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More drone testing during next two weeks

NASA and Lone Star UAS Center conduct unmanned traffic management testing
Drone
Posted at 7:33 AM, Aug 12, 2019
and last updated 2019-08-12 11:56:32-04

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX — It's been a 5-year research project between NASA and Lone Star UAS Center of Excellence and Innovation at TAMUCCto safely test the integrating Unmanned Aircraft Systems into the National Airspace System.

"You know this is our NASA moment, 50 years after landing on the moon," said LSUAS's Michael Sanders. "Its now unmanned aerial systems safely operating within an urban environment"

Sanders said the use of unmanned aircraft systems, or drones, has been growing rapidly, and that the Federal Aviation Association forecasts the usage of drones growing almost 25 percent from now until 2023. On a small scale, unmanned aircraft systems are expected to be used in a big way, for things like package delivery, news collection, precision agriculture, infrastructure inspection and public safety. On a large scale, big companies like Uber plan to use unmanned aircraft systems as a part of their company within the next 8-10 years.

Drone testing will take place between 9 am - 3 pm through August 23.

Road closures during testing:

Today: Occasional diversions in the area of S. Tancahua Street and Kinney Street, near N. Upper Broadway and Lipan Street. Traffic will be occasionally restricted from N. Shoreline Boulevard and Palo Alto Street, near N. Chaparral Street and Hirsh Street.

Tuesday: Temporary traffic interruptions near N. Shoreline Boulevard and William Street to N. Shoreline Boulevard and Peoples Street. Lawrence Street traffic at the T-Head also will be temporarily interrupted.

Wednesday: Cole Park will be temporarily closed.

Thursday: Temporary traffic interruptions near N. Shoreline Boulevard and William Street to N. Shoreline Boulevard and Peoples Street. Lawrence Street traffic at the T-Head will be temporarily interrupted. The Watergarden will be temporarily closed.

Friday: Occasional traffic diversions in the area of S. Tancahua Street and Kinney Street, near N. Upper Broadway and Lipan Street. Traffic will be occasionally restricted in the areas of N. Shoreline Boulevard and Palo Alto Street, near N. Chaparral and Hirsh Streets. Cole Park will be temporarily closed.

Monday, August 19: Temporary traffic interruptions near N. Shoreline Boulevard and William Street to N. Shoreline Boulevard and Peoples Street. Lawrence Street traffic at the T-Head will be temporarily interrupted. The Watergarden will be temporarily closed.

Tuesday, August 20: Occasional traffic diversions in the area of S. Tancahua Street and Kinney Street, near N. Upper Broadway and Lipan Street. Traffic will be occasionally restricted from the areas of N. Shoreline Boulevard and Palo Alto Street, near N. Chaparral Street and Hirsh Street.

Wednesday, August 21: Cole Park will be temporarily closed.

Thursday, August 22: Temporary traffic interruptions near N. Shoreline Boulevard and William Street, to N. Shoreline Boulevard and Peoples Street. There will be temporary traffic interruptions along Lawrence Street at the T-Head.

Friday, August 23: Occasional traffic diversions in the area of S. Tancahua Street and Kinney Street, near N. Upper Broadway and Lipan Street. Traffic will be occasionally restricted from the areas of N. Shoreline Boulevard and Palo Alto Street, near N. Chaparral Street and Hirsh Street. Cole Park will be close temporarily.