Advanced Air Mobility Operation and Infrastructure for Sustainable Connected eVTOL Vehicle

Abstract

Advanced air mobility (AAM) is an emerging sector in aviation aiming to offer secure, efficient, and eco-friendly transportation utilizing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. These vehicles are designed for short-haul flights, transporting passengers and cargo between urban centers, suburbs, and remote areas. As the number of flights is expected to rise significantly in congested metropolitan areas, there is a need for a digital ecosystem to support the AAM platform. This ecosystem requires seamless integration of air traffic management systems, ground control systems, and communication networks, enabling effective communication between AAM vehicles and ground systems to ensure safe and efficient operations. Consequently, the aviation industry is seeking to develop a new aerospace framework that promotes shared aerospace practices, ensuring the safety, sustainability, and efficiency of air traffic operations. However, the lack of adequate wireless coverage in congested cities and disconnected rural communities poses challenges for large-scale AAM deployments. In the immediate recovery phase, incorporating AAM with new air-to-ground connectivity presents difficulties such as overwhelming the terrestrial network with data requests, maintaining link reliability, and managing handover occurrences. Furthermore, managing eVTOL traffic in urban areas with congested airspace necessitates high levels of connectivity to support air routing information for eVTOL vehicles. This paper introduces a novel concept addressing future flight challenges and proposes a framework for integrating operations, infrastructure, connectivity, and ecosystems in future air mobility. Specifically, it includes a performance analysis to illustrate the impact of extensive AAM vehicle mobility on ground base station network infrastructure in urban environments. This work aims to pave the way for future air mobility by introducing a new vision for backbone infrastructure that supports safe and sustainable aviation through advanced communication technology.

Exploring AAM Acceptance in Tourism: Environmental Consciousness’s Influence on Hedonic Motivation and Intention to Use

“…The development of eVTOLs brings operational and safety challenges. To ensure the safe and efficient operation of AAM systems, numerous studies propose frameworks for integrating operations, infrastructure, and air traffic systems in future air transportation and offer feasible solutions [69,70]. Additionally, many researchers focus on the safety of eVTOLs, proposing their own solutions in areas such as regulation and certification, overall vehicle safety, and collision risk mitigation [71][72][73].…”

Integrating Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing Aircraft into Public Airspace: A Scenario Study

“…The study emphasized that secure and resilient datalinks are necessary to remotely control enroute aircraft. Al-Rubaye et al (2023) found that a lack of adequate wireless coverage in congested cities and disconnected rural communities poses challenges for large-scale AAM deployments [21]. Remote pilots may also need to relay and receive voice commands to maintain compatibility with current air traffic control systems.…”

Towards Safe and Efficient Unmanned Aircraft System Operations: Literature Review of Digital Twins’ Applications and European Union Regulatory Compliance

“…Achieving this system necessitates the seamless integration of air traffic management systems, ground control systems, and communication networks to facilitate effective communication between AAM vehicles and ground systems to ensure safe and efficient operations. As a result, the aviation industry is actively working towards developing an innovative aerospace framework that promotes shared aerospace practices, ensuring the safety, sustainability, and efficiency of air traffic operations [14]. A wide range of literature has been published to explore operational strategies and expectations in the context of AAM [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28].…”