Traffic congestion and accidents present increasing challenges in the Netherlands, particularly due to high population density and complex urban conditions. This research explores the potential of drones as a solution for improving road traffic management by Rijkswaterstaat (RWS), focusing on policy and technological aspects. Utilising Kingdon’s Multiple Streams framework, adapted to include problem, technology, and regulatory and policy flows, the study provides a holistic view of the innovation process within RWS.

The investigation addresses key sub-questions: the challenges RWS has faced in road traffic management, opportunities and challenges of drone technology, regulatory and policy issues, and the convergence of these factors to create innovation opportunities. Through a qualitative approach, including literature reviews, actor analysis, and semi-structured interviews, the study examines the dynamics of drone implementation.

Findings reveal complex challenges such as efficient incident management and infrastructure monitoring, compounded by budgetary constraints and the need for new technologies. Drones offer significant opportunities but face obstacles like manual control limitations and regulations for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations.

The research highlights the importance of internal and external changes for successful drone integration, recommending strategic resource allocation, increased internal awareness, and collaboration with regulatory bodies to create a supportive framework. This study aims to guide RWS in effectively adopting drone technology for road traffic management, balancing internal innovation readiness with external legislative developments.