Drone Technology: Mitigation and Monitoring

July 19, 2018

AASHTO Committee on Environment and Sustainability

Tammy Nicholson

Office of Location and Environment

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Drone Aerial Photography

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Stanley Mill Mitigation Site

Today

• Basics of Mitigation

• Advancements in Photography and Technology

• Iowa DOT Office of Location and Environment Progression of Drone Use

• Future Use of Drones

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Basics of Mitigation• Site Selection

• Baseline Information

• Mitigation Work Plan

• Site Monitoring, Maintenance, & Management

• Stanley Mill Example

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Site Selections

Stanley Mill Mitigation Site Pre- Construction

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Stanley Mill Mitigation Site Soil Map

Baseline Information

Stanley Mill Mitigation Site Hydric Soil Rating

Wetland Delineation Form

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Mitigation Work Plan, Monitoring, and Maintenance

• Mitigation Site Designs

• Plans

• Methods

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Mitigation Site Monitoring Report

Stanley Mill

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Stanley Mill DesignStanley Mill Flyover (7/6/18)

79.4 Acre Emergent Wetland (PEM)

146.3 Acre of Tree Planting

305 Acre Boundary

Advancements in Technology & Photography

• GPS Units

• Ground Photography

• Pole Aerial Photography

• Drone Aerial Photography

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GPS Units

• Backpack GPS Units• Hand-held GPS

• (~1 meter Accuracy)

• Real-Time Kinematic• (RTK, +/- inch)

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Ground Photography

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Pole Aerial Photography

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Stanley Mill Mitigation Site

Drone Aerial Photography

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Stanley Mill Mitigation Site

OLE Drone Progression

• Hiring consultants

• Partnering with DOT Office of Aviation & Design

– Limited Availability

• Staff Training

• OLE Drone Purchase

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Partnering with Consultants & DOT Offices

• Provide Services to OLE

– Water Resources

– Cultural

– T & E

• Price Range (Consultants)

– ($3,000-$5,000+) Per Flight

• Limited Availability from DOT Offices

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Staff Training

• Gleim Aviation – Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

– Online Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate

– $205.00 (Study Material and Exam)

• Three Staff Members

– Available to Entire Office

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OLE Drone Purchase• DJI Phantom 4 Pro- $2,298.00

– Includes Drone, Insurance, and Accessories

– Limited software covered under our Esri Arc GIS Package

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OLE Drone Implementation• Identified mitigation project opportunity

• Office of Aviation (Development Champion) flies proof of concept

• OLE identifies office champion, gets employees Part 107 certified, and secures unmanned aircraft system

• Office of Aviation flies “with” OLE pilots

• OLE pilots fly “solo” (license to learn)

• Champions continue to ensure a culture that follows regulations, maintains equipment, and promotes safety

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Future Uses

• Mitigation Site Monitoring

• Pre/Post Construction Viewing

• LIDAR & 3D Modeling

• Cultural Resource Viewing

• Threatened and Endangered Species

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Mitigation Site Monitoring

20https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lqDgdhIz5E

Pre/Post Construction Viewing

21https://www.youtube.com/embed/4xJyQn1tGho

LIDAR & 3D Modeling

Indian Slough Wetland Mitigation Site 3D- Point Cloud Map

Indian Slough Wetland Mitigation Surface Model

Indian Slough Wetland Mitigation Site Relief Map

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Cultural and T&E Sites

Thermal Bat Survey at Skin Away Creek

3D Model of Indian Burial Mound

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OLE Drone Technology • Have a Champion to ensure a culture that follows regulations,

maintains equipment and promotes safety

• Have a plan, fly the mission, be done

• Walk before you run!

• Like any technology, keep evaluating its use and opportunities for efficiencies and quality improvements

• Make it a win for taxpayers!

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Thank You!