From Graffiti Zappers to Drone-Powered Solutions: Fighting Graffiti on Washington State’s Infrastructure

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has allocated $815,000 for graffiti removal in 2023, with workers spending over 10,000 hours covering 700,000 square feet of graffiti last year. Despite their efforts, new graffiti often appears shortly after an area is cleaned, prompting the need for a more efficient solution.

One such solution is the use of graffiti removal drones equipped with Aquiline Endure models. These drones are equipped with a spray nozzle connected to a paint supply on the ground and can be controlled by an operator from anywhere within reach of the tethered hose. This makes them 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. It is 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.

WSDOT emphasizes that it will take time to determine if this technology will be a long-term solution. However, they remain committed to finding an effective way to combat graffiti on their infrastructure. For more insights into transportation issues, follow Chris Sullivan’s Chokepoints series on X, formerly known as Twitter and check out KIRO Newsradio Traffic’s profile on X for updates.