Date of Award

2016

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Biological & Agricultural Engineering

Abstract

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (drones) are being used by many industries through special use permits. Currently, the real estate industry leads in use of aerial vehicles for aerial views of property while agriculture follows at second being utilized to determine chemical and moisture content allowing the owners to treat the crops with the exact amount of chemical or water saving on cost of excessive treatment and possible crop loss. Drone use increased the visibility of real estate and also the profit margin of the agricultural business as well as the quality of the product being produced. Other industries are also using drones such as transmission line companies, oil companies and real estate companies. No complete legislation has been written to allow the use of drones in the FAA airspace for commercial use. Currently hobby use of below 400 feet and line of site including other restrictions are the only airspace allowed for the use of drones. It was mandated that the end of 2015, legislation will be written to allow drones for commercial use. This legislation was to address the safety factors of unmanned vehicles flying in the skies shared with manned vehicles such as passenger aircraft. This date has since past without a comprehensive legislation so section 333 of the FAA Modernization Reform Act allows an application for a case by case approval for commercial use. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors that are influencing the use of drones in the commercial building construction industry in the United States. In addition to the factors of proper legislation and safety, the legal and functional use of drones in construction will be addressed. This study was performed through research of existing bodies of influence such as the six test sites approved by the government to use and study drones to determine safety standards and help the government write legislation. This study also addresses universities that are studying and teaching as a curriculum, unmanned aerial vehicles. There was a survey sent to multiple construction companies and in the specialty trades to determine their knowledge and experience with UAV and possible uses that would benefit their business. The conclusion of the investigation leads to the need of construction companies and factors that will influence their adoption of UAV in their business to help overcome the labor shortage and loss of intellectual assets.

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