SWUTC Research Project Description

Title of Project: Use of Micro Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (MUAVs) for Roadside Condition and Inventory Surveys

Project Number:  476660-00019

Principal Investigator:
Nasir Gharaibeh
(979) 845-3362
P.I. Affiliation:  Texas A&M University

Project Monitor:
Steve Schmidt
Texas Department of Transportation
Technology Services Division
GPS/GIS/Photogrammetry Branch
(512) 465-3659

Project Status:  Active

Date Started:  9/1/09

Estimation Completion Date:  8/31/10

Estimated Cost - Current Fiscal:  $65,475

Estimated Cost - Total Planned:  $65,475

Project Summary:
Project Abstract:
The goal of this study is to enhance the data collection methods for roadside condition and inventory through the use of micro unmanned aerial vehicles (MUAVs).  MUAVs that are equipped with digital still and video cameras, and Global Positioning System (GPS) provide a potential opportunity for improving the effectiveness and safety of roadside condition and inventory surveys.  The specific objectives are: a) assess the quality of MUAV-based roadside condition and inventory surveys, and b) evaluate the operational performance of MUAVs by monitoring flight performance (e.g., speed, altitude, quality of images) under various field conditions.  The literature will be reviewed to identify and summarize current practices in data collection methods for roadway condition and inventory.  A series of field experiments will be designed and conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of MUAVs. It is envisioned that these field experiments will be conducted at Texas A&M’s Riverside campus.  The results of this research can potentially be used by transportation agencies to make better informed decisions regarding the adoption of MUAVs for automated aerial roadside condition and inventory surveys.

Project Objectives:
The primary goal of this study is to enhance the data collection methods for roadside condition and inventory through the use of MUAVs.  The specific objectives are:

• Assess the quality of MUAV-based roadside condition and inventory surveys.
• Evaluate the operational performance of MUAVs by monitoring flight performance (e.g., speed, altitude, quality of images) under various field conditions.

Task Descriptions:
Task 1: Summarize Current Practices in Data Collection Methods for Roadway Inventory and Condition
In this task, information on current practices and methods for roadway condition and inventory will be gathered from the literature.  The literature review will address critical data collection issues such as hardware, software, frequency of data collection, data integration, and usage of data.

Task 2: Review and Acquire MUAV
The purpose of this task is twofold: 1) identify appropriate MUAV for use in this study by evaluating published specifications and prices of off-the-shelf MUAVs, and 2) purchase the most promising off-the-shelf MUAV. 

Generally, the selected MUAV is expected to be equipped with a handheld controller, video and still camera system, a GPS unit, and a charge station.  To ensure that the selected MUAV model is suitable for the field experiments, the evaluation of off-the-shelf MUAVs (first part of Task 2) will be performed in conjunction with the design of the field experiments (first part of Task 3).  Thus, the selected MUAV will be purchased after the field experiments are designed.

Task 3: Design and Conduct Field Experiments
The purpose of this task is to design and conducted a set of a field experiments that allow for evaluating the effectiveness of MUAVs for roadside inventory and condition data collection.  Specifically, the following investigations will be carried out:

1. Perform inventory and LOS condition surveys on a group of 0.1-0.5-mi roadside sections using two inspection methods:  1) manual (i.e., ground truth), and 2) digital images (still and video) collected via an MUAV.
2. Assess the quality of MUAV roadside surveys by statistically comparing the data obtained from manual ground surveys and data extracted from MUAV images.
3. Evaluate the operational performance of MUAVs by monitoring flight performance (e.g., speed, altitude, quality of images) under various field conditions (e.g., wind and lighting).

It is envisioned that these experiments will be conducted at Texas A&M’s Riverside Campus.

Task 4: Document and Disseminate Results
The objective of this task is to document the research activities and disseminate the project findings.  This includes:

• Submitting at least one technical paper for publication and presentation at relevant journals and conferences.  Candidate avenues include the Transportation Research Board (TRB) annual meeting and journal, and the Journal of Infrastructure Systems.
• Conducting field demonstrations for:

1. civil engineering students at Texas A&M University, and
2. personnel from at least one highway agency, such as the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).

• A final report that documents the whole study and results.

Index Terms: