RALEIGH – The following are highlights from this week at the N.C. Department of Transportation. The stories below are also featured in
NCDOT Now, the department’s weekly newscast.
Drone Integration Pilot Program
Over the last few years, the N.C. Division of Aviation has been a leader in drone safety, innovation and technology. And now, with a recently announced partnership, the division will eventually be able to add lifesaving to that list.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao announced that the N.C. Department of Transportation has been selected as one of only 10 participants in the FAA’s Unmanned Aircraft System Integration Pilot Program.
As part of this innovative program, the department will be working with global drone delivery companies to set up a network of medical distribution centers that can use drones to make medical devices.
“The FAA is relying on states and local municipalities to help give them data that will feed their rulemaking,” Basil Yap, N.C. Division of Aviation UAS Program Manager. “The operations that we’re going to focus on are not currently allowed and in order for them to be allowed they need data to help with those decisions.”
Currently, blood and other supplies travel by courier to hospitals and testing facilities. With drones, medical providers would get test results and needed supplies much faster.
Safe Phone Zones
Last year more than 1,300 people died in vehicle crashes in North Carolina, many because of distracted driving.
To help combat this, a new statewide effort called safe phone zones has launched. With this, GEICO Insurance’s sponsorship designates all 58 North Carolina rest areas as
Safe Phone Zones. Signage encourages drivers to wait and check their phones until arriving at one of these locations instead of calling, texting or using mobile apps while driving.
In addition to the safety component, GEICO’s sponsorship also provides a supplemental funding source to help keep rest areas open and clean.
Update on Cat Saved by NCDOT Employees
It’s been one year since three NCDOT underwater bridge inspectors rescued a kitten thrown off the Old Mann’s Harbor Bridge in the Outer Banks.
Bridger, as he’s now known, was adopted by one of the inspectors, Reece Newman, and enjoys bird watching, meeting the backyard chickens and taking naps. You can follow Bridger’s daily adventures at his personal Facebook page.