Mayor Mattie Parker, City of Fort Worth | City of Fort Worth website
Mayor Mattie Parker, City of Fort Worth | City of Fort Worth website
Published on August 28, 2024
Fort Worth has become the first major metropolitan U.S. city to offer commercial drone deliveries. This service is currently available for deliveries from select Walmart stores in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, allowing residents to receive food, medicine, and household items at their doorstep in about 10 minutes.
The drones operate as part of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), a transportation system utilizing innovative aircraft such as electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles. These unmanned aerial systems (UAS) are controlled remotely to provide quick and efficient deliveries.
Safety remains a top priority. With extensive flight testing and a Part 135 Air Carrier Certificate from the FAA, the drones adhere to high safety standards. Privacy concerns are also addressed; drones are equipped with low-resolution cameras solely for navigation purposes, without live feeds or photographs.
Drone deliveries offer significant environmental benefits by using less energy than typical household appliances and reducing road congestion by decreasing vehicle trips for deliveries.
As this service launches, Fort Worth will continue to implement policies and apply local zoning laws that address the location of takeoff and landing sites, as well as drone equipment storage.
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