Drone Analytics
“Within a few years, drones will be another tool in the toolbox, as relevant as a telephone.”
Cities worldwide are embracing drones as powerful tools to tackle complex urban challenges, from traffic congestion to pedestrian safety. As municipalities seek smarter ways to design public spaces, innovative data collection methods—such as drone-based analytics—are rapidly gaining traction. Here’s how this technology is reshaping urban planning and why cities like Ghent, Hamburg, and Bengaluru are leading the charge.
Use cases
Data Capture
Drones gather video footage of traffic and pedestrian movement data
Processing
Supported by our proprietary Ai model, computer vision and cloud-based tools, footage is converted into insights through heatmaps, data visualizations, trajectories tracking and many more reports.
Application
Planners use these insights to redesign intersections, optimize public transport routes, and enhance emergency response times.
Benefits
- Cost Efficiency: One drone can replace multiple fixed cameras, cutting infrastructure costs.
- Speed: Rapid deployment allows cities to gather data in hours, not weeks.
- Versatility: From monitoring stadium crowds to mapping intersections and flood zones, drones adapt to diverse needs.
Case Studies
Hamburg’s BLU-Space Project
Europe’s first U-space airspace initiative integrates drones into urban traffic management. The project aims to reduce ground congestion, streamline emergency responses, and monitor environmental impacts.
Tararua District Council (New Zealand)
This council now employs a full-time drone operator to manage everything from trash collection to disaster planning. Blair Rogers, a GIS Consultant, predicts drones will soon be as essential as smartphones for urban engineers.
Greenroads
Our AI-Driven solution was also featured in EIT Urban Mobility, where our platform uses drone data to enhance pedestrian safety and traffic flow, proving critical for cities prioritizing smart mobility.
The Future of Urban Planning
The adoption of drones is accelerating globally. Municipalities are now hiring dedicated operators, investing in training, and integrating drone insights into digital twin platforms.
For cities aiming to stay ahead, the message is clear: The sky is no longer the limit—it’s the starting point, and with minimal investment and a generic drone any city can get started.