Getting Off The Ground: Tracking Urban Pollutants in 3-Dimensions.

Keywords:  contamination monitoring, environmental pollution, impact assessment, risk management, unmanned
Session Type: Virtual Paper
Day: Friday
Session Start / End Time: 4/9/2021 09:35 AM (Pacific Time (US & Canada)) - 4/9/2021 10:50 AM (Pacific Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 25

Abstract

Recent growth in the abilities of mobile robotic platforms such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones), and the rapid miniaturization of sensing technologies present the potential for conducting detailed surveys beyond a 2-Dimensional domain (ground surface) in complex urban environments. With the ability to be controlled remotely, and sometimes function autonomously, these solutions go beyond the scope of traditional 2D stationary and mobile survey methods, to conduct local monitoring of contaminants in 3-Dimensions. This paper will review case studies in the literature where UAVs were used to monitor ambient radiation, air pollution, water pollution and soil contamination. Through critically analyzing the differences in search strategies, flight patterns, build designs and algorithms, and comparing the respective outcomes and shortcomings of each application, we are able to identify how the additional dimension provided by UAV survey aides in improving monitoring procedures. This research is part of an effort to improve the characterization of complex multi-source plume emitters (ex. wood burning), in urban environments.