The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is expected to issue new guidelines allowing drone operators to fly them at night and over humans who are not operating them, the department said on Monday.
The new rules, which will be written in the Federal Register in January and take effect 60 days later, will address security issues related to the identification of flight systems remotely from the ground, Reuters reported, calling the move an important step towards expanding commercial deliveries.
“The new rules open the way for greater integration of drones in our airspace, addressing security issues,” said FAA administrator Steve Dickson. “They bring us closer to the day when we will see drone operations more routinely, like package delivery.”
Reuters reported that drone manufacturers will have 18 months to start making drones with remote identification systems and that operators will have another year to purchase them.
Drone operators are currently required to obtain an exemption if they want to fly one at night or over people not involved in the operation of the drone.
Several major companies, such as Amazon, have already tested the delivery service using unmanned aerial vehicles.