The use drones for planning and its related fields has obvious and immediate potential. So far, however, the use of drones lacks a coherent regulatory framework.
According to an article by Katherine Robison, "there is currently no comprehensive framework governing 1) the use of drones in U.S. airspace and 2) the use of data captured by these drones."
What exists instead is a "patchwork" of laws and regulations, including efforts by the Federal Aviation Administration, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and state governments.
Robison cites a recently approved law in Florida, called the Freedom from Unwarranted Surveillance Act (SB 766), which specifically prohibits the use of drones to capture images of private property without the owner's consent.
A federal bill [pdf], recently authored by Sen. Edward Markey (D-Mass.) and Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.), would fill the gaps in regulation for drones. According to Robison, "[the] Drone Aircraft Privacy and Transparency Act of 2015 include transparency requirements and limits the law enforcement use of drones, requiring either a warrant or exigent circumstances."
FULL STORY: REGULATING DRONES AND PRIVACY: SO FAR, A PIECEMEAL APPROACH
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North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA)
Economic & Planning Systems, Inc.
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research