Skip to main content
2026 ASCE T&DI Transportation Conferences Main banner
Icon Legend
This session is not in your schedule.
This session is in your schedule. Click again to remove it.

ICTD 2026

Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS)

UAS Applications in Transportation Infrastructure Systems - I

Infrastructure Remote Sensing with Small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems: Challenges and Way Forward

Tuesday, June 30, 2026
1:30 PM - 1:45 PM East Coast USA Time
Abstract: The application of remote sensing using small uncrewed aircraft systems (sUAS) in transportation infrastructure has facilitated rapid, comprehensive, and real-time data inspection of pavements, bridges, railways, ongoing construction, traffic, erosion, and sediment control devices, among other applications, at varying scales and in difficult-to-access locations. As opportunities have multiplied, sUAS adoption has surged across U.S. agencies, including state departments of transportation. In response to the trends, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has established rules and regulations governing operations and compliance. Beyond the benefits documented in prior studies, it is essential to identify the limitations and challenges that arise during the sUAS deployment for infrastructure monitoring tasks. Implicit in the adoption of sUAS are critical factors that, if not well identified and prepared for, could frustrate the entire workflow. While some of these factors are already presented in the FAA guides, other factors were extrapolated from lessons learned during practical applications. Drawing on our experience conducting various sUAS-based infrastructure monitoring projects, we discuss the common critical factors that impact the typical workflow of sUAS-based infrastructure monitoring in this paper. We also present practical pathways to mitigate the challenges arising from oversights of these factors, paving the way for seamless and effective adoption of sUAS.

Learning Objectives:

Attendees can expect to learn the following from this session:
  • network and engage with industry experts
  • Share lessons learned with academic advisors
  • Attend sessions and discuss innovative ideas