Masters Thesis

Improving Logistics in Alaska through Drones

Alaska is a place that has challenges to logistics due to its geography and the remoteness as a region which affects the flow of goods and services statewide. Drones have become an emerging technology that offers solutions which provide more reliable logistics to remote regions. Alaska’s difficulties with logistics stem from seasonal weather patterns and remoteness of towns. These difficulties severely hinder logistics due to infrastructure being unavailable or limited. Communities depend on logistics to receive critical supplies to sustain life; any gap in services can have dire consequence and even be fatal. During the winter and times of low temperatures, primary forms of logistics like planes and marine transportation can be halted for days. Drones are not restricted as much as other transportation modes and alleviate the possibility of loss of human life due to transportation accidents. Drones present an opportunity to provide logistics in both in humanitarian and commercial realm that is more reliable and transport goods that would otherwise be unavailable. This technology represents a chance to provide solutions to food, water, medical, and other supply needs to remote villages. Drones can be flown day or night with an opportunity to improve logistics throughout Alaska from existing forms of logistics.

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