In this project, a Traffic Drone to alleviate automotive traffic issues was generated as a new, innovative application for drones.
Primary customers would include the Department of Transportation and Development, traffic maintenance companies and construction companies. With over 800,000 signals recorded in the U.S. in 2011, limited staff in traffic maintenance, and costs ranging from $250,000 to $500,000 to install new traffic systems, a fast, easily deployable and cost effective solution for temporary traffic lights is necessary.
The prototype design generated is a modular Traffic Drone that can address two possible scenarios: attaching to a traffic mast directly or hovering at an intersection when no mast is available. The dimensions of these two designs are 24”x 24”x 48” for the Mast Attachment and 20’’x 20’’x 24’’for the Hover Attachment. The overall design provides a faster, more convenient way to address traffic malfunctioning. Despite the concept being relatively new, the technological and engineering feasibility of the product strongly point to its successful development.