A report published by the OECD’s International Transport Forum (ITF), presents policy options for the successful integration of drones into the transport system. It asks how countries can reap the benefits of drone transport while limiting risks? The report examines concerns about the acceptability, efficiency and sustainability of drone transport. The analysis covers passenger and freight drones with different payloads and ranges, and also addresses other drone uses that support the transport sector.
The report looks at potential markets and economic impacts of drones; considers societal impacts and acceptance of drones; reviews environmental impacts, assesses infrastructure requirements and relationships with existing infrastructure. It includes a series of recommendations:
- Establish clear objectives and priorities for the introduction of drone transport by identifying the best first use cases
- Design a communication strategy that directly addresses public concerns
- Clarify and develop drones’ status within the broader framework of aerospace regulation
- Co-ordinate with the drone industry to inform investment, development, and equitable policy making
- Foster the emergence of civil aviation authorities with interdisciplinary competencies and capabilities in order to integrate drones into the transport system
- Support the design and implementation of a robust Unmanned Air Traffic Management system
- Develop methods for assessing the impact of drones’ full life cycle on the environment
- Incorporate drone operations into long-term urban planning strategy using data and predictive models.
The International Transport Forum is an intergovernmental organisation with 62 member countries. It acts as a think tank for transport policy and organises the Annual Summit of transport ministers. ITF is the only global body that covers all transport modes. The ITF is politically autonomous and administratively integrated with the OECD.
ITF Research Reports are in-depth studies of transport policy issues of concern to ITF member countries. They present the findings of dedicated ITF working groups, which bring together international experts over a period of usually one to two years, and are vetted by the ITF Transport Research Committee.
For more information visit:
https://www.itf-oecd.org/sites/default/files/docs/take-off-integrating-drones-transport-system.pdf
