Application methods of multi-copter aircraft for highway traffic management

Application methods of multi-copter aircraft in highway traffic management

Compared with other types of unmanned aircraft, multi-copter aircraft have a relatively simple structure, fewer linking parts, and a relatively solid structure. It has the advantages of small size and light weight, suitable for carrying certain task loads. So, here is the application method of multi-copter aircraft for highway traffic management that I have compiled for you. You are welcome to read and browse.

1. Introduction to multi-copter aircraft

Multi-rotor aircraft are a type of drone, which are different from fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters and other drones. Multi-copter aircraft have multiple power output shafts that drive multiple rotors, and through the different speeds of each rotor (the pitch of each rotor is fixed), torque is generated in various directions to control the fuselage. Compared with other types of unmanned aircraft, multi-copter aircraft have the advantages of relatively simple structure, fewer connecting parts, relatively strong structure, small size, light weight, and are suitable for carrying certain task loads. Depending on the needs and combination of different equipment, the multi-copter can have a flight time of up to 30-40 minutes, a remote control flight radius of up to 1 km, and can perform six-channel movements such as vertical, forward and backward, and can hover in the air and perform stop and stop operations. Monitoring, shooting, and long-distance wireless real-time image transmission.

The important equipment of professional-grade multi-copter aircraft include: 1. Flight control system, which can complete flight maneuvers such as precise hovering, constant speed cruising, and large maneuvering turns; 2. Airborne gimbal with automatic stabilization function , ensuring that the camera equipment can stably capture high-definition images; 3. Wireless video surveillance technology, which transmits images back in real time from the FPV perspective (First Person View), and installs the micro wireless camera and video signal transmitter at the appropriate location of the aircraft. The latter transmits the images captured by the camera back in real time and displays them on the receiver's screen. In this way, the operator, just like a real driver or pilot, can drive the remote control aircraft while looking at the image "in front of his eyes", even in places that cannot be seen; 4. GPS or Beidou Global Positioning System provides accurate , real-time location information, realizing autonomous navigation, one-click return and other functions.

2. Application cases of multi-copter aircraft in the civil field at home and abroad

(1) Suzhou Expressway Traffic Patrol Police, Shenzhen and Liuzhou Traffic Police tried to use drones to monitor highway traffic during the holidays. Monitor road surfaces and major intersections in urban areas, and record accident situations and traffic congestion over the scene of traffic accidents to quickly identify congestion points and improve congestion elimination and smooth flow.

(2) The Hangzhou Fire Brigade purchased multi-copter aircraft to be used at some disaster accident sites that are difficult to detect and difficult for personnel to approach, so as to transmit scene images back to the ground in real time during accident rescue. It is also used in some special situations where conventional firefighting equipment cannot meet rescue needs when trapped in cliffs, wild areas, high-rise buildings, etc.

(3) Chongqing Substation Company uses multi-copter aircraft to conduct high-altitude inspections of 500 kV transmission lines. When manual line inspections are used, manpower is required to walk to each line inspection point. If inspections are required, Facilities that have been damaged by external forces will have to be powered off and someone will be sent to climb the tower to inspect them. Through aircraft line inspection, work efficiency is greatly improved. According to calculations, in mountainous and hilly areas, manual line patrols can only patrol 1.5 to 2 kilometers a day on average. However, the same line patrol mileage only takes about 2 hours using multi-copter aircraft, and aircraft patrols are used. Threads are more economical than labor.

(4) Jiangsu Provincial Highway Department uses multi-copter aircraft for bridge inspection. Its cost is much lower than that of erection inspection and bridge inspection vehicles. At the same time, the detection accuracy is high, and the multi-copter aircraft can carry high-resolution The camera takes detailed pictures of various bridge diseases. Through FPV technology, the shooting position can be controlled at any time, and multiple and repeated aerial surveys can be carried out, which greatly improves the effectiveness of bridge inspection.

(5) The Zurich police in Switzerland used a multi-copter aircraft to take aerial photos of the traffic accident scene. Police introduction: Multi-copter aircraft are very useful for photographing large-span traffic accident scenes, such as multi-vehicle rear-end accident scenes and tractor-trailer accident scenes. In the past, it was difficult to photograph the entire accident scene. Sometimes, multicopters are also used to photograph fire scenes to aid in investigations.

3. A preliminary study on the practice of the High-speed Traffic Police Ningbo Detachment

During the National Day, the High-speed Traffic Police Ningbo Detachment used multi-copter aircraft to conduct high-altitude patrols on large-scale interchanges such as Gaoqiao, Yunlong, and Jiangshan North in its jurisdiction. The overhead shooting from a height of about 100-200 meters can effectively make up for the shortcomings of fixed surveillance with narrow viewing angles and immobility, allowing the command center to grasp road conditions at a macro level and quickly analyze and judge. Once congestion occurs, it can quickly identify the blocking point and implement accurate and rapid relief. The overhead surveillance images captured by drones are simultaneously released through Weibo, allowing the public to understand road information very intuitively. (See picture 1)

At the same time, attempts were made to make it illegal to shoot emergency lanes with multi-copter aircraft. On October 1, the Yongtai-Wenzhou double-track expressway was jammed due to an accident ahead. The drone lowered the speed and hovered vertically above the emergency lane. It had a significant effect in deterring and promptly correcting violations. The previous off-site law enforcement has been transformed from post-event punishment to prior warning and correction during the event, which has improved the management effect. And the screenshots of the video can clearly reflect illegal information and can be used as illegal evidence. (Picture 2)

In addition, after the multi-copter was used, it immediately attracted the attention of well-known and local media such as CCTV, Tencent, Ningbo News, etc., and also won "likes" from netizens. Only one of them posted on Weibo It received more than 1.65 million views, with most comments praising the traffic police for their innovative work and their support in vigorously investigating and punishing illegal driving in emergency lanes. Searching for "Ningbo Expressway Traffic Police" and "UAV" on Baidu found more than 2.2 million relevant records, achieving good publicity and social effects.

4. Precautions during use

The application of multi-copter aircraft in the field of traffic management, especially for illegal evidence collection, is a new situation and new thing. Although there is a "Road Traffic Safety Law" Article 7 "For road traffic safety management, scientific research should be strengthened, and advanced management methods, technologies, and equipment should be promoted and used." However, there is still a lack of specific provisions on applicable methods, steps, conditions and other procedures. During the trial process, some problems were also found that need to be paid attention to and avoided:

(1) Flying at low altitude may distract the driver's attention, which poses certain safety risks and disputes. It is recommended that the flight altitude is generally 50 meters and above. When selecting the operation point, try to choose it on the highway overpass or on the road below to ensure the operator's own safety and not have too much impact on passing vehicles.

(2) Users should receive professional training to prevent accidents such as crashes caused by misoperation. In addition, multi-copter aircraft are greatly affected by weather and cannot be used in severe weather conditions such as rain and strong winds.

(3) During flight, you should fly within the visual range (500 meters). Be careful not to get close to high-voltage wires to affect the signal. You should also pay attention to the remote control distance to prevent "loss of contact".

Finally, whether multi-copter aircraft are subject to aviation control is also a legal issue of great concern to the user departments and the public. In November 2013, the "Interim Regulations on the Management of Pilots of Civilian Unmanned Aircraft Systems" clarified that flying in non-densely populated areas is the responsibility of the pilot of the unmanned aircraft system and no license is required for management.

5. Assumptions and prospects for the application of multi-copter aircraft in highway traffic management

(1) Management of high-traffic sections, which is also the current application of multi-copter aircraft to highway traffic The broadest aspect of management. Drones can provide a bird's-eye view of the live traffic flow on the road, allowing the highway traffic police command center to grasp the overall situation and conduct overall command and dispatch. The real-time released pictures can allow drivers, passengers and people about to travel to obtain the latest and most accurate road condition information, reducing the degree and scope of traffic congestion. .

(2) Shooting of large-scale traffic accident scenes and hazardous chemical leakage accident scenes. At the scene of a large-scale traffic accident, there may be a multi-vehicle rear-end collision. The overall situation of the traffic accident scene cannot be captured from a head-up angle. General road monitoring is limited by height and angle and can only capture part of the picture. However, the high maneuverability of multi-copter aircraft It is reliable and flexible and can take aerial photos of the whole, which is beneficial to accident site investigation and on-site rescue. In the early stage of a hazardous chemical leakage accident, it is very dangerous to enter the scene rashly due to unknown conditions. Real-time video from a multi-copter aircraft can allow the handling personnel to determine the leaked material and the extent of the leakage, which is conducive to the handling of emergency accidents.

(3) Used as an early warning aircraft during traffic accident safety protection. Multi-copter aircraft can be equipped with loudspeakers, sirens and traffic control signal equipment to provide early warning upstream of accident scenes. Through distance detection, they can automatically detect congested convoys and achieve automatic reverse, which can replace the current role of warning vehicles.

(4) When traffic interruptions and communication interruptions are caused by natural disasters such as ice, floods, and landslides, multi-copter aircraft can be quickly deployed and help commanders understand the situation by transmitting back high-definition videos and high-precision pictures in real time. According to the disaster situation, ground search and rescue forces are guided to rescue trapped people in a timely manner and gain precious time for rescue and disaster relief.

(5) When mass emergencies occur on highways, multi-copter aircraft can take advantage of rapid response and flexible air maneuvers, track the development of the incident in real time, and help the command center implement uninterrupted command. deal with. After installing an airdrop device, small drones can also deliver special items, such as sowing leaflets and transmitting information to people on the ground; multi-copter aircraft can make aerial announcements and transmit government information by adding tweeters.

(6) In large-scale security missions, multi-copter aircraft can provide high-definition images of the ground from the air, and can quickly maneuver to any required area to search for suspicious persons and vehicles on the ground, providing powerful Air intelligence support.

6. Conclusion

Innovation is the spirit of the times in today’s society. As a platform with rapid response, flexible functions, high efficiency and low cost, multi-copter aircraft will inevitably It can be used as an effective and auxiliary scientific and technological device to serve the practice of highway traffic management. The main purpose of this article is to introduce ideas. The application of multi-copter aircraft requires everyone to jointly explore and expand in practice.

Main

Reference materials:

[1] Fuzhou Public Security Bureau. Talking about the application prospects of small drones in the field of public security< /p>

[2] Wenzhou Municipal Public Security Bureau Longwan District Public Security Bureau. On the application of small and medium-sized drones in special police work

[3] Liuzhou Municipal Public Security Bureau Traffic Police Detachment. " Small unmanned aircraft "play a big role--Liuzhou Traffic Police Detachment's practice and exploration of using high-tech to promote the improvement of traffic control level

[4] Chen Lei. Application of unmanned aerial vehicles in the field of traffic emergency command

[5] State Grid Qinghai Electric Power Company. A brief discussion on the application of drones in transmission line inspections;