USING AN UNMANNED AIRBORNE DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEM (ADAS) FOR TRAFFIC SURVEILLANCE, MONITORING, AND MANAGEMENT

摘要

This paper presents the history of and current status of a U.S. DOT and NASA sponsored program designed to demonstrate the feasibility of using a small-unmanned airborne data acquisition system (ADAS) for traffic surveillance, monitoring, and management. ADAS is ideally suited for application in monitoring traffic flow, traffic congestion, and supporting ITS assets. GeoData Systems (GDS), Inc., with principal offices at 10565 Lee Highway, Suite 100, Fairfax, VA 22030 has developed a revolutionary new class of airborne data acquisition systems. In this effort, GDS has teamed with traffic experts DBR & Associates; P.O. Box 12300 Burke, VA The GDS ADAS has a gross takeoff weight of less than 55 lbs, which includes both the airframe and sensors. It is capable of sustained flight for periods in excess of two hours while carrying a sensor payload of up to 20 lbs. ADAS has nine interchangeable sensor platforms under development to include a hyper-spectral visible-near-IR sensor, a multi-spectral visible near-IR mid-IR sensor, a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) sensor, and a highly flexible high-resolution real-time video sensor. The GDS high-resolution real-time video sensor is ideally suited for traffic monitoring and other highway monitoring applications. The ADAS platform is capable of flying under a combination of pre-programmed Differential Global Positioning Satellite (DGPS) based navigation and manual direct ground control. The ADAS is being fully tested and is planned for use in several DOD base-monitoring studies this year. It should be noted that the ADAS has several levels of backup systems, which allows for a safe descent to the ground via parachute in a worst-case scenario. The system and any liability resulting from its use are fully insured by a major provider.