The potential of future aircraft technology for noise and pollutant emissions reduction

Abstract

The negative external impacts of aviation are currently under unprecedented scrutiny. In response, a number of studies into future prospects for improvement have recently been carried out. This paper reviews these studies and discusses their combined implications for emissions of carbon dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, and noise. The results are also compared with targets for emissions reduction proposed by ACARE and NASA. It is concluded that significant future gains are achievable, but not to the extent implied by the ACARE and NASA targets, which represent an unrealistically optimistic view of technological potential over the next 20-40 years. The focus on technological advance also deflects attention from the substantial benefits available from combining present-day technology with behavioural change. Finally, difficult policy decisions will be necessary; the greatest benefits are associated with technological developments that will require major, and long-term, investment for their realisation, and there will be increasing conflict between environmental and noise goals.

Exploring Vehicle Level Benefits of Revolutionary Technology Progress via Aircraft Design and Optimization

“…However, both IATA and NASA studies have concluded that the technology development alone cannot reach the desired emission reduction goals; novel aircraft concepts needs to be developed to achieve the target aircraft performance. Graham et al [5] from University of Cambridge have summarized different novel aircraft concepts proposed by aviation research communities and have concluded that ACARE and NASA emission goals cannot be achieved without developing transformational concepts. To support this claim, the historical development of commercial aircraft fuel efficiency since 1980 is shown in Figure 1.…”

Analyzing the moderating effects of respondent type and experience on the fuel efficiency improvement in air transport using structural equation modeling

“…According Williams (2007); Parker [61]; Graham et al [24] and Miyoshi and Ibáñez [55] the technological advancement has resulted in a positive trend of fuel efficiency. ATD was measured from engine efficiencies, aerodynamic efficiencies, and structural efficiencies [4,51].…”

“…SEM is a handy statistical tool for evaluating the whole set of relationships among the latent constructs that are indicated by multiple measures defining a research model and for differentiating between the indirect and direct relationships between the latent constructs [24,73,79].…”

A study of carbon dioxide emissions reduction opportunities for airlines on Australian international routes

“…may come on the market in the next 20 to 40 years with up to 70% reduction in fuel consumption when compared to conventional (tube-and-wing) aircraft (Graham et al, 2014).…”

“…Some of these future aviation technologies are still in small scale development phase and it's highly unlikely that commercial companies will research these projects without government assistance (Graham et al, 2014). Apart from saving fuel, these future technologies must meet other requirements and regulations such as noise, emissions, scalability, and emergency evacuation and gate size before entering service.…”