Evaluating Ground Risk for Road Networks Induced by UAV Operations*

Abstract

This paper presents a new method to evaluate the risk for road networks induced by UAV operations. The hazardous event considered for risk assessment is an accident with damages caused by an UAV falling on a road. Computation models are proposed to evaluate the probability of each event the sequence of which would lead to such an accident. Influences of the type of road as well as the road traffic are taken into account in the models. Simulation results are presented to illustrate risk evaluation by the proposed approach through a case study of a road network of several kilometres. Some metrics are also introduced to analyse the risk in a comprehensive way.