DEVELOPMENT OF A WEBAPP FOR SAFE MISSION PLANNING FOR UAS IN URBAN AREAS

The increasing proliferation of drones, or Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), has opened new opportunities for monitoring, surveillance, and other industrial and civil applications. However, flight mission planning in these contexts presents significant challenges, particularly in terms of safety, risk management, and regulatory compliance. Conducting flight operations in populated environments poses risks to people on the ground: a potential incident resulting in the drone crashing could harm individuals, potentially leading to casualties. Consequently, developing tools for risk assessment and safe route planning is crucial to enable the use of drones in urban environments. In this thesis, an interactive web application is developed for the safe planning of drone flight operations in populated environments, aiming to provide a practical and secure tool for professional users, such as drone operators or surveillance agencies. The platform enables the planning and management of flight missions through a map-based interface, supported by features such as real-time risk map creation and safe route planning at minimal risk. The user can customize flight parameters, such as altitude and drone payload, and visualize critical information like risk maps generated by a specific algorithm. These maps help operators identify high-risk areas based on factors such as population density and surrounding environmental characteristics. The use of modern technologies, including React.js for the user interface and Node.js for back-end management, ensures a smooth and high-performance experience. The application communicates with a ROS (Robot Operating System) server that integrates algorithms for risk map generation and safe planning functionalities. The server processes the data and returns a visual representation of the risk areas to the application, which the user can view directly on the map. The communication leverages the WebSocket protocol for real-time data transmission and result retrieval. A fundamental aspect of the app's design is its compliance with international regulations regarding drone usage in populated environments. The app aligns with the SORA (Specific Operations Risk Assessment) guidelines, which establish the necessary safety parameters for conducting flight missions in complex scenarios. Users are guided through mission configuration in accordance with SORA criteria, such as defining risk areas and selecting appropriate operational parameters. This project represents a step forward in creating digital tools for the safe management of drone flights, with potential applications in surveillance, environmental monitoring, and logistics. The proposed solution aims to reduce operational risk and facilitate compliance with current regulations, supporting the efficient use of drones in cities and populated areas.