UK Motorways to Get Drone Patrols, But Will They Distract Drivers?

Drivers on UK motorways might soon share the road with a new kind of traffic monitor: drones. National Highways, the agency responsible for England's major roads, is exploring the use of low-flying drones to inspect the condition of its 4,500 miles of motorways and A-roads, with a potential rollout by early 2027.

While human-operated drones have been used since 2020, the agency is looking to deploy smaller, more cost-effective models. These drones would fly at a lower altitude, between 10 and 20 meters, allowing them to capture finer details of road surfaces compared to current drones operating around 50 meters high. The agency estimates these smaller drones are approximately 10 times cheaper.

To gauge public reaction and potential safety concerns, National Highways, in collaboration with engineering firm Arup, has conducted simulations. Participants were asked to drive in a virtual reality environment designed to mimic real motorway conditions, with drones introduced subtly. After the simulated drive, participants were questioned about any perceived impact of the drones on their driving. The tests also measured physiological responses, including heart rate and pupil dilation, alongside driving performance metrics like speed and steering control.

Ewan Murdoch, a senior consultant at Arup, indicated that the results of these tests could influence the adoption of similar drone technology for road maintenance globally. He noted interest from Australia and the United States in exploring comparable methodologies for their own road authorities. The simulation, while described as a "nervy experience" by one participant, aims to ensure that the introduction of these aerial monitors does not compromise road safety or distract drivers.

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We’ve had some interest from colleagues in Australia who are looking potentially to do some of their things to their road authorities. And in the US as well, they’re looking at opportunities for this, but this kind of methodology is quite interesting and novel, so I think it’s something that globally we’re seeing.