Intelligent UAV swarm scheduling algorithm for urban inspection task

Haoyu Xu ()

Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology, 2025, vol. 9, issue 4, 2751-2767

Abstract: This research develops an intelligent UAV swarm scheduling algorithm to optimize urban infrastructure inspection processes by minimizing inspection time while ensuring comprehensive coverage. We formulate the challenge as a mixed integer non-linear programming problem and propose a decomposition approach addressing three critical components: structure-specific path planning, market-based task allocation, and conflict-free scheduling. Our methodology integrates these components through an iterative process within a hybrid centralized-decentralized architecture tailored for urban environments. Simulation results demonstrate that our algorithm reduces inspection time by 35% compared to single-UAV approaches while maintaining 98% coverage completeness. The approach exhibits 40% improved energy efficiency in limited-battery scenarios and polynomial-time computational complexity that scales efficiently with increasing swarm size. The algorithm typically converges within 3-5 iterations to near-optimal solutions. The proposed framework successfully balances inspection quality and resource efficiency while adapting to urban-specific challenges, including GPS degradation, obstacle avoidance, and structural complexity. Structure-specific inspection patterns significantly enhance efficiency across different infrastructure elements. This research advances UAV-based infrastructure monitoring capabilities, offering potential benefits for maintenance planning, public safety, and urban resilience. The computational efficiency makes the solution suitable for deployment on resource-constrained platforms typical in UAV applications.

Keywords: Energy efficiency; Infrastructure monitoring; Optimization; Path planning; Scheduling algorithm; Task allocation; UAV swarm; Urban inspection. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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