Valeria Martinez
Swapnil Samant
Rafael Aldrete
by Valeria Martinez, Swapnil Samant and Rafael Aldrete
High-speed vehicle pursuits are among the most dangerous situations faced by law enforcement and the public. Each year, these chases result in crashes, injuries and, in too many cases, fatalities. In regions like El Paso, Texas, the frequency of such pursuits has increased sharply, raising concerns among policymakers and communities about how to respond more safely and effectively.
These concerns are reflected in a growing body of statewide data that shows increases in both the number of pursuits and the severity of their outcomes in recent years. In particular, the El Paso region has seen a sharp rise in pursuit incidents, while statewide figures also show a growing number of fatal crashes involving drivers fleeing law enforcement.
In response to these rising numbers and the challenges they present, public agencies are exploring alternative strategies that reduce risk without compromising public safety. One promising avenue is the integration of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly referred to as drones, into law enforcement operations.
A Complement to Traditional Pursuit Tactics
Traditionally, helicopters have provided valuable aerial support during pursuits, offering a broad field of vision and the ability to track suspects over long distances. UAVs can serve as a complementary tool in these operations, enhancing situational awareness by accessing areas that helicopters may not be able to monitor as closely — such as underpasses, narrow corridors or complex urban environments. Their rapid deployment and maneuverability make them especially useful in the initial stages of a pursuit or in areas where a helicopter may not yet be on scene.
UAVs equipped with high-resolution video, infrared imaging and AI-driven tracking could provide real-time data to officers on the ground. These tools might help determine a fleeing vehicle’s location, speed and direction, and even offer early indicators such as vehicle overheating. In some cases, UAVs may also assist in identifying the number of passengers or the presence of weapons — details that could inform a more effective and safer tactical response.
These possibilities suggest that UAVs may offer more than just eyes in the sky. With the right systems and procedures in place, they could become a valuable tool for improving situational awareness and reducing the risk to everyone involved in high-speed pursuits.
A drone monitors traffic patterns over a major highway corridor in El Paso in this AI-generated rendering.
Navigating the Regulatory Environment
As with any advanced technology, deploying UAVs in high-stakes operations requires careful planning and compliance with federal regulations. Under Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules, UAV operators must be certified under Part 107 and adhere to guidelines that include maintaining visual line of sight (VLOS) and avoiding restricted or prohibited airspace.
However, waivers can be obtained for operations that go beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) or involve flying in controlled airspace. Some regions, such as near the El Paso International Airport, have already secured specialized exemptions allowing for more flexible UAV operations. For law enforcement, securing these waivers in advance — through blanket authorizations for geographic zones and timeframes — could support quicker response times in high-risk scenarios.
Agencies interested in exploring these tools will need to consider internal protocols, team training and mission planning. This includes establishing clear roles for flight crews, submitting operational plans through appropriate channels, and preparing for coordination with aviation authorities. These are complex but manageable steps — and they’re critical to ensuring UAV integration is done safely and effectively.
A researcher monitors a drone in flight at Texas A&M’s RELLIS Campus using a live video feed from the aircraft’s onboard camera.
Looking Ahead: Research That Supports Safer Communities
Although the current focus is on the El Paso region, the underlying questions have broader implications for communities across the country. Communities across the nation face similar concerns about the safety and effectiveness of high-speed pursuit strategies. Exploring how UAVs might enhance law enforcement capabilities — while reducing risk to the public — is a timely and important research priority.
The Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI), through its Center for International Intelligent Transportation Research (CIITR), is well positioned to help explore these questions. With technical expertise in drone operations, simulation and regulatory analysis, CIITR researchers are actively evaluating how UAVs could complement existing public safety tools. Partnerships with the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service and facilities like the Texas A&M-RELLIS Campus further support this work, allowing for controlled testing, training and operational planning. The RELLIS Campus serves as a state-of-the-art proving ground for both manned and unmanned systems, supporting controlled and autonomous testing across air and ground platforms. From drone capabilities to smart intersections, the RELLIS Campus provides an ideal environment for proof-of-concept demonstrations and performance evaluation — helping TTI and its partners explore the best future for mobility and public safety.
With FAA-certified drone operators on staff, TTI is equipped to conduct mock pursuit simulations that explore how UAVs perform under various real-world conditions. These simulations could include factors such as vehicle speed, number of occupants, environmental obstacles and thermal imaging. The insights gained can help identify where UAVs are most effective, inform operational protocols and shape best practices for future deployment in pursuit scenarios.
As UAV technology advances, new questions will emerge: What protocols ensure safe integration in fast-evolving events? What infrastructure or communication systems need to be in place? And how can this technology scale beyond a single region?
These are the kinds of questions CIITR researchers are prepared to investigate — and the answers could help shape safer strategies for communities across Texas and beyond.
Valeria Martinez is an associate transportation researcher with the Center for International Intelligent Transportation Research (CIITR) in TTI’s El Paso office. Swapnil Samant is a research scientist and manager of the El Paso Research and Implementation Program. Rafael Aldrete is an associate agency director overseeing TTI’s Operations Group and director of CIITR, also based in El Paso.