The city of Fort Worth recently announced that it would be the first major metropolitan city in the country to offer commercial drone deliveries. Walmart is the first to participate, offering delivery from select stores. The development brings together many elements, from privacy and business innovation to environmental and urban impact. Several TCU faculty offered their input on the various aspects.
URBAN IMPACT
Sean Crotty, associate professor of geography
As the first major city to allow commercial drone delivery, Fort Worth and its elected officials will be paving the way. How do you see this playing out?
Some of the technology used for drone delivery is being developed in the AllianceTexas Mobility Innovation Zone in north Fort Worth. Demonstrating that our community is open to being a real-world testing ground for these sorts of technologies should help to attract more businesses to the region, so this is a smart choice from an economic development standpoint. Being technology-forward and focused is a clear priority of Mayor Mattie Parker’s administration, and I think this fits into that framework as well. In terms of zoning, there’s no land-use zoning that applies to aerial drones, so the city will be making it up as they go. This is always the case with new technologies; we didn’t have regulations about the legally acceptable times to use gas mowers or leaf-blowers until enough folks were waking their neighbors up with them that the city was forced to get involved. This will probably work similarly. There may be some regulations at the outset, like they can’t fly near hospitals or other places where helicopters make a lot of unscheduled take-offs and landings, or they can’t fly over schools during class hours, etc. Over time, the regulations will become more nuanced as the general public weighs in on what they like or don’t like about them.
PRIVACY AND SECURITY CONCERNS
Bo Mei, associate professor of computer science
According to the city of Fort Worth, the drones will operate securely and respect residents’ privacy. Can a program like this be successfully implemented and maintain privacy?
Yes, but it requires careful planning and stringent regulations. The
use of low-resolution cameras that are solely for navigation purposes and not for capturing live feeds or photographs is a significant step toward ensuring privacy. Additionally, the deployment of drones in a controlled and regulated manner, with oversight from agencies like the FAA, helps to address privacy concerns. However, the success of maintaining privacy also depends on how transparent the program is with the public and how responsive it is to any concerns that arise. Public trust can be built through clear communication about how data is collected, stored and used. Regular audits and third-party assessments can also help ensure that privacy standards are being met.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Weiwei Liu, associate professor of economics
The city of Fort Worth stated that drones use less energy than typical household appliances. What do you see as the potential environmental impact and economic impact of drone deliveries in a metropolitan city?
One of the potential benefits of drone deliveries is to reduce CO2 emissions that contribute to climate change. The drones used by Walmart from Wing and Zipline are purportedly all electric and have zero carbon emissions. With drones replacing some of the traditional diesel or gas delivery vans, retail delivery services in the area will likely see lower carbon footprints. Note that emissions from drone batteries and electricity generation are not taken into consideration here. If widespread use is eventually adopted, drone deliveries will potentially reduce traffic congestion, save time on commuting and lower the probability of traffic accidents.
THE BUSINESS ASPECT
Travis Tokar, professor of supply chain management
What motivates a major retailer such as Walmart to engage in drone deliveries? How might drone deliveries impact the supply chain, consumer behavior, etc.?
Retailers competing online are in a fierce battle of one-upmanship regarding last-mile delivery services, with lead times growing ever shorter to attract and retain customers. This is sometimes referred to as the “Amazon Effect,” as the company has driven much of the change in shoppers’ delivery expectations over the years. The availability of drone delivery could usher in some lifestyle changes for people who need a last-minute birthday gift or cooking ingredient. However, I don’t foresee drones impacting the supply and demand of goods at the macro level.This is in part due to current limits on delivery (weight, size, etc.) and the relatively high delivery fees. Stores and distribution centers will need to include space for drone operations, which might require some adjustments. However, my understanding is that a large footprint is not required.
INFLUENCE ON HEALTH
Don Thushara Galbadage, associate professor of applied health science
If drone delivery becomes more and more widespread, what is the potential impact on community health? Similarly, what could be the concerns for privacy and safety?
Drone delivery of medications supports the essential public health service of promoting equitable access to care, particularly for underserved and vulnerable populations. These groups include the elderly, people with disabilities, those living in rural or remote areas, low-income individuals and patients with debilitating acute or chronic illnesses, all of whom face barriers such as lack of transportation or mobility issues that delay access to timely health care. By delivering medications directly to homes, this technology helps reduce those barriers and enhance health equity. It can also provide timely access to life-saving medications in emergencies and complements telemedicine by enabling patients to receive both virtual care and physical treatments without leaving their homes.
However, concerns remain about the safety and security of sensitive pharmaceuticals, such as controlled substances, during transport. Additionally, privacy risks may arise if personal health data associated with deliveries are compromised. There is also the potential for health care inequities to widen if rural or underserved communities have limited access to drone services. Despite these challenges, with careful regulation and equitable deployment, drone delivery has the potential to improve access to care and improve population health.
COMMUNITY IMPACT
Debi Iba, senior instructor of communication studies
How might the use of drones impact communities and the ability of drone delivery to serve quickly, especially in areas where food access or transportation might be limited?
Drone deliveries certainly have the potential to positively impact our Fort Worth communities. Everyone eats. But not everyone has easy and safe access to food and necessary goods. Think of families with infants and young children, people with fragile health, or those with constraints on mobility and transportation. While anyone might benefit from a reliable and convenient mechanism for delivery, for more vulnerable populations, drone delivery could be the difference between having a meal or going hungry, getting medicine and first-aid supplies when urgent, or not. Drones will literally change the way we use our community spaces and places. Ultimately, drone deliveries offer all of us the opportunity to be included in a larger community of support. And that is a very good thing.
