成人X站

CHOKEPOINTS

It’s not science fiction: A drone that removes graffiti has arrived

Apr 29, 2024, 2:43 PM

Photo: A prototype drone test sprays paint to cover up graffiti in Tacoma in spring 2024....

A prototype drone test sprays paint to cover up graffiti in Tacoma in spring 2024. (Photo courtesy of Washington Department of Transportation)

(Photo courtesy of Washington Department of Transportation)

I’m not sure why, but the “Flight of the Valkyries” plays in my head as I dream of sky full of graffiti drones descending Interstate 5 (I-5) with their nozzles locked and loaded.

Maybe I’ve seen “Apocalypse Now” too many times, but that is my vision for this designed to combat graffiti, especially on bridges and overpasses.

And why not? WSDOT spent $815,000 on graffiti removal in 2023. Workers spent more than 10,000 hours painting over 700,000 square feet of graffiti last year.

The government agency noted in its crews report seeing new graffiti appear “sometimes days or even hours after an area is cleaned.”

More from Chris Sullivan: Bellevue to have cops on Eastside light rail trains

More on the drone that removes graffiti

The machine, built from an Endure model, uses a spray nozzle and is linked to a paint supply on the ground. As the agency explains, an operator can position the drone anywhere the tethered hose can reach. The idea is that a drone used this way “makes quick work of painting over graffiti on tall retaining walls, bridges and overpasses.”

Drone No. 1 failed during initial testing, but the newest drone is up and running. It is being tested in Olympia and Tacoma, under control of licensed drone operators inside the Pierce County regional maintenance division.

More Chokepoints content: A guide to restricted parking zones for any confused drivers

The Washington legislature in Olympia passed during their session in 2024. The legislation provides WSDOT $1 million to research traffic camera technology for monitoring graffiti removal.

In December, the agency will submit a report to the legislature in December about the findings of the program for further evaluation. WSDOT emphasized in its that “it will be a while before we know if this is technology that we will implement in the long term.”

YouTube video

Check out more of Chris’ Chokepoints here. You can also follow Chris on . to follow 成人X站 Newsradio Traffic’s profile .

Chokepoints

sr 529 closures...

Chris Sullivan

Four full closures for SR 529 coming in May

Heads up Marysville and Everett. State Route 529 (SR 529) is not going to be a reliable way to make that connection in May. Four full highway closures are on next month's schedule, starting this weekend.

16 hours ago

I-5 tacoma collision...

Frank Sumrall

Driver dead after ‘major collision’ shut down I-5 north near Lakewood; All lanes back open

All lanes heading north on I-5 were shut down and blocked near Lakewood after a semi truck crashed early Tuesday morning.

16 hours ago

Photo: The Ballard Bridge....

Nate Connors

Weekend road work roundup: Major closures to hit Ballard Bridge, I-5

Major road work this weekend: Ballard Bridge closes April 25-28, impacting I-5 traffic.

4 days ago

Other than left-lane campers and bad mergers, few things are more disappointing behind the wheel th...

Chris Sullivan

Seriously WA, stop littering 38 million pounds each year

Littering harms our roads and wildlife. Learn why it's crucial to keep our environment clean and the impact of your actions.

5 days ago

work zone awareness week...

Nate Connors

Work Zone Awareness Week honors 61 WSDOT employees killed on the job

During Work Zone Awareness Week, agencies remember 61 WSDOT employees killed in work zones incidents.

6 days ago

Red Light Cameras edmonds...

MyNorthwest Staff

New Edmonds red light cameras may issue 11,000+ tickets a year

New red light cameras in Edmonds warns drivers and aims to enhance traffic safety by issuing thousands of tickets annually.

6 days ago

It’s not science fiction: A drone that removes graffiti has arrived