Background Research
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Package Sorting Systems
here comes background research
Topic
Rules & Regulations
Drones & UAS
"Drone: an unmanned aircraft or ship that can navigate autonomously, without human control or beyond line of sight" [1]
Question: What flight regulations exist for drones in regards to height?
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has several regulations for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). Flight operations range from ground level to above 50,000 feet, depending on the specific type of aircraft. Drones, which fall under UAS regulations, are not allowed in Class B airspace (over large cities &/or airports) nor are the allowed to be flown above 400 feet due to interfere with national airspace [2] [3].Nowhere, however, have I been able to find a minimum height for these innovations to fly, as long they operate with no means to public harm.
Question: How does one get approval for commercial drone use?
Commercial drone package delivery would fall under the Civil UAS classification.
Currently, for civil operations one would have to apply for a “Special Airworthy Certificate, Experimental Category.” In this process one would have to show that the system can be operated safely, cause no harm to public, provide a description of how the system works etc. [4] This approval is granted for certain areas such as R&D, Market research and crew training for example [5].
The FAA Regulations are being revised due to the increase in interest of commercial and personal use of UAS’s. They are improving their UAS airworthiness certification process and developing a path for safe integration of civil UAS. How they plan to control these situations is still unclear, but I believe approval for UAS use will still be required.
What this means for our scenario:
Since we assume that drone will be able to make the delivery to our “mailbox” we have to project what the FAA may do in regards to safety & drone delivery. The above questions reveal that public safety is very important, so when designing we should consider that humans should be kept out of harm’s way when the drone is delivering a package. Whether that be through creation of a special garage the drone lands to drop, or a drop-off platform out of humans reach is up to us.
Mailboxes
The US postal service has certain requirements for mailboxes in varying locations (suburbs vs apartments vs city etc.) The location, height and size are all relative to the circumstance. Overall, however, a mail slot size may be minimally: 1.75 inches high by 10 inches wide [6].
There are many different kinds of mailboxes. For apartment purposes you may see cluster boxes (possibly located outside), horizontal boxes, or vertical boxes. [7]
- Mailboxes
- Vertical mailbox.jpg
Vertical Mailbox
Question: Are there package delivery “mailboxes”?
Yes.
Question: What are rules for changing/renovating mailboxes?
Deliveries
Question: How are packages delivered to apartments?
Mail delivery is logical, just place it in the mail slot. Currently, there are issues with delivering packages to an apartment. Some people, when not home to accept the package, tell the deliverers to bring it to the main office where they will hold it. If one’s apartment does not have a residential office in or near the complex, it is a little more difficult.
Couriers (UPS, FedX, USPS etc.) have different tactics when it comes to delivering a package. FedX makes the delivery and if no one is home, says they will return at a later time (reference). Others end up holding at a center.
There is not a “Package mailbox” and for many apartment situations where people cannot be home at times of delivery, this makes package delivery difficult.
Question: Is a signature required for most package deliveries?
No, mainly required for confidential documents etc.(Reference)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Package_delivery
Consideration/Thought: Create a package holding system for the drone delivery. Possibly also solution for current package delivery? – Means reachable for postman as well? Or No?
Materials
- Conveyor Belt
- Bar Code Scanner
- Wood
- Locks
- etc.
References
- ↑ http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/drone
- ↑ "Unmanned Aircraft Systems." (2014, 20 Aug). Federal Aviation Administration. <http://www.faa.gov/uas/>
- ↑ “Fact Sheet – Unmanned Aircraft Systems” (UAS) (2014, 6 Jan). Federal Aviation Administration. <http://www.faa.gov/news/fact_sheets/news_story.cfm?newsId=14153>
- ↑ "Civil Operations (Non-Governmental)." (2014, 15 July). Federal Aviation Administration. <http://www.faa.gov/uas/civil_operations/>
- ↑ "Experimental Category."(2011, 7 June). Federal Aviation Administration. <http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/airworthiness_certification/sp_awcert/experiment/>
- ↑ Bonsai Media Group. (2013, 23 Sept.). "A Guide to USPS Mailbox Regulations." Mail Boss - Locking Security Mailbox. Epoch Design.< http://www.mailboss.com/blog/guide-usps-mailbox-regulations/>
- ↑ http://www.mailboxes.com/products/
- ↑ http://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2012/pb22334/html/updt_001.htm
- ↑ https://www.usps.com/manage/know-mailbox-guidelines.htm
- ↑ http://www.florencemailboxes.com/apartment-mailboxes.php
- ↑ http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/327144-getting-packages-delivered-to-an-apartment/
- ↑ https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080724102843AAaUvT3