The Ray, GDOT and Troup County Launch Drone Program to Innovate Emergency Response
The Ray has partnered with the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), Troup County, and autonomous flight leader Skydio to launch a pioneering "Drone as a First Responder" (DFR) program along "The Ray Highway" on Interstate 85. This strategic safety collaboration aims to transform emergency response in rural West Georgia by providing first responders with critical, real-time aerial intelligence.
By donating Skydio drones and providing specialized training to local emergency teams, The Ray is enabling Troup County to become the first local government in a rural U.S. region to operationalize this technology. These "first eyes on the scene" will provide public safety agencies with rapid, accurate situational awareness, allowing for more efficient resource allocation and potentially life-saving decision-making during incidents.
“Drones acting as first responders bring critical capability for crisis and emergency management and are already deployed across the country in small, medium and large communities. We at The Ray are proud to bring an opportunity home to The Ray Highway, to help Troup County develop robust, reliable, and safe drone operations.”
Key Initiatives of the DFR Program:
Enhanced Situational Awareness: Drones offer rapid assessment of crashes, missing persons, hazardous situations, and disasters, providing live video feeds to responders on the ground.
Rural Innovation: Troup County is setting a new national benchmark by adapting DFR technology, typically seen in urban centers, for use in a rural, interstate-heavy environment.
Strategic Collaboration: The program integrates the expertise of GDOT, The Ray, and local fire and marshal departments to optimize safety across critical freight corridors, including I-85, I-185, and I-75.
Future Growth: The partnership is currently seeking a federal SMART Grant to expand the program’s scope, including the acquisition of remote operations equipment and pursuing advanced FAA authorizations for autonomous flight.
“At Skydio we are proud to partner with The Ray and Troup County in their pursuit to make their community a safer place. Drones enable enforcement agencies to assess potential dangerous scenes and get to hard-to-reach areas where every minute is critical. ”
This initiative underscores a shared commitment to transforming transportation infrastructure with the ultimate goal of achieving "Zero Deaths" on roadways through innovative, high-tech intervention.
Media Contact
Dallen McLemore, Communications Specialist, The Ray
229.449.6168 | dallen@theray.org | @TheRayHighway
