Last year, a new bill was introduced to Congress to fund drone infrastructure inspections across the US. If passed, the bill could have a major impact on the nation’s infrastructure and drone industry.
In this article, we’ll explain what the bill is, how its funds would be used, who would be eligible for funding and how they would apply, the progress of the legislation so far, and the future of using drones in infrastructure inspections.
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
H.R.5315 - Drone Infrastructure Inspection Grant Act
The Drone Infrastructure Inspection Grant Act (DIIG) was introduced to congress by US Representatives Greg Stanton (D-AZ) and Garret Graves (R-LA) on September 20, 2021. It proposes giving the Department of Transportation (DOT) a total of $200 million to use toward funding US infrastructure inspections with drones.
And the bill couldn’t come at a more opportune time. US infrastructure is failing. According to the World Economic Forum (WEM), the quality of our infrastructure ranks only 13th in the world. And the American Society for Civil Engineers (ASCE) even gave it a low rating of C-minus.
The DIIG Act would help preserve and revitalize the country’s decaying infrastructure by funding drone inspections, which are safer, faster, and more sustainable than traditional inspection methods. In fact, DIIG could even help save lives by preventing accidents from failing infrastructure and reducing the need to put manual inspectors in hazardous situations.
“Drone technology has the potential to save lives and help preserve essential infrastructure. This bill would provide much needed funding for drone infrastructure inspection equipment and education and training at the state and local levels. This will not only help states aviation agencies acquire drone technology to safely inspect critical infrastructure, but also bolster the workforce needed to manage it, and improve public safety”
- Greg Pecoraro, National Association of State Aviation Officials
The bill would also help successfully execute the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which President Biden signed into law last November and which aims to repair and modernize the nation’s infrastructure. By leveraging efficient drone technology, the DIIG Act would help the IIJA fulfill its mission.
What's included in the PDF...
The complete step-by-step beginners roadmap for infrastructure inspections
Crucial factors of success when implementing a drone program
The game-changing advantages of utilizing drones for inspections
Usage of Funds
So how exactly would the $200 million in DIIG funding be used? Well, half of it ($100 million) would be reserved for state, local, and tribal governments to pay for drone infrastructure inspections, while the other half ($100 million) would be put toward training employees on how to properly operate drones.
Drone training can include workforce training or education at community colleges and other institutions of higher learning. So far, 41 institutions have been approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as official drone training centers.
For any state, local, or tribal government interested in performing drone infrastructure inspections, the DIIG could fund up to 80% of the drone purchases and service contracts or the development of an internal drone program. The rest must be funded locally.
However, all drones purchased through DIIG grants must be from US-based manufacturers that are not influenced or controlled by China. This is a national security measure intended to prevent Chinese manufacturers like DJI from using drones to help China spy on the US. Similar restrictions on purchasing drones made in China have been included in past infrastructure bills.
Eligibility and Applications
To qualify for DIIG funding, interested government entities must submit an application to the Secretary of Transportation. The application form, timeline, and terms will be made available by the Secretary if and after the bill passes.
Related Article – How Drones Will Help Rebuild America’s Failing Infrastructure
The Secretary will then prioritize applications that plan to use the grant for critical infrastructure projects that are either located in historically disadvantaged communities or address significant safety risks.
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Progress of Legislation
Thus far, the DIIG Act has only been introduced to congress and referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Subcommittee on Aviation for review. Next, it will go to the House of Representatives for a vote, then to the Senate, and finally to the President, who signs it into law.
The bill has 7 cosponsors (i.e. supporters) in congress so far, and it has a lot of public support, including from the US Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO), the National League of Cities, the Commercial Drone Alliance, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, and the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.
“Commercial drones have amazing safety, efficiency and environmental benefits. By expanding the use of drones to inspect America's aging and decaying infrastructure, and by positioning current and future workers to capitalize on the fast-growing drone economy, the DIIG Act promotes worker safety, protects the environment, and increases efficiencies.”
- Lisa Ellman, Executive Director of the Commercial Drone Alliance
The Future of Unmanned Aircraft for Inspecting Infrastructure
The global drone infrastructure inspection market was valued at $45.2 billion for the year 2020. And the DIIG Act will only help fuel the market further, making our infrastructure maintenance, rehabilitation, and construction more dependent on drones.
And it’s a good thing. US infrastructure has a growing backlog of inspection needs. Consider this: US bridges are designed to last for 50 years, and yet 4 in 10 bridges are older than 50 years, and the average bridge is already 43 years old. This is why the Fern Hollow Bridge in Pittsburgh, PA collapsed and injured 10 people earlier this year, for example. So it’s vital that we turn to drones to speed up the process of inspecting bridges to make them safer and even save lives.
And bridges aren’t the only problem. Much of the country’s infrastructure—including pipelines, roads, dams, and electrical grids—is in disrepair. Drones can provide safe, comprehensive, and cost- and time-efficient infrastructure inspections to help us get back on track.
Getting Started: Using Drones for Inspecting Critical Infrastructure
If you’re interested in using drones to inspect infrastructure, now is the time to develop an internal drone program or outsource your flights to a reputable drone service provider.
The Drone Life provides detailed infrastructure inspections in New Jersey and the surrounding Eastern states. Check out some of our past projects and don’t hesitate to contact us for a free consultation. Our expert drone pilots have experience in inspecting solar farms, power plants, and more!
What's included in the PDF...
The complete step-by-step beginners roadmap for infrastructure inspections
Crucial factors of success when implementing a drone program
The game-changing advantages of utilizing drones for inspections
