Eyes in the Sky: Drones Deliver Exceptional Services for Clients

Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), or drones, have become a ubiquitous tool for a wide range of different companies and agencies for their efficiencies, cost savings and service opportunities.

WSP is at the forefront of UAS technology implementation. The firm has approximately 70 pilots based throughout the U.S. and a fleet of UAS aircraft capable of a wide range of services.

“We have a diverse fleet of aircraft, consisting of both fixed wing and rotorcraft, and an outstanding roster of pilots doing amazing tasks for our clients,” said Paul Wheeler, WSP’s vice president of aerial innovation.

WSP pilots are in-house, with remote pilot airman certificates issued by the FAA, and have amassed thousands of combined flight hours in their operations with clients.

Those client-facing services are both specialized and diversified. The list includes land surveying, emergency response and infrastructure inspections, which can be especially useful in confused or otherwise dangerous spaces.

These drones can be used to inspect power lines and railways, or to collect water samples from potentially precarious sites such as mines or contaminated bodies of water. The technology can also be used for surveying on high-traffic roads, improving both public and worker safety without the need for closures.

There are also opportunities for construction monitoring, disaster assessment, crop health management and even snow depth analysis.

“If we’re working with a client with a vulnerable asset, such as a mine, then we can analyze the depth of snow at the scene and calculate how much can turn into water,” Wheeler said. “The drones can collect water samples in these mines while the pilots can control the operation from a safe environment, increasing the overall safety of the operation.”

WSP’s fixed wing UAS can be equipped with sensors for high-resolution image capture, as well as thermal and LiDAR scanners. When combined with AI learning, this data informs better designs and planning and is collected far more efficiently than conventional means.

“I once operated a land surveying job that would have taken me a month and a half conventionally with a GPS rover on the ground, because there were a lot of rolling hills, vegetation and trees in the way,” Wheeler said. “Instead, I was able to get the job done with just two flights in one day.

In addition to saving time, this technology can also save money in certain cases. For example, inspectors can use these drones for building facades and bridges to identify the specific areas that need closer, hands-on inspection, which leads to greater overall efficiencies.

“Those are the type of savings that you’re seeing,” Wheeler continued, “and at the same time you’re getting a higher density of data, as well, which will help to meet the data demands of the future with digital delivery and deep analysis.”

The technology behind UAS has immense potential for reducing cost, risk and time on numerous different pursuits. But none of that is possible unless the right pilots are part of these operations.

So what are the qualities of a good drone pilot?

“A good pilot typically has an interest in the technology to begin with, but in some cases it’s beneficial to add another tool to their toolbox and train the specialists how to fly UAS,” Wheeler said. “It simply ties very well into what we do as a company overall, which is why we want to push our program forward and provide even more safe and efficient services.”

The first step towards an effective UAS program is training. In addition to WSP having a robust internal UAS program, the firm is collaborating with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and state departments across the country to facilitate the necessary training and resources for up-and-coming drone programs.

A 2019 survey by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) illustrates the rapid deployment of UAS technologies nationwide, following the 2016 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Small Unmanned Aircraft Rule (Part 107).

According to AASHTO, only 45 percent of the state departments of transportation (DOTs) had drone operations in 2018. That increased to 72 percent in 2019, with 36 out of 50 state DOTs funding centers or programs for UAS operations. Today, all 50 state DOTs are investing in drones.

WSP is collaborating with the FHWA and eContent Consulting on a multidimensional training program designed to advance nationwide capability in UAS. Hosted by the National Highway Institute, the online courses in this program are the first UAS courses to be offered by FHWA and are designed to provide comprehensive learning experiences to enhance professional skills in UAS applications.

Additionally, WSP will lead 10 in-person peer exchange workshops for FHWA in partnership with local departments of transportation over the next year. These workshops will provide a hands-on opportunity for professionals to engage with UAS technology, share best practices and explore innovative applications.

Internally, WSP is refining its training curriculum for its UAS pilots, from the process of attaining a license to preparing for both written tests and practical, hands-on courses.

“My goal is to continually improve our capabilities and cross-training for advanced technologies for all of our pilots,” Wheeler said. “This will help us bring in more work and really stay competitive out there, because these tools become more and more common, which means they’re becoming even more ubiquitous within our industry.”

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