Author: Elizabeth Max
In the Western Alaska hub community of Bethel, where only 16 miles of roads exist and is surrounded by wilderness, a broader regional transportation network becomes apparent from a wider perspective. This network includes the approximately 300-mile Kuskokwim River Ice Road. Ryan Marlow, drone program manager for the Alaska Division of Statewide Aviation, recognizes an opportunity to extend the reach of drones and remote sensing technology far beyond the established road system. This initiative prioritizes public safety and commences with the ice road. “During a drone training session in Bethel on April 12, Marlow emphasized the importance of leveraging digital…