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Drones currently used by police and fighting wildfires will be tested in Washington after the House bill passes. The governor has already signed it, so the project is officially underway.

The measure, which will go into effect in early June, would allow the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to use UAVs to paint graffiti, particularly on stretches of highway between Seattle and Tacoma. The constant appearance of new graffiti has become a real nightmare.

The law also calls on authorities to “field test drone spraying technology to more effectively paint over existing graffiti.” Prevent or punish future graffiti hooligans. To do this, they should “investigate and test improvements to systems that can detect people damaging property by painting graffiti” from drones flying overhead.

Rep. Andrew Barkis, who drafted the bill, told Washington radio station KIRO why using drones to paint graffiti makes sense.

Two people can sit in the truck, fly the drone, and paint over the graffiti so they can paint over it faster and cheaper.
– says Barkis.

If the graffiti was made in a high place, you will no longer need to drive a special car with a lift. It does not hinder the movement of cars on busy roads. Additionally, spraying paint often allows you to reduce costs compared to applying it with a regular brush or paint roller.

Graffiti on road signs. Often not painted over, completely replaced / Photo: Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)

He also explained why he decided to fight graffiti: “The explosion of graffiti in our state has become a serious problem that requires an immediate and comprehensive response. This bill acknowledges Washingtonians’ frustration with graffiti on our roadways and sends a clear signal that enough is enough.”.

It’s a deep problem

Using drones to paint graffiti on posts and walls aims to reduce the cost of fighting graffiti, which is illegal in Washington. A widely cited blog post by the state Department of Transportation mentions: $1.4 million spent masking graffiti in the last two years.

It is particularly expensive for authorities to replace road signs that vandals are particularly fond of. Each such sign can cost up to $50,000, depending on its size.