Following Hurricane Helene earlier this year and Florence in 2018, North Carolina has secured a grant to launch its latest drone program aimed at taking its disaster response efforts to the next level.
The program, operated by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), will see disaster response efforts strengthened across the state using drone-in-a-box technology, reports Police1. Which will deliver medicine and supplies to hard-to-access and dangerous areas as well as collect data, allowing authorities to assess the damage from above in a safer and more efficient manner.
Drone-in-a-box systems are exactly what the name suggests, drones housed in protective boxes. These systems are designed to be stationed in remote locations and operated remotely, enabling safer operations while significantly reducing response times in critical situations.
“We are thrilled!” shared Nick Short, interim director of North Carolina’s Division of Aviation. “With the ‘drone in a box,’ we can place a drone with medicine like insulin on the side of a road and then those supplies are there and ready to be deployed right away.
We will be able to deploy the drone remotely, so we can begin collecting data and delivering supplies without having to wait on someone to respond by driving into the area. In doing so, we’re also removing the risk of putting people in further danger during a natural disaster.”
A $1.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, a part of the Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grants Program, will fund the initiative, making NCDOT one of 47 who received funding across the U.S.
The NCDOT’s Division of Aviation will first pilot the program in Lumberton, a city that’s been significantly affected by past hurricanes, including Hurricane Florence, which left nearly half of the city flooded.
The grant will cover the costs of research, public engagement, and studies during the pilot program. This includes working with the people of Lumberton and surrounding areas to address any concerns they might have about Drone Technology.
“These storms tend to impact people in historically disadvantaged communities where roads and other infrastructure become inundated faster and for longer periods of time than many other communities. That was true in Lumberton during Hurricane Florence and is one of the main reasons we’re piloting this program there,” Short added.
Meanwhile, state officials will continue to evaluate other areas for the drone-in-a-box tech to be trialed at as well.
It’s great to see drone-in-a-box technology being pushed by officials in an effort to improve their response to disasters. The technology has clear benefits when it comes to safety and efficiency, especially when operated in disaster scenarios. If all goes well with the pilot program in North Carolina, it likely won’t be long before other states expand their use of the technology as well.
Image NC Division of Aviation via X
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