As a journalist, I envision a sky filled with graffiti drones descending on Interstate 5 (I-5) with their spray nozzles ready as the sound of “Flight of the Valkyries” echoes in my mind. Perhaps my vision is influenced by watching “Apocalypse Now” too many times, but it’s how I see this Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) pilot program to combat graffiti, particularly on bridges and overpasses.
In 2023, WSDOT has allocated $815,000 for graffiti removal, with workers spending over 10,000 hours covering 700,000 square feet of graffiti last year. The agency’s crews have reported that new graffiti often appears shortly after an area is cleaned, prompting the need for a more efficient solution.
To address this issue, WSDOT has turned to Aquiline Endure model drones equipped with a spray nozzle connected to a paint supply on the ground. An operator can control the drone’s position anywhere within reach of the tethered hose, making it ideal for covering graffiti on tall structures like retaining walls, bridges, and overpasses. While the first drone used in testing failed, the newest drone is now operational and currently being tested in Olympia and Tacoma under the supervision of licensed drone operators within the Pierce County regional maintenance division.
The Washington legislature passed House Bill 1989 in 2024, providing WSDOT with $1 million to research traffic camera technology for graffiti removal monitoring. The agency will submit a report to the legislature in December on the program’s findings for further evaluation. WSDOT emphasizes that it will take time to determine if this technology will be a long-term solution. Chris Sullivan’s Chokepoints series provides more insights into transportation issues. Follow Chris on X (formerly known as Twitter) and check out KIRO Newsradio Traffic’s profile on X for updates.
