Regulatory Implications for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in Last-Mile Delivery

Abstract

This report examines the legal, regulatory, and societal barriers facing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as they are deployed for last-mile delivery with a particular focus on deployment in the United States (U.S.). The status quo for current legal and regulatory restrictions is first explored followed by a discussion on miscellaneous regulatory issues and areas of uncertainty that are likely to challenge unmanned aerial vehicles for last-mile delivery (UAV-LMD) deployment. This is followed by an evaluation of potential societal barriers imposed on UAV-LMD and the likely regulatory pathways through which these barriers will manifest. This report offers a nominal set of restrictions likely to limit operators and their fulfillment network planning and strategic design.