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IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 4, 2020

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For more information:
Bob Brock

785.296.2553

 

KDOT demonstrates disaster response using drones

Agency continues efforts in national UAS program called BEYOND

 

 

The Kansas Department of Transportation’s Division of Aviation completed a field exercise recently in Rossville to demonstrate the capabilities of drones being used for infrastructure inspections and disaster response.

 

Bridge inspectors, public safety officials, universities and UAS manufacturers worked side-by-side with KDOT team members on this exercise. The Capabilities Exercise, or CAPEX, showed how drones can –

  • save time and money on transportation infrastructure inspections;

  • allow state agencies to examine disaster sites in emergency response situations;

  • and expand economic opportunities through transportation using innovative technologies.

 

“Safety is our top priority and we seek every opportunity to employ better transportation solutions for citizens across our state,” said Kansas Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz.

 

In October 2017, KDOT was selected as one of nine participants in the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration Pilot Program, a three-year program that concluded Oct. 25.

 

“KDOT was an important partner in the first UAS IPP,” said U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran.  “I look forward to witnessing the future accomplishments of our state in this new program and will continue advocating at the federal level on their behalf.”

 

The FAA decided to continue the partnerships to tackle remaining UAS integration challenges and further drone research with the BEYOND program. KDOT is one of eight participants to continue in the research effort.

 

The drone demonstration in Rossville was one of the first events to take place as part of BEYOND, “which will continue to advance the safe integration of drones into our national air space,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

 

“We appreciate Secretary Chao’s confidence in our team and our exercise last week demonstrates our enthusiasm for achieving the goals of this program,” said Bob Brock, KDOT Director of Aviation. 

 

“We are highly enthused to partner with Kansas as they consistently demonstrate strong leadership in aviation,” said Joe Miniace, Federal Aviation Administration Regional Administrator.

There are 44 state agency, university and technology partners have been selected to join the KDOT team in their efforts in the BEYOND program.

 

(CUTLINE - KDOT employees operate drones as part of the infrastructure inspections exercises that took place recently in Rossville.)

 

Current members of the KDOT Beyond team include:

  • Aerion Supersonic

  • AeroVironment

  • AgEagle

  • Airmap

  • Alaris

  • Alynix/GBA

  • ATT FirstNet

  • Black and Veatch

  • Evergy

  • FlightSafety International

  • Flytrex

  • Fortem Tech

  • Garmin International

  • Garver

  • Iris Automation

  • Kansas Board of Regents

  • Kansas Bureau of Investigation

  • Kansas Farm Bureau

  • Kansas Department of Agriculture

  • Kansas Department of Commerce

  • Kansas Department of Education

  • Kansas Department of Transportation

  • Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks

  • Kansas Highway Patrol

  • Kansas Sheriff's Association

  • Kansas State University

  • Kittyhawk

  • Lemasters Group

  • MediGo

  • MissionGo

  • Phase One

  • Pitsco Education

  • Pulse Aero

  • ResilienX

  • Silent Falcon

  • Skydio

  • Textron

  • UAV Factory

  • University of Kansas

  • UPS Flight Forward

  • Verizon

  • Vigilent Inc

  • Wichita State University

  • Zing

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This information can be made available in alternative accessible formats upon request.

For information about obtaining an alternative format, contact the KDOT Communications Office,

700 SW Harrison St., 2nd Fl West, Topeka, KS 66603-3754 or phone 785-296-3585 (Voice)/Hearing Impaired.

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