BARRIERS TO THE ADOPTION OF UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES IN INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

The aim of the study is to critically evaluate the factors bedeviling the adoption and use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for monitoring and evaluating infrastructural projects in Nigeria. A mixed study methodology was employed, utilizing a stratified random sampling technique and Taro Yamane's formula to ascertain a sample size of 266 respondents from a population of 802 practitioners throughout three areas in Nigeria. The data collection strategy comprised a focus group discussion and a meticulously designed questionnaire delivered to 266 participants. The gathered data was displayed through frequency distribution in tables and charts utilizing IBM SPSS Statistics version 26.0. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was employed to examine the study's objective. The findings identified six significant components: high operational and maintenance costs of UAVs, regulatory and legal constraints, insufficient operational expertise, resistance to adopting UAV technology, lack of awareness regarding UAV capabilities, and absence of an integration framework for UAV adoption. Six components were derived from sixteen factors identified during focus group discussions. These components are considered the primary factors hindering UAV acceptance and utilization in infrastructure projects. This report advocates for a coordinated effort to foster heightened awareness regarding the deployment of UAVs. Efforts should be directed at subsidizing the acquisition costs of UAVs to facilitate accessibility for industry stakeholders