In a joint investigation, the municipality of The Hague and the police detected over 11,600 drone movements in one year – more than expected and often in no fly zones.
The collaboration was set up to gain insight into drone use in The Hague. In addition to the number of drone flights, the type of drone and the flight distance were also measured. The test will be continued in the coming years to collect additional data.
Drone detection: from theory to practice
The municipality conducted this trial with the police in the joint innovation hub SHIELD in the period from September 2023 to September 2024.
“We are currently in a situation where there are many restrictions on paper, but drones are still being flown a lot. This research shows that drones are an undeniable part of the current urban environment. We want to move towards a situation where useful drone flights are given space within the rules. In addition, we are looking at how enforcement of unwanted flights can be effectively organised. Attention to safety and privacy is of course always paramount,” says alderman Saskia Bruines (Economic Development). “We have now taken a first step towards shaping a future with drones in The Hague. We are in good contact with all relevant partners, including the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, the Aviation and Transport Inspectorate and the Central Government Real Estate Agency.”
For the trial, SHIELD used three sensors that detect drones by picking up radio signals between the drone operator and the drone itself. The system did not collect any personal data. The location and identity of the drone operator were unknown. Enforcement of illegal flights was not a goal of the research.
Key Findings
- A total of 11,622 drone flights were registered.
- Many flights took place in no-fly zones. These zones are set up by the national government. For example, around ministries, the royal palaces and the port of Scheveningen.
- Drones under 250 grams accounted for 73% of detections. A pilot’s license is not required for this type of drone.
- Drones are by far most commonly used in spring and summer, with peaks in good weather conditions.
It is expected that the sensors were not able to detect all drones. This is due to signal interruption between tall buildings. The actual number of flights is therefore probably higher. It is also unknown for what purpose a drone was flown and whether someone had permission to fly in a no-fly zone.
Follow-up
The results provide sufficient reason to continue the research. SHIELD is doing this together with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, which is responsible for the national drone policy. Because many drone pilots do not have a pilot’s license, awareness of the rules is a new element in the test. It is also being investigated how illegal drone flights can be effectively enforced.
Read the evaluation report of the trial here (in Dutch)
Text: Gemeente Den Haag, Translation: The Hague Online.
Photo: Chiu Man (then Head of Operations of the Police Unit The Hague) and Saskia Bruines (Alderman of the Municipality of The Hague) at the start of the trial in 2023. Photographer: Frank Jansen