The U.S. Department of Transportation recently awarded the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) a $12.4 million SMART Grant.
The agency will use funding to implement the Scalable Operations and Advanced Remote Technologies (SOAR) Initiative, a project using advanced drones that can fly long distances to areas where roads, trails and other infrastructure are difficult to access.
“Improving safety for Alaskans living and traveling in rural and remote areas of our state is part of Alaska DOT&PF’s mission,” Alaska DOT&PF Commissioner Ryan Anderson said. “This project will help modernize community decision-making through advanced technologies, information gathering, and communications about surface conditions, weather, temperatures, and information on special situations such as such as floods or fire.”
The initiative aims to use unmanned aircraft systems to monitor and respond to environmental and infrastructure challenges, reduce carbon emissions by integrating renewable energy sources, deploy advanced remote sensing and autonomous technologies, and create job opportunities in rural and underserved communities through work force development programs and partnerships with local organizations.