A new report by the International Transport Forum presents policy options for the successful integration of drones into the transport system. The report examines concerns about the acceptability, efficiency and sustainability of drone transport. The analysis covers passenger and freight drones with different payloads and ranges, and also addresses other drone uses that support the transport sector.
Recent years have seen rapid developments in drone technology. Today, drones have the potential to become a reliable technology for civil, commercial and leisure use. However, existing policy frameworks are often lagging behind technological advances, causing reluctance among potential adopters or hampering new developments. This report presents policy options for integrating drones into the wider transport system while reaping their opportunities and limiting any potential risks. It focuses on standard public concerns related to the introduction of new transport services, such as their acceptability, efficiency and sustainability. It therefore goes far beyond the frequently debated safety and security issues of drones. The report considers the use
of drones for different scales of payloads and autonomies, mainly used in freight and passenger transport. It also looks at drone use cases in the transport sector that go beyond the transport of passengers or goods, such as their use in the maintenance of transport infrastructure.
The insights and policy options presented in this report build on the collective knowledge of the Working Group on Drones in the Transport System: Acceptability and Integration by the International Transport Forum. The group included more than 30 renowned practitioners and academics from 14 countries with expertise in aviation, transport regulation, mobility systems and urban planning.
Source: International Transport Forum
