PADUCAH, Ky. — Engineers at the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management (EM) Paducah Site are making strides in implementing new technology by using drones to survey the site’s sanitary landfill.

Previously, the site’s surveyors spent days walking over the 300,000-square-foot constructed landfill to gather the required elevation and GPS data, generating hundreds of data points in the process.

Surveys completed by drones can be performed in as little as 15 minutes, cover more ground and produce millions of data points resulting in more detailed and accurate information using Light Detection and Ranging technology — a method for calculating ground distances that uses lasers to measure the time it takes for light to be reflected from a surface.

“Not only has the use of drones for surveys provided more accurate data, but the cost savings in collecting, analyzing and reporting of data has resulted in a significant return on EM’s investment in this technology,” Paducah Site Lead April Ladd said.

Most importantly, this new technology enables workers to complete the surveys while reducing the risk and avoiding hazards intrinsic with traditional survey methods. Slips, trips, and falls; insect stings and bites; and environmental factors cannot be overlooked, making the use of the drone instrumental in minimizing the risk to employees.

“The technology used for surveying the landfill is impressive, but the effect it has on safety is its greatest strength,” said Myrna Redfield, program manager for Four Rivers Nuclear Partnership, the site's deactivation and remediation contractor. “The team completing these surveys take great care to ensure safe and controlled operations using the drone, which is a safer alternative to traditional walk-downs.”