Lessons in history: The regulation of "horse-less carriages" and "pilot-less aircraft"

Abstract

Lessons In History: The Regulation Of "Horse-Less Carriages" And "Pilot-Less Aircraft"

This oral presentation provides an introduction to current research in the risk management of pilot-less aircraft, or more commonly referred to as Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UASs).

A historical review of the risk management of automobiles in the 1800’s is used to establish the motivation behind the research. The review identifies and discusses recurring issues in the regulation of new technologies through the identification of parallels between the regulation of early automobiles and that of the regulation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UASs) today. It is found that many of the regulatory challenges facing UASs are analogous to those which faced the automobile industry more than a century and half ago. The historical comparison highlights the potential detriments of policy driven by perception and reinforces the need for informed and objective decision making in the development of policy and regulations. The comparison is also used to strengthen a number of arguments that challenge the current risk management philosophy adopted by regulatory authorities in the risk management of UASs.

With the motivation behind the research program established, a summary of some of the key issues facing the effective regulation and risk management of UASs is presented. The presentation outlines the development of risk modelling and simulation tools that could be used in support of risk-informed decision making. The assessment tools provide evaluations of the levels of risk due to UASs operations over inhabited areas. The high level model is described and the results from an example case-study are presented. The results from the case-study highlight how even simple tools can aid the effective risk management and regulation of new technologies. Advantages and limitations are briefly discussed and the presentation concludes with a discussion on future avenues for research.