USE OF UAS FOR IMPROVED CRASH RECONSTRUCTION Faster Clearance Rick Via, Assistant Division Administrator Of Traffic Operations October 02, 2018
Goals & Objectives Goals: Reduce delays on interstates during crash reconstruction events Reduce the time to complete crash reconstruction Objectives: 1. Improve the response time to incidents with reconstruction activities 2. Reduce the data collection time for accident investigations 3. Obtain immediate documentation availability 4. Utilizing state of the art technologies 5. Improve safety by enhancing collision reconstruction efforts 3
Current State of Play Interstate Roadway Delay In FY 2017, total cost associated with the delay due to fatal crashes on the interstates was $6.9M The median roadway clearance time for fatal crashes is 203 minutes on interstates. The average user delay costs per interstate incident is $62K. Measure Median Roadway Clearance Time Fatal Crashes Only (minutes) All Incidents (minutes) (All travel lanes open) 203 30 Source: VA Traffic, FY15-FY17 4
Fatal Crashes on All Highways in Virginia July 1, 2014 June 30, 2017 5
Fatal Crashes on All Highways in Virginia July 1, 2014 June 30, 2017 6
Fatal Crashes on Interstate Highways in Virginia July 1, 2014 June 30, 2017 7
Fatal Crashes on Interstate Highways in Virginia July 1, 2014 June 30, 2017 8
Current Proccess - Crash Reconstruction VSP drives to scene from Division HQ (7 total) Drive time ranges from 5 minutes to 120 minutes VSP uses laser scanning or terrestrial scanners Photograph time ranges from 60 to 90 minutes Law enforcement has sole authority and sole equipment ownership 9
SB 508 Unmanned aircraft systems; use by Department of State Police and Department of Transportation. Introduced by: Charles W. Carrico, Sr. SUMMARY AS PASSED: Unmanned aircraft system; public bodies. Allows an unmanned aircraft system to be deployed without a warrant (i) by a law-enforcement officer to survey the scene of an accident for the purpose of crash reconstruction and record photographic or video images of the scene and (ii) by the Department of Transportation when assisting a law-enforcement officer to prepare a report of such accident because of personal injury, death, or property damage of $1,500 or more. This bill is identical to HB 1482. Virginia Department of Transportation
Example UAS usage Independent Analysis NCDOT estimates using drones will reduce the time it takes troopers to reconstruct a crash 11
Proposed Enhancement - Crash Reconstruction In support of Pilot - Acquire Up to 10 UAS (Drones) VSP and/or VDOT drives to scene to deliver and launch UAS Drive time ranges from 5 minutes to 90 minutes VSP pilots drone to photograph site in support of investigation Photograph time ranges from 20 to 40 minutes VDOT assigns or facilitates access to UAS resources by dispatching a VDOT Regional Incident Management Coordinator, or Safety Service Patrol Supervisor. 12
Designated Pilot Zones In Partnership with Virginia State Police VDOT Northern Region (NRO) & VSP Division 7 VDOT Northwest Region (NWRO) & VSP Division 2 & 6 VDOT Southwest Region (SWRO) & VSP Division 4 Virginia Department of Transportation
Training Milestones & Schedule To Date: 4 VDOT & 10 VSP - UAS Pilot candidates have been trained on the Airman s course and Flying Practical's 3 of 4 VDOT IMC s have taken & have successfully passed the Part 107 Test 4 of 10 VSP have taken & have successfully passed the Part 107 Test Scheduled: 10/17/2018 - UAS Drone Flying Practical (Roanoke, VA) 10/22/2018 & 10/23/2018 - UAS Part 107 Drone Pilot Airman s Course (Richmond TOC) 6 VDOT and 10 VSP Pilot Candidates are scheduled to receive a 2-day course of instruction Virginia Department of Transportation
Completed and Next Steps Next Steps Train the remaining students Finalize Standard Operating Procedures Identify / Sustainable Funding Purchase and deploy UAS units Evaluate pilot project and determine it s future Virginia Department of Transportation
TEAM A special thanks to the team: Rick Via - VDOT Operations Division ricky.via@vdot.virginia.gov Robert Rabe VDOT Operations Division robert.rabe@vdot.virginia.gov David Register - Iteris Rod Shuck - Metatron First Sergeant Neil Johnson - Virginia State Police Questions? Virginia Department of Transportation