Illinois Tollway Helps Small and Diverse Businesses Reach New Heights With Drone Training Workshop
2024-04-24
With drones becoming increasingly popular tools on construction projects, the Illinois Tollway partnered with software and equipment manufacturers to conduct a drone training workshop as part of the Tollway’s Emerging Technology initiative.
Approximately 70 representatives from small contractors and consultants turned out to learn about FAA regulations, Tollway specifications and contract provisions including allowances for purchasing drone equipment and software on select Small Business Initiative construction contracts.
“Drones are being used more frequently on Illinois Tollway construction projects because they provide numerous advantages and we need firms that are well-equipped to deploy drones at various stages of construction,” said Illinois Tollway Chief Engineering Officer Manar Nashif. “Not only do drones enhance productivity by making it easy to access hard-to-reach places, but they can also quickly capture a wealth of real-time aerial data that can help reduce costs and increase efficiencies to deliver projects on time and within budget.”
The Emerging Technology initiative is part of the Tollway’s Partnering for Growth Program, which is supported by the Department of Diversity and Strategic Development. The program encourages prime consultants and contractors to assist small, diverse and veteran-owned firms in remaining self-sufficient, competitive and profitable. As part of the initiative, larger firms and equipment manufacturers provide training on cutting-edge technologies that empowers small, diverse and veteran-owned firms to gain the necessary experience to pursue prime and subcontracting opportunities. Past training sessions include 3D modeling and CCTV camera installation.
The Tollway’s first-ever drone workshop covered and demonstrated various ways drones can be used on construction and maintenance projects, including communication and collaboration, site surveying, project documentation, inspections, monitoring and safety management. Experts in drone technology from SITECH Midway and Topcon Solutions discussed the purpose of drones in each of these applications and the benefits for contractors including cost and time savings and improved safety, communications and collaboration. The drone training workshop also offered guidance on how to get certified as a drone pilot.
Firms like Cotter Consulting that started using drones just a few years ago to take pretty aerial photos and videos are now using them for a wide range of applications including surveying, inspections and workflow progress monitoring. Cotter, a woman-owned project management firm based in Chicago, today employs four drone pilots.
Representatives from Cotter attended the workshop at Tollway headquarters in Downers Grove to learn more about the types of software the Tollway prefers to ensure it is using the same drone technologies. Cotter deployed a drone for inspections on the bridge over the Bensenville rail yard as part of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project, finding it safer and more efficient to use a drone than to send someone up 18 feet high on a scissor lift to do a visual inspection.
“In situations like that where inspections are difficult to get to, drones are definitely a useful tool,” said Cotter Consulting Senior Project Manager Jose Montesinos. “With the drone, it took us a day and half to inspect each of the 21 spans; without a drone, it would have taken a month or two depending on when Canadian National Railway would let us get in there to do the inspections.”
Tuskegee Drone Pilots Owner Antuan Barnes expressed interest in working with a larger firm on a Tollway project through the Tollway’s Partnering for Growth Program. The grandson of one of the Tuskegee Airmen, Barnes has had a lifelong passion for anything aviation-related. Since getting his drone pilot license two years ago, Barnes has grown his business from making virtual home tours for real estate agents to performing drone inspections on wind turbines, solar panels and communications towers.
“Drone technology is a big thing these days,” said Barnes. “I want to be ahead of the curve and be of use.”