Which States Are Prepared for the Drone Industry? A 50-State Report Card, Release 2.0

Worldwide, commercial drone services are being tested and permitted. Progress in the United States has been slow, in part because of a lack of clarity about the federal and state roles over drones and airspace management. To jumpstart the drone industry, states can create drone highways— aerial corridors directly above public roads. We score and rank the 50 states based on their laws and drone industry data that indicate their preparedness for drones and drone highways. Many states have laws that allow cities to lease the air rights above public roads, vest air rights with property owners, and establish avigation easements. With these laws, states can facilitate future drone operations in low-altitude airspace while Congress and the Federal Aviation Administration develop national drone policies. Creating a clear and coherent framework at the state and local level, such as a system of drone highways, will make parcel delivery faster, improve distribution of medical supplies, and create technology and logistics jobs