Abstract
The research effort, GEOSFAIR, developed effective methodologies for integrating
uncrewed aircraft systems (UASs - which include aircraft, sensors, and flight
operations software) and UAS-collected data into the present Norwegian Public Roads
Administrations (NPRA) decision support system for geohazard risk assessment. This
effort considered both decision-making requirements and UAS aircraft, sensors, and
software specifications.
The goals addressed as part of GEOSFAIR included the following:
• Identify and evaluate UASs that are suitable for NPRA's geohazard
applications.
• Specify requirements for adoption of UAS by decision makers within the NPRA
and by other road owners and transportation organizations.
• Test UASs and UAS collected data under realistic field conditions and first
evaluation of results.
• Develop software and tools that provide usable information and allow rapid
integration and support of UAS operations and data into the NPRA decisionmaking processes.
The specific tasks completed as part of GEOSFAIR were as follows:
• Identified UAS requirements.
• Made recommendations for sensor technologies.
• Automated mission execution.
• Automated data processing workflow.
• Created 3D rendering and an application programming interface (API) plug-in
for the resulting data.
• Consolidated requirements for UAS use.
• Tested UASs under field conditions.
• Interpretated and validated the data.
• Developed decision support philosophies.
• Developed data management and utilization.
• Developed organizational requirements.
• Identified other geohazard applications.
• Documented and disseminated results.
The following were the guiding research questions of GEOSFAIR:
• How UASs provide data in support of roadside avalanche monitoring.
• Whether UASs provide data replacement or just enhance existing tools that
the NPRA currently employ.
GEOSFAIR – Geohazard Survey from Air (2021 – 2024): Final report
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• Whether UAS operations provide useful and timely coverage in locations of
avalanche hazard.
• How UASs can be used operationally in steep terrain and in a range of
lighting and weather conditions.
• How UASs can be operated remotely and fly autonomously to gather data.
• How new technology can be successfully and economically integrated with
the NPRA’s current decision-making processes.
The following are the conclusions drawn from GEOSFAIR:
• UASs can be successfully operated by the NPRA.
• Both real-time kinematics (RTK) and non-RTK positioning systems for flying
UASs are needed.
• The NPRA does not need to design its own software or other tools.
• Sensors are useful, with the most useful being cameras and photogrammetry,
but lidar and ground penetrating radar are also useful.
• The findings suggest that all the NPRA’s geohazard experts should be UAS
pilots.
• Drone garages will be useful to the NPRA.
• Operation and Maintenance contractors hired by the NPRA should have UAS
pilots and equipment.