Identification of safe airspace above waterways by Monte Carlo simulation

• Main Author: Choo, Megan Ming-Hui
• Other Authors: Lyu Chen
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2024
• Subjects: Engineering
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/176983
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This report presents a comprehensive study of the applications of Monte Carlo simulation in determining a safe airspace boundary for drone motion above waterways. More specifically, it involved path planning, conducting thousands of simulations of drone trajectories, determining an appropriate risk tolerance to demarcate a safe waterway boundary, and finally, determining the necessary boundary width for safe drone motion. The Monte Carlo simulation results under a risk tolerance of 1% point to a minimum safe waterway boundary of 7.14 m. Out of 31 major waterways in Singapore, 24 are wider than 7.14 m and are therefore classified as safe for drone flight. This is a rather substantial proportion of waterways which serves as a proof of concept that the airspace above waterways are viable pathways for safe drone motion in Singapore.