Aviation

KDOT testing drones for bridge, tower inspections

By Jerry Siebenmark

jsiebenmark@wichitaeagle.com
Inspectors from the Kansas Department of Transportation use a drone to examine a bridge as part of a new testing program the agency has launched.
Inspectors from the Kansas Department of Transportation use a drone to examine a bridge as part of a new testing program the agency has launched. Kansas Department of Transportation Courtesy photo

The Kansas Department of Transportation last week began testing the use of drones for bridge and tower inspections.

KDOT said in a news release on Monday that using unmanned aerial systems could increase safety for inspectors examining such structures as well as save money.

“We believe UAS may reduce the need to place our engineers in potentially dangerous situations and we intend to pursue every opportunity that makes them more efficient,” Acting Transportation Secretary Richard Carlson said in the release.

Jerry Siebenmark: 316-268-6576, @jsiebenmark

This story was originally published November 7, 2016 at 3:04 PM with the headline "KDOT testing drones for bridge, tower inspections."

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