Explore how automated drones are transforming event-based responses in diverse fields, from pipeline management to traffic control. Discover the role of FlytNow in providing real-time, on-demand solutions for these challenges.

1. When Alarms Ping,
Drones Fly:
Exploring the
Applications of
Automated Incident
Response
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Explore how automated drones are
transforming event-based responses in
diverse fields, from pipeline
management to traffic control. Discover
the role of FlytNow in providing
real-time, on-demand solutions for
these challenges.

2. Introduction
Drone-assisted on-demand incident
responses have been gaining traction in
recent years, and one standout champion
in this field is the Drones for First
Response (DFR) program. They have
transformed emergency response, keeping
both the public and our brave responders
safe.
If one had to highlight benefits, with DFR
programs, response times have reduced,
situational awareness has improved, and
operational effectiveness has increased.
Equipped with thermal imaging, drones
can see through smoke, fog, and even
darkness, helping locate people when
every second counts. As soon as an
incident (911 equivalent) is reported, a
drone can be dispatched to the scene,
providing live video feeds to responders
and incident commanders.
With autonomy in the mix, DFR programs
have been able to achieve scalability
One notable example is Citymesh's Safety
Drone Project, which serves as a classic
case study on the country-wide
implementation of automated response
systems.
Emergency service departments can now
respond with greater efficiency and
receive accurate information about the
incident scene within minutes. By enabling
drones to fly autonomously from drone
docks to the location of incidents to
capture images and live HD video feeds
that are transmitted to command centers
in real time, the entire process has been
simplified.
But did you know that there are a variety
of other applications for on-demand
automated drone response systems that
are currently being implemented around
the world?
Let's look at a few of them.
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3. Powered by FlytNow
Automated Pipeline ROW
Encroachment Incident Response
Pipeline encroachment poses a significant
safety concern, often threatening the integrity
and reliability of natural gas pipelines.
Encroachments within pipeline easements
include anything from piling up heavy materials
to digging near a pipeline without permission.
To mitigate the risk, it is common practice
among pipeline operators to install acoustic
technology that can monitor pipelines
accurately for leak detection and third-party
interference, including encroachment attempts.
These systems trigger an alarm if there are any
disturbances along the length of the pipeline in
real-time. But these systems do not send any
visual information for operators to understand
the situation better.
The energy industry traditionally conducts
inspections through ground patrols using ATVs
or foot patrols as well as aerial surveys via
helicopters to visually detect any releases or
encroachments. However, these methods are
labor-intensive, expensive, and potentially
dangerous.
With advancements in autonomous drone
technology, these alarm systems can now be
integrated with software platforms that allow
them to autonomously send a drone to the
geolocation of the alert and relay live HD video
feed, allowing operators to quickly inspect the
asset and respond to the incident.

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Automated Railyard and
Track Inspections
Railyards are typically large areas with a
plethora of tracks, locomotives, and railcars. As
a result, their sheer size makes the inspection
process time-consuming and logistically
difficult. Because of the high level of activity in
railyards, with trains arriving and departing on a
regular basis, inspection windows are limited.
Rail inspectors typically conduct inspections
by walking or driving along the tracks in
vehicles equipped with rail wheels (Hy-rail
trucks). They measure the gauge and inspect
the track to identify any structural or
mechanical problems. Manual track
inspections, on the other hand, can be
inefficient, time-consuming, and require
additional personnel.
To counteract these challenges, many rail yards
are now utilizing advanced technologies to
assist the inspection process, such as yard
management solutions capable of monitoring
and managing incoming trains, assigning
optimal lanes for incoming trains, and
accessing detailed information on trains in and
out of the yard, among other things.
By integrating the yard management solution
with software solutions that automate drone
operations, the alarm is raised when a track is
empty, and the drone launches automatically
to inspect the track quickly before the train
occupies it. The drone carries out inspections
of switches on the track to detect anomalies
like cracks, corrosion, and more.
Rail companies are now integrating these yard
management solutions with software solutions
that allow for autonomous drone operations.
When a track is detected to be empty, a ping is
generated on the dashboard, and the drone is
launched autonomously to inspect the track
before the train occupies it. The drone inspects
track switches for anomalies such as cracks,
corrosion, and other issues.

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Traffic Management with Drones
Intensified by the rapid growth of urban areas,
which has outpaced the development and
maintenance of infrastructure, increased
vehicle ownership, and changes in
transportation technologies, efficient
management of traffic has become a critical
issue.
Traffic tools such as Waze help users visualize
traffic in their area, monitor conditions along
key routes, get push notifications for important
changes, and store data for reference over
time. Users can also see road closures,
incidents, and traffic jam data on the Waze
map.
Integrating autonomous drone ops software
solutions can significantly improve traffic
management efficacy.
Drones can be programmed to launch
autonomously from docks and quickly reach
accident sites by connecting to traffic tools like
Waze. The drone's live video footage and
images help traffic officials make informed
decisions and reduce traffic congestion.
Their high-resolution imaging capabilities not
only provide real-time traffic updates but also
allow for precise and efficient accident scene
reconstruction. The collected data is also
shared with a third-party map service for
storage and analysis, allowing for the
identification of common issues that
contribute to traffic congestion.

6. Powered by FlytNow
Say hello to FlytNow.
FlytNow is an enterprise software platform for
automating drone operations with drone docks
for a wide range of applications. It enables
users to remotely monitor, manage, and control
a hybrid and distributed fleet of drones and
docking stations.
A standout feature of FlytNow is its ability to
seamlessly integrate with third-party
applications. These include, among other
things, Video Management Systems (VMS) for
enhanced security operations and Unmanned
Traffic Management (UTM) systems for
increased airspace awareness.
FlytNow also enables users to manage multiple
alarm sources. In the event of an incident,
remote operators are instantly notified on their
FlytNow dashboard. These real-time alerts
provide critical data, including the exact
location of the incident and crucial information
pertaining to it.
Wondering What Magic
Makes These
Integrations Come to
Life?
Wondering What Magic
Makes These
Integrations Come to
Life?
Users can receive custom basic information
like alarm type, severity, latitude, longitude,
timestamp, event ID, and additional metadata if
required to create custom workflows.
This information allows operators to swiftly
deploy the right drone to the incident site.
This swift response is especially useful in asset
inspection and incident response scenarios,
providing immediate insights and allowing for
prompt action. FlytNow also allows users to
manage multiple alarm sources in case they
have alarms in multiple sites, making it a very
scalable solution.

7. Powered by FlytNow
In a nutshell, real-time, automated, yet
on-demand incident responses via drones
don't just respond swiftly to incidents or
streamline asset inspections—they're also a
time and effort saver. The best part of being
automated? You can be anywhere in the world
and be monitoring your assets or responding to
an incident with a single click.
Whether it's responding to a 911 call, detecting
a pipeline encroachment, inspecting a vacant
railway track, or managing traffic, autonomous
drones are making a critical difference and
entering a new era of efficiency and safety.
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FlytNow in action?
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FlytNow in action?
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