BY ISABELLA ZEFF
Amazon has introduced adjustments to its Prime Air drone delivery program in Richardson after residents voiced concerns about the noise and frequency of the drones. Sam Bailey, senior manager of economic develop- ment policy at Amazon, explained Amazon’s initial adjustments at the March 9 City Council meeting, although he said there is “more work to do.” The big picture Council approved a zoning change in June in a 4-3 vote to allow Amazon to offer drone deliveries within a 7.5-mile radius of its Richardson facility on Research Drive. The drone program launched in early December, delivering over 13,000 customer orders so far, Bai- ley said. Since the launch, residents who live near the Amazon facility have shared concerns about the noise, frequency and height of the drones that fly over their houses every day. “While we understand progress, that progress needs to be balanced with quality of life,” resident Nancy Crow said. “Lately while in my yard, on my patio, gardening or walking in Crowley Park, I consistently hear the buzz of drones overhead, and it is very irritating and not very peaceful.” Richardson does not have the ability to regulate most of the issues brought up in the complaints, Amazon rolls out drone delivery changes after resident concerns
Allen
SRT TOLL
Drone service area
Parker
LAVON LAKE
75
Murphy
DNT TOLL
Plano
Wylie
PGBT TOLL
Amazon facility
78
289
Sachse
Richardson
635
Garland
66
LAKE RAY HUBBARD
78
MAP NOT TO SCALE N
SOURCE: CITY OF RICHARDSON/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Woodcreek Church Decreasing the actual noise from the drone would require a hardware change, which will not be in development soon, Bailey said. Therefore, the primary method to decrease drone noise is by increasing their altitude. In addition to raising the average altitude to 225 feet, the eastward route redirection aims to ensure the drones reach maximum height prior to crossing over residential areas. “My goal is to make sure that anytime they are crossing a commercial line into a residential line, they’re at that 225 [feet],” Magner said.
as the drones are largely regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration, City Manager Don Magner said, but the city has worked with Amazon to address some of the concerns. What’s new Bailey said the following changes were imple- mented in February: • Increased minimum altitude for outbound flights to average of 225 feet • Redirected select outbound flights to route eastward over commercial area before entering
the Creek Hollow Estates neighborhood • Reduced overflight of greenway east of
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