Innovative Drone Solutions At Parsons: Leading The Way In Advanced Technology And Project Delivery
At Parsons, we are proud to be at the forefront of technological innovation, leveraging advanced drone technology to deliver exceptional results across a wide range of projects. As we celebrate a decade of investment in small drone technology, our mature aviation-based program has evolved into a robust operation with nearly 40 skilled pilots. These experts are dedicated to utilizing cutting-edge technology for diverse applications, from aerial water sampling to counter-unmanned aircraft systems development.
Pioneering Orphaned Well Location and Remediation
One of our standout achievements is our advanced orphaned well location and remediation experience using advanced drone technology. Orphaned wells, which are hazardous to public safety and health, have long been a challenge to locate, especially those with no visible trace above ground. At Parsons, we have proven this process by integrating sensitive magnetic instruments, typically used for locating unexploded ordnance, into our drone operations. By recording background magnetic fields, investigating the local geology, and filtering out environmental noises, our geophysicists have developed a robust workflow for detecting well casings deep below the surface.
Our innovative approach doesn’t stop there. We also employ LiDAR and photogrammetry to enhance the reliability of our detections and use methane detectors to ensure accurate prioritization of plugging and abandonment activities. The data collected is seamlessly integrated into our GIS ParMap® interface, providing accessible and shareable information for proper recording and decision-making.
Our environmental program features a “drone truck” that can be rapidly deployed nationwide, equipped with multidisciplinary personnel trained in various remote sensing and physical collection payloads. In forested areas, our teams even operate drones from the top of a 55-foot towable boom lift to comply with federal visual line of sight requirements and are excited for beyond visual line of sight drone operations in the future.
Comprehensive Capabilities
Drones are widely recognized for their remote sensing payloads, and at Parsons, we harness this capability to conduct thorough inspections across various domains. Our drones are equipped with advanced drone technology, featuring different types of imagers, not limited to the visual spectrum, to inspect bridges, buildings, industrial facilities, pipelines, construction sites, roadways, unstable snow-packed mountains, and fields. We utilize both commercial products and custom-designed solutions to meet our specific needs. One of our teams even unveiled an innovative payload designed for search and rescue, further advancing drone technology for critical applications.
By capturing extensive amounts of data, such as imagery, we can utilize big data analytics and computer vision to extract relevant information, identify defects, and analyze for patterns. This data is instrumental in creating three-dimensional models, informing flood risk hardening, pinpointing degrading infrastructure, and building new infrastructure. Our multidisciplinary teams, including construction engineers, drafters, bridge engineers, traffic engineers, facilities inspectors, scientists, geologists, and geophysicists, who are oftentimes both the drone pilot and the inspector, ensure streamlined data collection and processing.
Embracing Future Opportunities
As drone technology and policies continue to evolve, Parsons remains committed to evaluating and adopting innovative solutions for our clients. Our scientists, engineers, and computer programmers are dedicated to leveraging advanced drone technology to address the latest challenges. Whether integrating drone-captured data into our workflows or developing new hardware and software for drones, we are constantly seeking the best tools for the job.
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At Parsons, we are not just flying drones; we are pioneering the future of technology and project delivery. Join us as we continue to push the boundaries of advanced drone technology and deliver exceptional results for our clients.