Document Type
Poster
Publication Title
College of Aeronautics Research Poster Session
Abstract
The increase in Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) sightings within the National Airspace System (NAS) has introduced many safety concerns, regulatory complications, and operational challenges, especially with the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) future removal of beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS). As UAS become more integrated, understanding the relationship between UAS sightings and city population density is of great importance for ensuring safety. This quantitative correlation examined the relationship between Southeast cities’ population density and reported UAS sightings in 2020. The data was obtained through the FAA’s UAS sightings report (2022) and the U.S. Census Bureau’s population data (2020) from the states Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia. RStudio analysis of the data resulted in 94 cities indicating a moderate, statistically significant positive correlation (r = .58, p < .001) with outliers, and ( r =.24, p = .025) without outliers, between population density and reported UAS sightings, suggesting that higher population densities are associated with more frequent sightings of UAS. The findings support the hypothesis that cities of higher population density experience more frequent UAS activity and reporting, which increases the potential of risk to the NAS. Results highlight the need for changes in the current regulations to mitigate the risks associated with UAS operations. Insights gained from this study may be able to assist the FAA and other policymakers when they are developing strategies to safely and effectively integrate UAS operations into the NAS.
Publication Date
12-4-2025
Recommended Citation
Bozard, Avalon; Berris, Rebecca; Perez, Mario; and Wheeler, Brooke, "Population Density and Recorded Unmanned Aerial Systems Sightings in Southeastern Cities" (2025). Aeronautics Student Publications. 31.
https://repository.fit.edu/aero_student/31