Among the many developments in field of supply chain management that is showing promise around the world is drone delivery. Using drones to deliver products directly to consumers keeps vehicles off congested roads and reduces emissions, making the process of delivering goods more convenient and eco-friendly. Holly Springs, a town outside of Raleigh, NC, is aiming to be one of the first companies to use drones to revolutionize food deliveries in their community. If their efforts are successful, it could lead to major changes nationwide in delivery protocols.
How did Holly Springs end up on the forefront of drone delivery?
Holly Springs used to be a rural community of less than 1,000 people. In less than three decades, the population in the town has grown to over 30,000, thanks to sprawl from nearby Raleigh and the Research Triangle Park area. This huge increase in population meant that infrastructure has been slow to catch up, and as a result, traffic is a significant issue.
The assistant director of engineering for Holly Springs saw an opportunity to reduce traffic by replicating a program that already exists in Iceland to use drones for food deliveries. Using drones cuts down on traffic, making it more convenient and faster for businesses to make deliveries to consumers. The town launches the process of having its airspace approved for drone use with the FAA, NC Department of Transportation, and a company that manufactures drones.
How is the program working for residents?
The Holly Springs program is in the initial phase of testing. Under the program, drones have to be in the sight of operators. However, through testing, the town hopes to alleviate regulatory hurdles to make commercial drone operation for deliveries more viable. Other delivery companies are paying close attention to their work in hopes of leveraging the convenience of drone delivery should Holly Springs prove the concept.
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