Drones for safety and security surveillance systems (D4S): The case of mega sporting events

Abstract

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV/drone) use is rapidly expanding across diverse civil applications, including real-time tracking, wireless coverage provision, sensing, search and rescue missions, goods delivery, safety and surveillance, security, and safety inspections of engineering structures. Smart UAVs herald the next technological advancement in UAV technology, offering new possibilities in numerous applications, particularly in reducing risks and costs for civil infrastructure. Civilians can readily purchase commercial UAVs from online platforms or retail stores. Drones hold significant potential in significantly improving safety and security operations across various sectors, including large-scale affairs like mega sporting events, provided there is a framework to govern their safe and effective deployment. The key to the success of these applications lies in equipping them with the necessary sensors and software to provide sufficient evidence of their contribution and enhance situational awareness (SitAW). However, drone deployment in Qatar is lagging for various reasons. The aim of this work was to explore, through a comprehensive analysis, the potential for integrating drone technology into the civilian safety and security (S&S) sector, with an additional aim of identifying challenges faced in deploying drones in Qatar. In seeking to achieve this aim the study proposes a framework to address the operationalisation gap and serve as a roadmap for different stakeholders to enable the successful, safe, accountable, and sustainable development of drone applications. The framework, based on an analysis of data gathered from previous guidelines for unmanned aerial system operations and the identification of challenges facing drone deployment in Qatar, was evaluated using semi-structured interviews with key stakeholder participants (n=27) from a range of occupations that include firefighting, military aviation, interior security, the police, oil and gas, civil aviation, research and higher education, and the Qatar World Cup Security Committee. The results of the study indicate that the proposed framework, which encompasses a SitAW model that can guide S&S professionals and other stakeholders in integrating drones as key contributors to their operations, is ready to be put into operation by policymakers. A further and unique contribution is the critical importance of recognising the role of drones in enhancing SitAw for dynamic decision-making (DD-M) in various sectors and operational contexts. Fundamentally, the proposed framework addresses the problem of low drone adoption in Qatar and elsewhere by guiding policymakers and other stakeholders in the safe and effective deployment of drones in shared airspaces.