As a journalist, I envision the Washington State Department of Transportation’s (WSDOT) pilot program to combat graffiti as a fleet of drones descending upon Interstate 5 (I-5) with their paint nozzles ready. Inspired by watching “Apocalypse Now” too many times, this vision is what I see for the future of graffiti removal in the state.
In 2023, WSDOT spent $815,000 on graffiti removal, with workers dedicating over 10,000 hours to paint over 700,000 square feet of graffiti. Despite their efforts, new graffiti would sometimes appear just days or hours after an area was cleaned. This highlights the need for a more efficient and effective solution to combatting graffiti.
The answer may lie in the form of a drone built from an Aquiline Endure model. Equipped with a spray nozzle connected to a paint supply on the ground, these drones can be positioned anywhere tethered hoses can reach. This allows for quick removal of graffiti on tall structures like retaining walls, bridges, and overpasses. While the first drone failed during initial testing, the newest drone is now operational and being tested in Olympia and Tacoma under licensed drone operators in the Pierce County regional maintenance division.
However, technology may also play a role in combatting graffiti. The Washington legislature passed House Bill 1989 in 2024, providing WSDOT with $1 million to research traffic camera technology for monitoring graffiti removal. A report on the findings of this program will be submitted to the legislature in December for further evaluation. While it may take some time before this technology is implemented long term
