IDOT purchases drones for use

Posted on December 17, 2016

By Illinois Radio Network

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation has taken a step into the 21st century by purchasing two drones.

The drones, costing around nine thousand dollars, can be utilized for jobs like bridge-safety inspections to spotting for emergency responders after a tornado or a blizzard. IDOT spokesman Brian Williamsen explained that if the drones are successful, IDOT may look into purchasing more.

“It could do tasks ranging from surveying work, maybe getting some 3-D imaging, to maybe looking at highway work zones,” said Williamsen.

It takes two people to fly the drones – a pilot and a camera operator. Williamsen said IDOT tested the drones before the purchase was made.

“We’ve been using the drones at some larger-scale road construction projects that recently wrapped up,” said Williamsen. “One on I-57/I-70 by Effingham and another one on I-55 by Morton.”

Williamsen said while the drones will primarily be used for monitoring road work from the sky, there is a wide variety of ways drones could be used.

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