New England is still the least “drone-friendly” region in the country
Which region of the United States is considered the least “friendly” to drones? It may come as a surprise, but the winner by far is New England. In fact, Rhode Island is at the bottom of the list of states considered “ready” to adopt the drone industry, according to a 2022 scorecard compiled by the Mercatus Center, based in Fairfax, VA. Connecticut and New Hampshire rank 33rd and 4th respectively 35, also far down the list.
One reason might be population density. Because there is less habitable geographic space, drones cannot fly as freely as in states like North Dakota, Minnesota, or Oklahoma, with their vast prairies and relatively low population densities. All three states are among the most drone-friendly in the country. State governments have actively encouraged the growth of the drone industry through subsidies, treaties, and regulatory initiatives to remove legal and regulatory barriers to commercial and recreational drone flying. And they all house large drone flight test facilities and even industrial parks focused on drone development and manufacturing. In contrast, there is no such encouragement in New England, with the exception of Massachusetts,
A high population density is therefore an important factor. But it’s probably not the only one. After all, New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the country – yet the drone industry is thriving there. Ditto for Maryland, which has the fifth highest state density but whose UAV industry is near the top 10 in terms of drone friendliness.
Another factor might be New England’s culture, particularly its quiet, small-town ethos and celebration of individual freedom. Drones are perceived by many in this region as noisy and intrusive, posing a potential threat to communities where people know their neighbors and residents shop at local stores, often within walking distance of their homes. What possible need would New Englanders have for the new kind of long-distance airborne parcel deliveries of groceries and goods offered, for example, by Amazon or Walmart drones?
Walmart is, of course, everywhere in America, but not everywhere equally. In fact, Vermont has the fewest number of Walmart stores of any US state – just 6. Rhode Island has the second fewest at just 9. You understand. New England, by geography and temperament, isn’t really “drone country” — at least not yet.
Then there is politics. Liberal Mid-Atlantic States – Deep Blue states like Maryland and New Jersey seem to favor drones more consistently than conservative states. This may explain why, despite their high population densities, Massachusetts and Vermont favor drones more than their New England neighbors like Rhode Island, which is strictly conservative, or New Hampshire, which also tends to lean in that direction. Conservatives are particularly concerned about private property rights and the right to privacy. Drones can be perceived – rightly or wrongly – as a violation of these rights, which can make conservative small towns in any region particularly suspicious of them.
Is there hope for New England? Indeed, there is. Last year, the Connecticut State Police and State Department of Transportation began using drones to assess traffic patterns and defuse frequent and costly traffic jams. In New Hampshire, the Agricultural Experiment Station is using drones to monitor the state’s moose population, which is important for tourism but faces declines due to disease and overpopulation. Drones are less expensive and more efficient than traditional aerial survey methods, especially gas turbine helicopters, which also have a larger carbon footprint than battery-powered vehicles.
And little Rhode Island? Even the country’s most recalcitrant drone denier is starting to get excited about UAVs, local observers say. These trends are likely to continue as more New Englanders appreciate the unique contribution drones can make to the health and well-being of their residents – animals and people.
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