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 Safety
Over the holidays, many people received unmanned aircraft systems,
or drones, as gifts. While these are fun to use, there are some safety tips and
guidelines to follow. Drone technology is constantly evolving, which can lead to
confusion about what can and cannot be done when flying them.
Remember:
- Your drone must be registered on the Federal Aviation
Administration’s website, even if it weighs as little as .55 pounds;
- Always fly below 400 feet and within your line of sight;
- Don’t fly near airports, stadiums, prisons, public events,
directly over people or at night; and
- Don’t fly for compensation or use a drone that’s over 55 pounds.
For those wanting to learn more, throughout the year, the N.C.
Division of Aviation is hosting a series of workshops for government and
commercial operators to attend. The workshops will focus on ways drones can be
used to help in areas such as emergency response, data management and
newsgathering.
The first workshop is taking place on Jan. 24 in Gaston County. To
register or check future dates, visit the Division of Aviation’s website.
NC Volunteer Train Hosts
On another note, if you’ve ever ridden the train between Charlotte
and Rocky Mount, there’s a good chance you met one of the onboard train
hosts.
More than 100 volunteer hosts across the state serve as North
Carolina’s goodwill ambassadors. They help passengers with travel questions and
other information while at the station and on board the train, helping ensure
each traveler’s ride is smooth and enjoyable. Started in 1993, North Carolina’s
program was the first of its kind nationwide and has served as a model for other
passenger rail systems.
Last year, this volunteer group donated nearly 11,000 hours of
their time to being a friendly and helpful face to those traveling within our
state. To learn more about becoming a North Carolina volunteer train host, visit ncbytrain.org.
Additionally, if you’re looking for other volunteer opportunities
as part of your New Year’s resolution, consider the Adopt-a-Highway program. You
and your group will clean up a roadway four times a year, keeping our
communities and state a beautiful place to live.
To learn more or sign up, go to the Adopt-a-Highway
page.