Economic Benefits to New Zealand from Beyond-Line-of-Sight Operation of UAVs

73 Pages Posted: 26 Dec 2015

See all articles by Andrew Shelley

Andrew Shelley

Aviation Safety Management Systems Ltd; Andrew Shelley Economic Consulting Ltd; Massey University - Department of Defence and Security Studies

Heather Andrews

Aviation Safety Management Systems Ltd

Date Written: February 10, 2015

Abstract

This report estimates the economic benefits to New Zealand from Beyond-Line-Of-Sight (BLOS) use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones) for pasture measurement and monitoring, forestry, and electricity infrastructure inspection. The economic gains from the adoption of active pasture management techniques are estimated to be in the order of $1bn per year, with relatively modest additional gains of $67m per year available from BLOS UAV operation. Applications for disease and pest management within forestry are considered, with BLOS operation providing potential benefits of $46m-$69m per year from improved control of Dothistroma, and $26m per year from control of the eucalypt tortoise beetle. The direct cost savings from using UAVs for electricity infrastructure inspection could be in the order of $7.6m per year. Benefits from the reduced duration of electricity outages could provide additional benefits of $4.5m to $19.3m per year.

Keywords: drone, UAV, BLOS, beyond-line-of-sight, economic benefit, pasture management, forestry, infrastructure inspection

Suggested Citation

Shelley, Andrew and Andrews, Heather, Economic Benefits to New Zealand from Beyond-Line-of-Sight Operation of UAVs (February 10, 2015). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2708317

Andrew Shelley (Contact Author)

Aviation Safety Management Systems Ltd ( email )

Feilding, Manawatu 4740
New Zealand
+64 21 549 045 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://www.asms.co.nz

Andrew Shelley Economic Consulting Ltd ( email )

Feilding, Manawatu 4740
New Zealand
+64 21 549 045 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://www.asec.co.nz

Massey University - Department of Defence and Security Studies ( email )

New Zealand

Heather Andrews

Aviation Safety Management Systems Ltd ( email )

Tauranga, Bay of Plenty
New Zealand

HOME PAGE: http://www.asms.co.nz

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