1. Introduction of sUAV & Use Cases

2. FAA & King County (WTD)- Regulations & Guideline 

3. KC WTD Use Cases 

small Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (sUAV) System

sUAV as Platform

Multi-rotors

Fixed wings

• Short flight time (< 20min)
• Cover small area
• Highly maneuverable
• Less expensive
• Access to confined spaces

• Long flight time (+ 30min)
• Covers large area
• Larger selection of sensors

 Sensors

Multi-spectral 

Thermal Infrared

Lidar Camera

High resolution digital camera

Workflow

1. Drone + Sensor        (Data Collection)

2. Data Processing & Analyzing (GIS)

3. Information Products

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+

Benefits

• Temporal Resolution
  • Can fly often

Offer decision makers with appropriate analytic information products

• Spatial Resolution
  • Monitor continuous changes
  • High Spatial resolution than Satellite, Plane
• More Data > More Knowledge > Better Decision Making

King County WTD

"Subject: WTD Policies on Use of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drones)

Managers/Supervisors: August, 2016

I’d like you to share the following policy guidance regarding the use of drones for work purposes with your staff as appropriate. The guidance specifically addresses the use of drones classified as small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), which weigh less than 55 lbs."

• No owning or operating drones by WTD

• Manager/Supervisor review and require Division Director approval

• 3rd Party to meet KC Risk Management requirements

Commercial/Governmental

FAA Part 107 Rule, July 2016

• Need FAA Remote Pilot Certification (Pilot license NOT needed)

• As of September 2017 -60,000 active remote pilot certificates

• Fly under 400 feet above ground level

• Not to fly < 5 nautical miles around airport

• Aircraft < 55 lbs.

• Fly during daytime

• Fly visual line of sight ( VLOS)

• No flight over non-participating people

FAA Part 107 Rule

2018 Commercial Drone Industry Trends

WTD Projects

• West Point Treatment Plant Incident Feb, 2017

Drone Flights = Clarification

Photo from Seattle Times

KC WTD Drone Flight

March, 2017

WTD Projects

• Floating Willow Raft Shade Study

• 4 Flights 2017 

• Consultant flys and generate shade analysis & report

• KC staff as an observer and in-house expert to develop work order & product review

WTD Projects

• West Point Treatment Plant Orthophoto

• October 2, 2017

• Over 600 images collected

• High Resolution 0.75 inch/piexel

WTD Projects

• Environmental Monitoring for Regulatory Reporting (3 Project sites)

• Brightwater Treatment Plant
• Kenmore Portal
• North Creek Interceptor

• ​Providing Very High Resolution Vegetation Photos
• Saving Staff time during detail site inspection

END

for now

Thank You

peter.keum@kingcounty.gov