The integration of Innovative Air Mobility (IAM) into city transport systems creates many opportunities for enhancing urban mobility. The AiRMOUR — D4.5 Guidebook details how cities can effectively incorporate IAM into sustainability planning to help the wider transport and aviation industries meet society’s environmental expectations.
Strategic Planning for Innovative Air Mobility Integration
Cities looking to adopt IAM must engage in strategic planning to address infrastructure, environmental, and public acceptance issues. For more information, see the AiRMOUR — D6.4 Guidebook for Urban Air Mobility Integration.
- Infrastructure development: Developing vertiports and adapting existing airfields to accommodate IAM operations is crucial. This includes ensuring that these facilities are equipped with necessary technologies like electric charging stations or hydrogen fuel capabilities.
- Environmental considerations: IAM must align with local environmental policies. This involves managing the noise and visual impacts of IAM operations to minimise disruption and maintain quality of life for city residents.
- Public acceptance and stakeholder engagement: Gaining public support is essential. This means involving community members in the planning process, addressing their concerns transparently, and demonstrating the benefits of IAM. For more information, see the Drone Community Engagement page with a Community Engagement Playbook for Drone Operators developed by Wing and Manna.
- Integrating IAM with existing transport systems: For IAM to be effective, it must be seamlessly integrated with existing transport modes, enhancing the overall mobility network without superseding current systems. This includes:
- Co-modal integration: IAM should complement other transport modes, such as buses, trams, and bicycles, to create a holistic urban transport ecosystem.
- Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs): IAM should be incorporated into SUMPs to ensure it contributes to the sustainable development goals of urban areas, focusing on reducing congestion and improving emergency response times.
Challenges and Recommendations
The AiRMOUR — D4.5 Guidebook identifies several challenges in IAM integration, such as regulatory issues, airspace management, and the need for a robust technological framework. Recommendations include:
- Policy development: Cities must develop clear policies that regulate IAM operations and ensure that they align with broader urban planning goals.
- Innovation in traffic management: Integrating IAM requires innovative approaches to traffic management that coordinate air and ground traffic efficiently.
Summary
IAM offers a transformative approach to urban transport, promising faster emergency responses and a reduction in urban congestion. However, its success depends on thoughtful integration into existing transport frameworks, addressing environmental impacts, and maintaining an ongoing dialogue with the public as well as close liaison with National Aviation Authorities, to ensure safe integration into the wider aviation ecosystem. To understand more about how to integrate IAM into your Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP), download the PDF.