This presentation explores how drones, smartphones, digital twins, and artificial intelligence are transforming data collection and asset inspections for local governments and transportation agencies.  The session includes an overview of drone fundamentals, FAA certification and regulatory considerations, and best practices for aerial data collection.  Drone enabled-AI powered workflows allow agencies to safely create shareable digital twins, interactive visualizations, and GIS integrated datasets that improve efficiency and data clarity for infrastructure inspections.  Emerging AI tools automate defect detection and reporting, producing actionable insights.  Where drone operations are impractical, mobile phone scanning provides an alternative method for capturing high resolution, geolocated data for smaller assets.  This presentation concludes by highlighting key benefits of drone and phone based digital twin workflows.

Chris Skipworth, EI, is a bridge engineer and FAA certified drone pilot at Fishbeck, Inc.  Chris has a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from The Ohio State University and is attending Cincinnati State’s Land Surveying course of study in pursuit of obtaining dual Professional Engineer (PE) and Professional Surveyor (PS) licenses.  He is a founding member of Fishbeck's drone program.

A buffet lunch will be served.

Attendees will receive 1.0 Professional Development Hours for Engineering

Reservations: Those wishing to attend should make your reservations no later than noon on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, with Jon Wheeler by email at jon.wheeler@yahoo.com or by phone at (937) 239-5982 (mobile).

Cost: $30-Members                       

          $40-Non-Members                                 

          $15-Students