Planners Experiment with Unmanned Aerial Systems to Improve Maine Towns

Maine planners are finding new ways to use aerial photos and drone technology to improve transportation and environmental planning.

1 minute read

December 3, 2016, 5:00 AM PST

By CHorose


Greater Portland Council of Governments (GPCOG) is experimenting with drones to create videos and images that offer new perspectives on local assets. 

Drones—also known as Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)—have been used for the following and more:

  • Road corridor fly-overs
  • Traffic flow and behavior analysis
  • Creating aerial basemaps (orthoimages)
  • Generating 3D visualizations
  • Promotional videos for communities

The Maine Association of Planners highlights projects for each of these uses, offering illustrative videos and images.

Thursday, October 13, 2016 in Maine Association of Planners

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

High-rise apartment buildings in Waikiki, Hawaii with steep green mountains in background.

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss

The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

April 6, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 10, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Historic stone structure surrounding natural spring in India with plaques.

Restoring Northern India’s Himalayan ‘Water Temples’

Thousands of centuries-old buildings protect the region’s natural springs and serve as community wells and gathering places.

30 minutes ago - Reasons to Be Cheerful

Blue Bublr bikes parked at station on sidewalk in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Milwaukee to Double Bike Share Stations

Bublr Bikes, one of the nation’s most successful, will add 500 new e-bikes to its system.

1 hour ago - OnMilwaukee

Frosted plexiglass kiosks for outdoor dining installed on Washington DC sidewalk.

DC Extends Application Window for Outdoor Dining Permits

District restaurants will have until the end of November to apply, but businesses with permits in rush hour parking lanes must end operations on July 31.

2 hours ago - DC News