HomeMy WebLinkAboutPolicies - Public Worksa
Memo
To: Honorable Board of County Cori
From: Dave Bren, PE, MSCE
County Road Engineer
Date: May 11, 2022
Re: Public Works Policy Adoption
Unmanned Aerial Systems (Drone) Policy (PW #22-01)
Legislative History: Financial Impact:
• First Presentation: May 10, 2022 = • Initial Equipment Cost: $ 2,500
• Second Presentation: e May 17, 2022 = • Annual Software Cost: $ 39000
• Action Requested: Motion to Approve
Overview
The Public Works Department is expanding its Engineering
and Surveying capabilities by implementing drone
operations. With the adoption of a Public Works Drone
Policy, it will allow the Engineering Division to fly drones
for 4k imagery, surveying, and inspections.
The high-quality data collected from these drone operations
will aid the Engineering Division in many areas. Drone data
includes:
4k ImaLyes: Provide high quality orthophotos,
inspections, construction progress reports, and to
capture points of interest that would otherwise be
inconvenient, hard to reach, or dangerous for
humans.
High Quality Videos: Present site conditions to people, within minutes, without needing them to visit the site.
Also, can be used to show finished projects on the County website and Commission Reports.
Orthophotos: Provides a high-quality overall image of the entire site regardless of size, can be used behind
AutoCAD linework to accurately represent current day site conditions.
"To meet current and future needs, serving together with public and privelte entities, while fostering a respeotful and successful
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Point Clouds: Used to generate survey grade topographic maps.
Fiscal and Policy Implications
A new Phantom 4 Pro version 2 with supporting kit will cost $2,500 for the Public Works Department. Service
life is typically (3) Years for Drones. The Pix4D Mapper Software costs $3,000 per year. The Pix4D Mapper
software is required to achieve engineering grade work products including orthophotos and contours. The long-
term operations, training, and maintenance is also fiscal consideration.
Commission Packet Attachment
A. Public Works Drone Policy (PW #22-01)
Action Requested
Public Works Staff requests that the Commission approve the Public Works Unmanned Aerial Systems (Drone)
Policy as presented.
"To meet current and" future heads, serving together with puhlie and private entities, while fostering, a respectful and SUOGess'ul
work environment,"
Information .................................................(509) 754-6082 Dave Bren, PE, County Road Engineer .................. Ext. 3502 Ed Lowry, Supervisor -Dist. No. 1 ................................ Ext. 3540
FAX...............................................................(509) 754-6087 Bob Bersanti, Construction Engineer .................... Ext. 3503 Mike DeTrolio, Supervisor -Dist. No. 2 ........................ Ext. 3591
E-mail ............................. publicworks@grantcountywa.gov Loc Ohl, Accountant Lead ....................................... Ext. 3555 John Brissey, Supervisor -Dist. No. 3 ........................... Ext. 3541
Sam Castro, Public Works Director ....................Ext. 3504 Rod Follett, Foreman -Sign Shop ............................ Ext. 3579 John Spiess, Supervisor -Central Shop ............. (509) 754-6086
Samuel Dart, Assistant Director .........................Ext. 3519 Jason Collings, Solid Waste .......................... (509) 754-4319 Andy Booth, Bridge Supervisor .................................... Ext. 3535
Grant County Public Works
Operational Policy
PW #22-01
Unmanned Aerial Systems
(Drone) Policy
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR AUTHORIZATION
The preparation of this policy was authorized by me.
recommAd that this p +'cy ppro ed.
r�
Public Works Director
COUNTY ENGINEER STATEMENT
This policy has been prepared by me or was prepared
under my direct supervision. I have examined this policy
an comme� that it b ro
Canty Road Engine
DRONE POLICY PW #22-01
EFFECTIVE 05-17-2022
BOARD OF GRANT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
r
Danny E. St e, Chair-,
s, /ice -Chair
Cindy Carter, Member
PAGE :1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PURPOSE AND SCOPE
3
POLICY STATEMENT
3
DEFINITIONS
3
PROTECTION OF CIVIL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY
4
ADMINISTRATION
5
ORGANIZATION
5
OPERATIONS
5
SAFETY
6
TRAINING
6
EQUIPMENT
7
MAINTENANCE
7
RETENTION AND PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF AERIAL IMAGING
7
ACCIDENT REPORTING AND REVIEW
7
PLANNED DEPARTMENT USES
8
CITATIONS & REFERENCES
8
DRONE POLICY PW #22-01
EFFECTIVE 05-17-2022 PAGE:2
GRANT COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS POLICY
UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS
PW #22-01
Grant County Public Works is dedicated to embracing technologies that help improve its
services while protecting the safety of its residents. The use of drones in the public interest
is expected to benefit residents and visitors to the County through the more efficient use of
County resources.
1. PURPOSE AND SCOPE:
The purpose of the Grant County Public Works Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) is to
support and augment Grant County Public Work's operations, through improved
efficiency with aerial equipment and create new opportunities to provide for the health,
safety and welfare of the public and Grant County Public Works staff. This UAS Policy
and associated procedures are intended to ensure the safe and responsible operation of the
County's unmanned aircraft, regardless of the nature of the mission.
2. POLICY STATEMENT:
Unmanned Aerial Systems provide Grant County Public Works with the ability to safely
and cost-effectively augment government services, improve efficiency of various tasks and
improve the safety of the public and county staff. We believe it prudent to maintain
personnel trained in the use of unmanned aircraft systems and to use this resource to protect
life and property and to support Grant County Public Works department in providing
transportation services to Grant County citizens. Grant County Public Works staff are
authorized to utilize the UAS and associated technologies when it provides cost efficiency,
improved data quality, or improved personnel safety over an existing method or process.
Examples of permitted uses include, but are not limited to, aerial photography,
photogrammetry, bridge inspections, geotechnical field investigations, Light Detection and
Ranging (LiDAR) applications, public outreach, mapping construction sites and conditions,
and disaster response/training exercises. Nothing in this policy shall be construed as to
restrict the safe, rapid deployment of a County -owned or contracted UAS in response to an
emergency or exigent situation to protect life and limb, critical transportation and
infrastructure. Safety and privacy concerns are priorities in the implementation of the
program.
3. DEFINITIONS:
AGL: Above Ground level.
COA: Certificate of Waiver or Authorization issued by the FAA granting permission of
the requesting agency operating as public aircraft for a specific UAS activity.
FAA: Federal Aviation Administration.
FARs: Federal Aviation Regulations. For the purpose of conducting civil (s)UAS
operations this is generally 14 CFR Part 107 and Advisory Circular 107-2.
GCS: Ground Control System System of personnel and equipment which controls the
UAV flight operation, and sends and receives data or media during a UAS Mission.
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NAS: National Air Space
Non -Participant: A person not involved in the event or operation, however in the area of
or directly affected by the UAS flight or operation such as members of the media or by-
standers.
(s)UAS: (Small) Unmanned Aircraft System [14 CFR Part 107] UAV, GCS, flight
cameras, data and media collection systems. A (s)UAS is greater than .55Ibs and less
than 55Ibs in flight.
UAS Flight Team: The group of individuals responsible for the implementation of
any UAS Mission authorized by this policy. This includes at minimum one UAV PIC
and one UAV Observer. This may also include UAV PMC.
UAS Mission: A Flight operation performed by a UAV including planning, pre-
flight operations, deployment, operation of the UAV and post -flight operations.
UAS Program Manager: Person designated by Pend Oreille County Public Works
Director to manage and implement the UAS Program.
UAS Participant: A person participating in an event under County operations with an
ongoing UAS Mission.
UAV: Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (a.k.a. Drone).
UAV Observer: Visual Observer Person acting as safety officer in direct contact
with UAV PIC and UAV PMC during UAS mission responsible for relaying
observations and hazards to the UAV PMC and to maintain situational awareness of
GCS environment and UAV flight environment.
UAV PIC: Pilot in Command UAV Pilot remotely in control of a County UAV
and is the final authority over UAV operations during a UAS Mission; provided, that
all missions will be conducted in accordance with approved Project guidelines and
parameters. A UAV PIC must be in control or able to immediately take manual
control of a UAV in flight at all times and must be certified under Pend Oreille
County UAS Program to be a PIC for UAS Missions and hold a valid FAA Remote
Pilot Certification with a (s)UAS rating.
UAV PMC: Person Manipulating Controls —Person certified through Pend Oreille
County UAS Program to operate a UAV in flight during a UAS Mission. The PMC
must have a valid FAA Remote Pilot Certification with a (s)UAS rating or be under the
direct supervision of a PIC who has the ability to immediately take manual control a
UAV in flight at all times.
Unprocessed UAV Data: digital data collected by a UAV during UAS missions that
is still in its original and unaltered state.
4. PROTECTION OF CIVIL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY:
UAS Program Manager and all UAS Flight Team members will ensure the protection of
civil rights and reasonable expectations of privacy are key components in any decision to
deploy the UAV. UAS Program Manager and all UAS Flight Team members will
minimize the extent that UAV operations intrude on the citizens of Grant County, by
taking precautions to avoid capturing images of the public except those that are incidental
to the project.
DRONE POLICY PW #22-01
EFFECTIVE 05-17-2022 PAGER
a. UAS Program Manager and all UAS Flight Team members will limit
operations to the specific approved purpose of the project and shall employ
reasonable
b. All videos and still images will be maintained in strict compliance with
Grant County policies and procedures.
C. The Grant County Public Works UAS program will operate strictly within the
current federal, state and local laws and regulations.
d. Grant County Public Works will not share Unprocessed UAV Data with other
Grant County departments, other Local Governments, State agencies or Federal
agencies unless such sharing is specified within the original purpose of the UAS
mission or if such sharing has been directed by the Grant County Board of
County Commissioners.
5. ADMINISTRATION:
a. The policies and procedures contained in this document are issued by the
authority of the Grant County Board of County Commissioners.
b. This manual is considered a supplement to existing Grant County policy, FAA
regulations and policy, Washington State regulations and UAV aircraft
manufacturer's flight operations manual.
c. This manual will be reviewed annually and updated when other rules,
regulations or policy require changes or when changes are deemed necessary.
6. ORGANIZATION:
a. UAV operated by the Grant County Public Works Department are considered
"Public Aircraft Operations" by the FAA. FAA Regulation 14 CFR Part 107 and
Advisory Circular 107-2 and/or the COA issued by the FAA is the authority that
grants Grant County Public Works operating authority in the NAS.
b. Supervision and command of the Grant County Public Works UAS program is
conducted by the UAS Program Manager (County Road Engineer). All UAS
Flight Team members will be trained in accordance with Grant County Training
Standards and be issued a copy of this UAS Operations and Policy manual.
7. OPERATIONS:
a. UAS missions will operate within the limitations of the FAA Regulation 14
CFR Part 107 and Advisory Circular 107-2 and/or the COA issued by the
FAA.
b. The Grant County Public Works UAS program will operate strictly within the
current laws and regulations.
c. All UAS missions will consist of a UAS Flight Team. Under no circumstances
will a pilot attempt to complete a deployment alone without an observer.
d. Air Support mission briefings and Risk Assessments will be completed and
briefed prior to each flight.
DRONE POLICY PW #22-01
EFFECTIVE 05-17-2022 PAG E:5
e. Pre-flight and post -flight inspections of the UAV will be completed by the UAS
Flight Team using the manufacturer's operator's manual. Pre-flight inspection and
any discrepancies will be logged in the UAV logbook.
f. Pre-flight, in-flight and post -flight checklists will be developed and used by the
UAV PIC.
8. SAFETY:
a. Employees involved in County -owned UAS operations shall comply with
pertinent Grant County Safety/Personnel policies and FAA safety
regulations.
b. Employees requiring assistance complying with FAA safety regulations shall
consult with the UAS Program Manager.
c. It is the duty of every member of the UAS Flight Team to contribute to the goal
of continued safe operations. This contribution may come in many forms and
includes always operating in the safest manner possible and never taking
unnecessary risks.
9. TRAINING:
a. The UAS Program Manager will oversee the UAV Training Program.
b. All UAS Flight Team members will have a training folder located at the UAS
Program Manager's office that includes certificates of training and training
documentation.
c. UAV Observers must complete sufficient training to communicate to the pilot any
instructions required to remain clear of conflicting traffic. This will include
knowledge of the rules and responsibilities described in 14 CFR 91.111, Operating
Near Other Aircraft; 14 CFR 91.113, Right -of -Way Rules; Except Water
Operations; and 14 CFR91.155, Basic VFR Weather Minimums; knowledge of air
traffic and radio communications, including the use of approved ATC/pilot
phraseology; and knowledge of appropriate sections of the Aeronautical
Information Manual.
d. Recurrent Training, UAV PIC and PMC who do not have documented flight time
within 180 days will demonstrate proficiency in their duties to the UAS Program
Manager or a UAV PIC/PMC who is current and proficient. PIC's must
demonstrate three takeoffs and three landings of the specific UAV in the previous
180 days to remain current. Currency flights may be supervised by the UAS
Program Manager or another current UAV PIC/PMC. All mission deployments,
including practice or training flights, will be documented and counted towards an
operator's UAV flight experience. An FAA aeronautical knowledge test must be
passed and documented every 24 months.
e . Crew Resource Management Training, ((CRM). All UAS Flight Team members
will complete the Grant County Public Works Crew Resource Management initial
training and annual CRM training. CRM for UAS Flight Team members will
emphasize situational awareness and effective communication during each UAV
flight operation.
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10. EQUIPMENT:
a. Grant County Public Works UAS equipment will be managed under the
Engineering Department.
b. The UAS Program Manager will be responsible for ensuring all users of the
equipment have appropriate levels of training, verifying certifications and
ensuring the UAS is properly maintained.
c. All supporting software, equipment registrations, radio licensing or other federal
programs and requirements will be obtained or monitored by the UAS Program
Manager.
d. UAS Procurement shall be in accordance with the current Grant County
Purchasing and Procurement Policy.
11. MAINTENANCE:
a. Pre-flight and post -flight inspections of the UAV will be completed by the UAS
Flight Team using the manufacturer's operator's manual.
b. Pre-flight, in-flight and post -flight checklists will be developed and used by the
UAV PIC.
c. Discrepancies noted during pre-flight or post -flight inspections will be noted in
the UAV logbook.
d. Scheduled and unscheduled maintenance on the UAV will be performed in
accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines.
12. RETENTION AND PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF AERIAL IMAGING:
a. Aerial imaging shall be retained in accordance with the provisions of R.CW 40.14.
b. Public requests for UAS aerial imaging shall be processed in accordance with
Grant County public disclosure policy and the provisions of RC W 42.56 and/or
federal guidelines that supersede state law/requirements.
c. Aerial imaging retention schedules shall be based upon the Washington
Secretary of State —Washington State Archives most current Common Records
Retention Schedule (CORE).
13. ACCIDENT REPORTING AND REVIEW:
All UAS related accidents that result in deaths, injuries, illnesses; incidents or near -misses
will be reported as defined in the Grant County Safety Program and Policies. In addition to
the above Grant County requirements, the FAA requires the following:
§ 107.9 Accident Reporting. No later than 10 days after an operation that meets the
criteria of either paragraph (a) or (b) of this section, a remote pilot in command must
report to the Federal Aviation Administration in a manner acceptable to the
Administrator, any operation of the small, unmanned aircraft involving at least:
a. Serious injury to any person or any loss of consciousness; or
DRONE POLICY
EFFECTIVE XX -XX -2022 PAGE:?
b. Damage to any property, Other than the small unmanned aircraft, unless one of
the following conditions is satisfied:
1. The cost of repair (including materials and labor) does not exceed $500; or
2. The fair market value of the property does not exceed $500 in the event of
total loss.
The FAA has an online reporting tool for the purpose of reporting these accidents.
14. PLANNED DEPARTMENT USES:
Public Works —Construction Management: Inspection of projects,
documentation of areas of erosion and production of
informational materials for progress reports and completed
projects.
— Disaster Response & Recovery: Capture of aerial views
and reconnaissance of affected natural areas, properties,
roadways, or assets in the event of a disaster.
— Inspections: Survey and inspection of bridges, roads,
ditches, culverts, guard rails, signage, rock faces, and other
site features in the public rightt of way.
— ,Surveying & Mapping: Public Asset management for all
topographic mapping projects, provision of baseimagery for
topographic data collection, creation of supplemental Digital
Elevation Models, support of field work, review of as -built
plans, and inspection of inaccessible or hazardous locations.
— Marketing and Public Outreach: Capture of video and still
images of infrastructure and facilities to produce media for
education and outreach purposes.
15. CITATIONS & REFERENCES:
FAA REGULATIONS: The FAA has developed regulations on the use of drones.
For more information, please refer to their website at: https://www.faa.gov/uas/
PEND OREILLE COUNTY: The website published Pend Oreille County Public
Works Drone Policy was utilized to prepare the Grant County Public Works Policy.
Pend Oreille County is a recognized leader in drone technology, please refer to
their website at: https://pendoreilleco.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/R-2018-02-
Pend-Oreille-County-Drone-Policy.pdf
DRONE POLICY
EFFECTIVE XX -XX -2022 PAGE:8