18. UAS Obstacle Course

The UAS Obstacle Course was designed as part of TPF-3(387) to evaluate the capabilities of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) for structural inspection, particularly for bridges. This unique resource addresses the growing need for performance-based validation in a field where the lack of standards often leaves structure owners reliant on unverified vendor claims. The testing environment replicates real-world conditions by incorporating obstacles and components resembling typical bridge structures. It also controls variables such as lighting, wind, temperature, and GPS signal to ensure repeatable and reliable assessments of UAS performance.

The research underpinning this testing setup identified critical parameters for UAV performance, such as proximity effects, visual line of sight, and rotor-tip-to-rotor-tip distances. By simulating complex geometries and integrating images of structural damage into the course, the setup evaluates UAS capabilities to capture clear, actionable data under challenging conditions. This tool provides structure owners and inspectors with a means to determine whether a given UAS meets minimum performance requirements, enhancing inspection safety and reliability.