PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS (UAS):A SURVEY OF PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE REGARDING ROLES,CAPABILITIES, AND SAFETY WHILE OPERATING WITHIN THE NATIONAL AIRSPACE SYSTEM (NAS)

摘要

A variety of challenges to the successful assimilation of Unmanned AircraftSystems (UASs) into the National Airspace System (NAS) exists. Aside fromtechnical and legislative challenges, another setback has recently surfaced whenthe FAA suspended its selection process for UAS test sites due to privacy concerns.This new obstacle has the potential to further delay UAS integration. Verylittle literature or coverage of UAS domestic operations and accidents have beenpublished and made available to the public at large. As a result, the public hasvery little information upon which to form any realistic or reasonable opinionsconcerning the integration of UASs into the NAS and the threat to public safetythat may ensue as a result of this planned action by the FAA and private industry.There are many safety related issues that the public are not aware of thatmay adversely affect decisions made by the FAA to move forward with fullscale integration of UASs into the NAS. If the UAS community is to be successfulin its efforts to initiate widespread use of UASs over populated areas inthe NAS, they would do well to consider educating the public on the pros andcons of using UASs in the NAS, and should keep the public informed of progressin areas that directly affect the public such as safety. This study will consistof a review of the current literature related to public opinion polling andpublic perception about domestic UAS operations. Results of a pilot public opinionpoll (n = 223) developed during this research is presented in a reflective,narrative format. An overwhelming majority of polled individuals (95%) werefamiliar with UASs. Slightly less than half of respondents agreed they would becomfortable with UASs in domestic airspace with firefighting and weather monitoringbeing the most acceptable uses of the systems. The highest level of concernabout UASs (46%) was privacy versus safety (38%). Results indicate thepublic is cognizant of UAS operations but are not ready to accept widespreaduse of the technologies. Also, privacy does seem to be a primary concern.