Small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have historically been the domain of the defence industry, or hobbyists. Recent years have seen rapid technological development and significant increases in popularity, as affordability and capability improve dramatically. UAVs now offer a wide array of opportunities with comparatively low upfront costs, ranging from construction to inspection, and agriculture to logistics. With increasing industry focus on digital transformation, UAVs are one of two technologies identified as offering the most significant gains in asset productivity (ICE, 2017).

UAVs are being employed for asset inspection by an increasing number of organisations throughout the UK and globally. Their use allows for safer, simpler and more affordable inspection and data acquisition, particularly where access in and around the asset is difficult. They also enable larger quantities of higher quality data to be collected, with less time spent on site. However, this places a greater burden on thorough planning and data handling, in effect moving time and effort from site to the office.

To unlock the potential benefits of UAVs, the capability and applications of the technology must be understood. Data collected using UAVs must be compatible for integration with other asset data. Desired asset management outcomes must be understood from the start to ensure the right UAV system is deployed, if indeed it is the right technology, and the relevant skills are in place with an organisation to manage the process.

Aviation safety is regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which covers UAVs in the UK. However, there is little in the way of independent industry accepted guidance for their use within infrastructure asset management strategies.

The new CIRIA guide will enable clients, asset managers and those providing asset management services to better understand how this technology can be used within their organisations to improve their asset management capability.

Delegates at this event will:

• Learn about the various types of UAVs, the sensors and other payloads for data acquisition and how to use this data for managing assets.
• Meet the author team behind the guidance
• Network with industry professionals and peers