Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs, or drones) are being used successfully in many visual-line-of-sight applications such as surveying, photography, inspection, and monitoring. Interest in their use for logistics (payload delivery) is also increasing, and this chapter addresses the planning and operational issues that need to be considered if drones are to become a routine part of future freight logistics systems. Key conclusions include that drone logistics operations are emerging against a challenging backdrop of new and evolving policies and regulations, with an urgent need for shared airspace solutions to enable drones to fly beyond-visual-line-of-sight, integrated with existing crewed aircraft. Risk minimization, service reliability, and landing site availability are also issues to address. Analyses suggest that drones may offer journey time savings over traditional surface-based transportation, particularly in remote and geographically challenging areas, but this may be associated with costs and emissions disbenefits, raising concerns over the true value of expedited deliveries. Healthcare applications tend to be seen as socially positive, but successful expansion of drone logistics for routine freight transport is likely to rely on engagement with all stakeholders.
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)