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Commission OKs project to conduct drone assessments of gravel roads

WATFORD CITY – The McKenzie County Commission voted unanimously on Tuesday to award ISight RPV Services funding to provide drone assessments of gravel roads following rain events.

The purpose of the assessment is to provide commissioners real-time imagery of road conditions to support open/closure decisions on gravel roads.

“In western North Dakota closing of gravel roads can have major economic impacts not only for the county but for the oil companies that work there,” said ISight CEO Tommy Kenville. “Our project will collect the data commissioners need to make informed decisions on road closures. We’re thankful to the commission for trusting ISight with such an important project and we’re excited to assist in keeping the economic pulse of the county running when rain threatens to shut everything down.”

“McKenzie County is looking forward to the information ISight will provide to assist us in making road decisions,” said Commission Chair, Tom McCabe. “Just one day of road closures has economic impacts for the county. We’re looking forward to working with ISight on this pilot project.”

The two-phase project is expected to begin in the spring of 2020 with initial flights recording baseline data. When rain events occur this summer, ISight will conduct flights within visual line of sight to collect images of road conditions so commissioners can make decisions on road open/closures. Phase one will conclude in approximately November. Phase two will continue to collect data after rain events in the spring and summer of 2021 with plans to use beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) infrastructure, if available.

Headquartered in Grand Forks, ISight RPV Services provides Remotely Piloted Vehicle (RPV) operations to agricultural, critical infrastructure, wildlife management, insurance, and emergency services clients for collecting data with unmanned aircraft.

Their purchase of an American made, gas-powered drone, that can stay airborne for five to six hours positions them perfectly to take advantage of the much-anticipated statewide BVLOS network.

ISight will open an office in McKenzie County, staffed with at least four pilots.

“We look forward to working in and bringing tech jobs to western North Dakota,” said Kenville.

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