Overview
Three State DOTs were selected as part of the FAA’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration Pilot Program. This webinar will focus on the activities of these state DOTs. According to the FAA press release announcing these pilot program sites, “Data gathered from these pilot projects will form the basis of a new regulatory framework to safely integrate drones into our national airspace.” said Secretary Elaine L. Chao. Leaning Objectives: Peer Exchange opportunities among state DOT members.
Moderators
Shayne H. Gill, Program Director for Multimodal Transportation, AASHTO
Presenters
Basil Yap, UAS Program Manager, NC Department of Transportation, Division of Aviation Russ Buchholz, Director, Strategic and Innovation Director of Transportation Systems / UAS Integration Program Administrator, ND Department of Transportation
Russ Buchholz is the Strategy and Innovation Director of Transportation Systems for the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) in Bismarck, North Dakota, overseeing strategic and IT operations for the department since 2007. Russ currently serves as the Vice-Chair for the National Transportation Committee on Transportation Systems Operations (CTSO), the National Transportation representative to FirstNet’s Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC), and is a member of the National Academics Transportation Research Board concerning Cybersecurity for Intelligent Traffic Systems (ITS). In addition to his current assignment, Russ was chosen as NDDOT’s Program Administrator for North Dakota’s U.S. DOT/FAA Integrated Pilot Program (IPP) for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).
Bob Brock, Kansas DOT Bob Brock, a Kansas native, is an alumnus of Pittsburg State University and Texas Christian University with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management and a Master’s Degree in Human Resource Development from Webster University. Prior to joining KDOT, Bob served a 22-year career in the Air Force. An instrument-rated commercial fixed-wing and helicopter instructor pilot, he now serves as the Director of Aviation & UAS for the Kansas Department of Transportation.