About Drone Traffic Management System and API

Drone Traffic Management System

In the future, a large number of drones are expected to be used in various fields, including logistics, postal service, security, disaster investigation, inspection, surveying, and agriculture. In a world with heavy drone traffic, we need to acquire the flight plans and flight statuses of all drones and provide integrated drone management support to effectively prevent collisions and other dangers and ensure safe drone operation. We also need to provide weather information and 3D spatial information of terrain and buildings to drone operators.

R&D is underway for the Drone Traffic Management System in the Drones and Robots for Ecologically Sustainable Societies (DRESS) project under these circumstances.

The Drone Traffic Management System aims to allow multiple drones to safely and efficiently share airspace by aggregating the information of applicable controlled airspace and drones flying in that airspace, acquiring spatial and weather information, and providing flight management support to applicable drones based on this information.

The architecture of the Drone Traffic Management System, which was developed in this project based on the overall design created by JAXA, consists of the Integrated Traffic Management Function, Information Provision Function and Traffic Management Function that connects to these functions.

Function Description
Integrated Traffic Management Function The Integrated Traffic Management Function aggregates and manages information related to drones and airspace, shares flight information provided by other Traffic Management Function (connected operators), and provides services that ensure the safety of the entire airspace. This function is also used to make adjustments in the phase of creating flight plans, making sure there is no overlap in the drone flight paths and takeoff/landing fields. The statuses of flying drones are centrally managed. If there is a risk of collision, such as flying too close to other objects, this function provides flight safety information to the Traffic Management Function.
Information Provision Function The Information Provision Function provides detailed 3D spatial (geospatial) information and weather information (e.g., wind speed) for the altitude where the drone is flying, both of which are necessary for safe drone operation, to the Traffic Management Function.
Traffic Management Function The Traffic Management Function ensures safe drone operation. This function can also retrieve various information by connecting to the Integrated Traffic Management and Information Provision Functions and provide flight paths and other related information for preventing overlaps with other drone services and systems to the Traffic Management Function.
Drone Traffic Management System

Integrated Traffic Management Function

Functions Included in Integrated Traffic Management Function

Flight Plan Management Function (Developed by NEC)

This function is used for managing flight plans (flight paths and airspace) that drone operators submit using the Traffic Management Function and making sure there is no overlap in the flight plans, flight paths, airspace, and takeoff/landing field information submitted through other Traffic Management Function. It is also used to check if the weather is suitable for flying drones safely and to look for buildings and terrain, using 3D spatial information, that may interfere with the flights. If there is interference, a request to change the flight plan is submitted to the Traffic Management Function.

An example of flight plan management screens and adjustments made to flight plans

Airspace Information Management Function (Developed by NTT DATA)

This function provides the airspace management functionality necessary for multiple drone operators to collaborate and safely use the same airspace. While it integrates and manages no-fly zones, ground obstacle, and other information provided by other information provision functions, it also provides the information to the Traffic Management Function (drone operator) via API. In addition to this static information, it also has a mechanism for sending unplanned no-fly zone information, which may be set when there is a disaster, to the Traffic Management Function and sharing information with the Traffic Management Function the positions of manned aircrafts that may fly in the same airspace.

An image of collaborating systems for airspace information management

Flight Status Management Function (Developed by Hitachi)

When multiple operators fly their drones at the same time, this function receives real-time flight status information sent from the Traffic Management Function used by each operator, and tracks the positions, speed, and expected flight paths of all drones in flight. It also monitors proximity with other drones, no-fly zones, and ground obstacles, checks differences between flight plans and actual flight paths, and alerts the Traffic Management Function as necessary.

An image of collaborating systems for flight status management

Past Demonstration Tests of Drone Traffic Management System

The demonstration test that used the Drone Traffic Management System was conducted in December 2018 at the Fukushima Robot Test Field.
Click the link below for details.

Video of operation management system demonstration test for same airspace and multiple drones is released

Flight control system demonstration test for the same airspace and multiple drones was conducted

Information Provision Function

3D spatial information and weather information (Developed by Zenrin, Japan Weather Association)

Three-dimensional spatial information was created with accurate height data necessary for creating safe flight paths for drones and detecting proximity to power transmission towers, buildings, and other obstacles in the Minamisoma city and Namie town areas, including the Fukushima Robot Test Field. Data from weather observation equipment at the Fukushima Robot Test Field is used to provide high resolution and frequency wind information tailored for drones and to gather rain information.
This geospatial information is provided via API.

A bird’s-eye view of the Minamisoma City area
Weather information for drones (Left: Wind information, Right: Rain information)

API Overview

The Drone Traffic Management System provides API for the Integrated Traffic Management and Information Provision Functions. The API is provided as part of research and development.

By using the API, even domestic and foreign drone operators who have not participated in the NEDO project will be able to conduct interoperability tests with the drone traffic management system at the Fukushima robot test field.

We are also planning to release test tools for the API in 26 July. Our current plan is to start accepting applications for using and connecting to the Drone Flight Control System API and issuing IDs in 30 August.

Services can be enjoyed by implementing according to the API specification

API Connection Allows You to ...

◆ Share information related to drone operation

When multiple operators fly their drones in the same airspace for different purposes, each operator needs to share information on their drones with other operators to ensure safety. The Integrated Traffic Management Function provides the services described below. These services can be used via API.

(1) Submit flight plans before flying and check that they do not interfere with the flight plans of other operators.
(2) Share positions of drones while flying.
(3) Receive alerts when there is a dangerous situation and implement countermeasures.
(4) Refer to and utilize airspace information for safe drone operation.

◆ Understanding drone flight conditions (terrain and weather)

To make sure drones can be flown safely, you need to obtain accurate information on the terrain (3D spatial information), which could affect where the drones fly, and weather conditions, including wind and rain, etc.
The Information Provision Function provides 3D spatial information for the area around Fukushima Robot Test Field and weather (wind and rain) information based on drones' flight altitudes. This information can be obtained and used via API.

API Coverage

The API for the Integrated Flight Control Function is provided inside the Fukushima Robot Test Field (Minamisoma City Restoration Industrial Park, 83, Shin-Akanuma, Kaibama-aza, Haramachi, Minamisoma City, Fukushima). The API for the Information Provision Function is provided in the Fukushima Robot Test Field and the surrounding area.

Privacy Policy

We will collect, use, and manage personal information appropriately on the Integrated Drone Flight Control System API Website ("Website") as follows and make every effort so that you can use this Website with confidence.

1. Basic premise

PwC Consulting LLC, the administrator of the Integrated Drone Flight Control System API Website ("Website Administrator"), collects your information when you use this Website to the extent necessary for smooth operation of the services provided on this Website. The collected information will be handled appropriately within the scope necessary for the purposes of use.

2. Purposes of use

Your personal information will be used only for the purposes set forth below.
(1) To provide Integrated Drone Flight Control System API services.
(2) To answer questions regarding the Integrated Drone Flight Control System API.
(3) To examine and analyze the usage of Integrated Drone Flight Control System API services.
(4) To provide information related to the Drones and Robots for Ecologically Sustainable Societies (DRESS) project ("Project"), including invitations to events, seminars, and demonstration tests.
(5) To support the R&D of this Project.

3. Provision of personal information to third parties log

A. The acquired personal information will be provided to companies that provide Integrated Drone Flight Control System API services, within the scope necessary for the purposes of use stipulated in "2. Purposes of Use" for the smooth operation of services.

The information will be provided to NEC Corporation, NTT DATA Corporation, Hitachi, Ltd., and Zenrin Co., Ltd.

Personal information to be provided is company/organization names, departments, addresses, personal names, email addresses, phone numbers, and inquiries.

B. The Website Administrator will not provide personal information acquired to any third party not prescribed in the previous paragraph, except in cases of legal disclosure requests, unauthorized access, or threats and other unlawful acts, or for other special reasons. However, statistical information regarding access to the Website or information on users' attributes etc. may be made public.

4. Disclosure, correction, and deletion

If there is a request to disclose, correct, or delete personal information, we will follow up on the request as swiftly as possible, after verifying the identity of the person making the request. This, however, does not apply if the Website Administrator is not obligated to disclose information under applicable personal information protection laws and other laws.

5. Scope of application

This Privacy Policy applies only to this Website and does not apply to any other linked websites.

6. Amendment

This Privacy Policy is subject to change without notice, as necessary, by the Website Administrator. Any changes to the Privacy Policy will be notified to you in the method prescribed by the Website Administrator.