Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Undergraduate
group
What campus are you from?
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
Senior
Lead Presenter's Name
Janelle Drennan
Faculty Mentor Name
Dr. Flavio Antonio Coimbra Mendonca
Abstract
Abstract
Wildlife strikes are a growing safety and economic concern for the US aviation industry. In this ongoing study, our team has explored the use of uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) technologies by using thermal sensors to support data collection and analysis during simulated nighttime Wildlife Hazard Assessments (WHAs). Data has been collected between twilight and nightfall in a farmland area that is located approximately two nautical miles south of Daytona Beach International Airport. The research team has developed a Concept of Operations (CONOPs) to address safety risk management concepts and protocols to identify hazards and mitigate the associated risks with the safe operation of UAS in and around the airport environment. The safe application of UAS to streamline the WHA process is anticipated to provide several benefits to the airport operator, including task completion in reduced time, enhanced level of accuracy during the data collection process, reduced risks for the qualified airport wildlife biologist, and cost efficiencies. Most importantly, researchers are expecting to develop benchmark safety protocols that can facilitate the effective integration of UAS into the airport environment.
Did this research project receive funding support from the Office of Undergraduate Research.
Yes, SURF
Applications for Uncrewed Aircraft Systems at Night to Identify Hazardous Wildlife Species at Airport Environments
Abstract
Wildlife strikes are a growing safety and economic concern for the US aviation industry. In this ongoing study, our team has explored the use of uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) technologies by using thermal sensors to support data collection and analysis during simulated nighttime Wildlife Hazard Assessments (WHAs). Data has been collected between twilight and nightfall in a farmland area that is located approximately two nautical miles south of Daytona Beach International Airport. The research team has developed a Concept of Operations (CONOPs) to address safety risk management concepts and protocols to identify hazards and mitigate the associated risks with the safe operation of UAS in and around the airport environment. The safe application of UAS to streamline the WHA process is anticipated to provide several benefits to the airport operator, including task completion in reduced time, enhanced level of accuracy during the data collection process, reduced risks for the qualified airport wildlife biologist, and cost efficiencies. Most importantly, researchers are expecting to develop benchmark safety protocols that can facilitate the effective integration of UAS into the airport environment.