Arizona’s Department of Transportation is using a drone to help maintain the drain infrastructure along Phoenix area freeways.
ADOT says the drone is vital to keeping the freeways clear. It’s being used to monitor more than 50 pump stations for signs of wear, leaks, or other problems.
“They can fly the drone inside the pump station building and take a look where the pipelines are that are carrying the water out of the pump stations,” said ADOT spokesman Doug Nintzel. “This way, crews don’t have to be hanging from harnesses or climbing high on ladders to take a look at things.”
Most of the pumps can move more than 12,000 gallons a minute but Nintzel says drivers can help by securing loads and keeping litter off the highway before it becomes debris and clogs the drains.
