In recent years, several innovative transportation data collection technologies have developed, including global positioning satellites, Bluetooth detectors, video detectors, lidar detectors, and radar detectors. While these technologies have been useful for data acquisition of both points (e.g., volume counts at a given location) and space data (e.g., travel time between two locations), they are still limited to gathering data on multiple vehicles over both time and space. This paper will examine the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) for transportation data collection. First, a literature review will be provided over the framework of UAV operations and current popular platforms with a focus on their capabilities, costs, and limitations. The review emphasis on the use of UAVs for speed behavior analysis, gap acceptance and merging behavior. Lastly, the challenges and consideration of UAV technologies for collecting traffic data in developing countries will be discussed with applications on Vietnam situations.
