Freight Futures: The Emerging Regulatory Landscape of Unmanned Aircraft Systems

PROJECT SYNOPSIS

The Freight Futures series examines the disruptive technologies and evolving regulatory frameworks that are reshaping the modern landscape of logistics and transportation.

The first brief in the series examines Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UASs)—including Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPASs), and drones—that are transitioning from a futuristic concept to a nascent commercial reality. Given that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) projects the estimated number of drones in the United States to triple from two million to six million between 2021 and 2030,1 UASs have immense economic and societal potential. While not yet ubiquitous, UAS services operate in select markets, driven by advancements in automation, battery technology, and a gradually maturing regulatory framework. UAS technology promises to revolutionize industries such as precision agriculture, infrastructure inspection, emergency response, and retail. Relative to logistics the primary focus is on the “last mile,” with UAS use aimed at delivering small, high-value packages faster and more efficiently than traditional ground transport. The critical challenge of adopting this technology hinges on the safe and effective integration of these aircraft into society. This requires a complex, multi-layered regulatory approach, with federal, state, and local governments playing a crucial role in shaping the future of drone use.