At TKDA, our projects often take us to environments that need careful planning and situational awareness to protect everyone involved. Safety is a foundational part of how we approach every project, and reflects our unwavering dedication to team members, communities, and collaborative partners. Using drones, also known as Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), to gather site data enables us to uphold our commitment to safety while still getting the critical information our projects need.

Gathering site data can involve higher-risk situations like working at heights, dangerous terrain, busy industrial sites, railroad right-of-way and rail yards, remote surveys, tower inspections, and roof inspections. UAS technology can capture highly accurate data while our team members remain safely on the ground and away from hazards. This is especially important in survey work, where accuracy cannot be compromised even as safety risks are reduced. For survey work, the imagery UAS captures is tied to traditional ground survey with the use of control points that have already been verified on the ground. The post-processing software we use to compile the information is highly accurate and provides “survey grade” results. With UAS, our team can capture the data they need from a safe distance without sacrificing quality.

TKDA has a strong safety process and culture, and this applies to UAS operations as well. In addition to the standard safety form required, we have a UAS operations-specific form that must be completed prior to any deployment. Mission planning also goes a long way in safe UAS operations. Analyzing air space restrictions, reviewing potential ground obstacles, and identifying safe takeoff and landing locations is essential and part of our standard procedure. We recognize that drones allow us to safely access hazardous sites, and we take our responsibility to operate them safely and responsibly seriously.

Chris Horsmann, a Hydrologist at TKDA in our water resources group, has over four years of experience flying for TKDA and has used UAS to safely gather data on numerous projects. Chris appreciates the value that the safe use of drones brings to our projects, saying “UAS are not just toys. The safe and successful operation of UAS takes training, preparation, practice, planning, and skill.”

At TKDA, we invest in technology that protects people and strengthens project outcomes. By using UAS technology, our team members can avoid being in higher-risk environments, while still providing consistent and reliable site data to inform decisions throughout design and construction. As we continue to invest in responsible technology and training, safety remains central to how we serve clients and communities.