Urban aerial mobility - A solution to global traffic congestion?
Many solutions (or some that have proved to not actually solve anything) have been earmarked as the ‘next big thing’ in the traffic technology and smart mobility sectors. Some would argue that should be a singular ‘sector’ but that’s for another article.
In latter years perhaps the two most marketable next big things have been Mobility as a Service (MaaS) and Electric Vehicles (EVs). Both MaaS and EVs have had their fair share of coverage in the global mobility press over the years and that they are still newsworthy and noteworthy topics is testament to the fact that they are now bona fide ‘big things’ that have shed the ‘next’ prefix.
So what’s next? What is the next big thing in traffic technology and smart mobility? As urban populations exponentially increase and cities grapple with ever-increasing congestion combined with burgeoning pressure to make better use of public space, the search for innovative solutions has somewhat intensified. Intertraffic decided to avert its gaze from the road and look upwards.
Perhaps the most promising advancement, and certainly one of the most financially viable, is urban aerial mobility (UAM), which sees electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft transport passengers and cargo. UAM, which can also encapsulate “unmanned” aircraft, seemingly has the potential to revolutionise the notion of urban mobility, offering numerous benefits while addressing some of the most pressing challenges faced by cities all over the world.
One of the most immediate and tangible benefits of UAM is its potential to reduce congestion. By devoting a portion of road (and rail) traffic to the air, cities can alleviate pressure on their road networks, decreasing travel times but also concurrently improving the efficiency of its existing transport systems, making urban mobility more timely and reliable, not to mention the environmental and health benefits of reducing emissions.
One of the most immediate and tangible benefits of UAM is its potential to reduce congestion. By devoting a portion of the traffic to the air, cities can alleviate pressure on their road networks
EMISSIONS STATEMENT
Electric-powered eVTOLs contribute significantly to reducing urban air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Traditional internal combustion engine vehicles are, as we are all aware, major pollutants, and by replacing them with electric aircraft, cities can move towards achieving their sustainability goals. The reduction in vehicular emissions also contributes to better air quality, which has direct health benefits for urban populations.
UAM can also enhance connectivity, particularly in cities with less than idea infrastructure or challenging geography or topography. By providing direct, point-to-point, even end-to-end travel, not to mention last-mile delivery solutions, eVTOLs can connect remote or underserved areas with city centres efficiently. In what can be seen as a triple win, the improved connectivity fosters economic growth, reduces travel inequality and enhances the overall accessibility of urban areas.
UAM can also enhance connectivity, particularly in cities with less than idea infrastructure or challenging geography or topography
The development and deployment of UAM technology will also open up new economic opportunities. From manufacturing and maintenance of eVTOLs themselves to the creation of supporting infrastructure like ‘vertiports’ (landing pads for eVTOLs), new industries and job opportunities will subsequently emerge. By easing congestion, UAM can improve the efficiency of business operations that rely on the timely movement of people and goods.
FEASIBLE OR UNREASONABLE?
Recent advancements in battery technology, materials science, and autonomous flight systems have brought UAM closer to reality. Companies such as California’s Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation, Volocopter from Germany and the UK’s Sora, among many others, are already testing eVTOL prototypes, demonstrating their viability. These aircraft are designed to be safe, quiet and ultimately capable of operating in urban environments, addressing some of the primary concerns associated with aerial transport. Globally there are over 850 UAM projects underway at various stages of completion.
Companies such as California’s Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation, Volocopter from Germany and the UK’s Sora, among many others, are already testing eVTOL prototypes, demonstrating their viability
The feasibility of UAM heavily depends on the establishment of regulatory frameworks that are fit for purpose. Agencies such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) are actively working on regulations to ensure the safe integration of eVTOLs into urban airspace. Clear guidelines and standards are essential for addressing safety, air traffic management and public acceptance.
DEVELOPING THE INFRASTRUCTURE
The successful deployment of UAM requires the development of supporting infrastructure, including vertiports, as mentioned earlier, and charging stations. Urban planners and governments will need to collaborate closely to integrate these innovative new facilities without causing significant disruption. Pilot projects (perhaps that is not the correct term, given that some these aircraft are pilotless) in Los Angeles and Singapore are leading the way, demonstrating scalable models for other urban centres to follow.
Another crucial element to the popularising, ‘mainstreaming’ and aiding the widespread adoption of innovative, first-of-kind solutions is gaining public acceptance. This involves not only ensuring safety and reliability (something that the autonomous taxi sector is battling against) but also addressing concerns related to visual impact and noise pollution. The latter example is primarily what put an end to the-then equally ‘out there’ Fairey-Rotodyne gyroplane that was initially designed for both commercial and military applications in the early 1960s.
Engaging with communities through ‘transparent’, simple communication and education campaigns can help build trust and enthusiasm for any new concept, and a concerted effort to highlight the benefits of a new mode of transport would be no exception.
Engaging with communities through simple communication and education campaigns can help build trust and enthusiasm for anything new, and a concerted effort to highlight the benefits of a new mode of transport would be no exception
So, are we going to be seeing urban or even unmanned urban aerial vehicles carrying people and products over our cities any time soon? The feasibility hinges on continued technological advancements, supportive regulatory frameworks, infrastructure development, and public acceptance. As cities around the world continue to explore and implement UAM solutions, the dream of efficient, sustainable, and congestion-free urban mobility is steadily becoming a reality. Conservative estimates suggest that drone deliveries could commence by 2027, with UAVs licenced to carry passengers to be flying over our heads from the following year.
Is anyone else looking forward to being picked up by an unmanned eVTOL aircraft at Amsterdam Centraal station and transported to the RAI for the first day of Intertraffic Amsterdam 2028?
