Webinar: AASHTO UAV/Drone User Work Group

Overview

This webinar will focus on the establishment of the UAV/Drone User Work Group at AASHTO, to highlight the recent National Cooperative Highway Research Project Domestic Scan 17-01 Successful Approaches for the Use of Unmanned Aerial Systems by Surface Transportation Agencies and to summarize the State DOT Panel at the Commercial UAV Expo.

Learning Objectives:

Peer Exchange opportunity to showcase establishment of UAV/Drone program within State DOTs and successful use case of UAV/drone technology.

Instructors:

Presenters

• Shayne Gill, Program Director for Multimodal Transportation, AASHTO
• Steve Cook, Michigan DOT: Steve Cook is the Engineer of Operations and Maintenance for the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). Cook has 35 years of infrastructure engineering related experience including Design, Construction, Maintenance, Operations and ITS/Connected Vehicle research, development, and deployment. He directs and manages MDOT’s Systems Operations and Maintenance Field Services Section. He is the MDOT project manager for the UAS research/deployment and provides technical assistance and statewide policy regarding the use of UAS. Cook is a member of both the AASHTO Committee on Transportation System Operations and AASHTO Committee on Maintenance and has participated on several NCHRP projects throughout his career. Cook graduate of Michigan State University in civil engineering and holds a master’s degree in business administration from Northwood University.
• Troy LaRue, Alaska DOT & PF – Members of the Domestic Scan Team: Troy LaRue is the Statewide Aviation Division Operations Manager for the State of Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities.  He started his carrier with the Department in 1997 as an equipment operator at the Dutch Harbor airport.  LaRue has worked as an Equipment Operator, Airport Manager, District Superintendent, before assuming his current position as Division Operations Manager.  He supervises three aviation sections that manage the airport capital improvement program for 240 airports, airport property management, aviation policy, aviation system planning, and airport operations and security.  LaRue has also been tasked with forming a UAS steering committee to establish operating standards for the department.  He is a certified member of AAAE and has over two decades of airport experience.
• Darshan Divakaran, NCDOT – Summary of Commercial UAV Expo – State DOT and National Panel: Darshan Divakaran is an aviation expert with expertise in manned & unmanned flight operations, flight safety, remote sensing, geospatial analysis and project management. He is the subject matter expert for the North Carolina Governor’s office, legislature and public safety agencies. In this role as UAS Program Engineer, he co-leads efforts to work with DOT and other state agencies, local government, industry, universities, and community colleges to integrate a statewide UAS program in North Carolina. He leads flight operations safety for NC UAS Integration Pilot Program. He has conducted extensive research on UAS applications and has educated agencies on its benefits. He is currently appointed to many national organizations and committees like AUVSI, ASTM, ANSI, NFPA, etc. that create UAS standards for commercial and public safety agencies. In addition, Darshan has also worked with several remote-sensing platforms, photogrammetry and GIS systems. He is also an FAA certified commercial Pilot with multi-engine rating. Darshan holds a Master of Geospatial Information Science and Technology degree from North Carolina State University and BS in Professional Aeronautics (with minor in Aviation Management) from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Target Audience:

• Anyone with an in interest in UAV/Drone Use is welcome to attend the webinar.
• Council on Aviation
• Committee on Bridges & Structures
• Committee on Communications
• Committee on Environment & Sustainability
• Committee on Maintenance
• Committee on Transportation System Operations