Urban air mobility - 10 key survey results

Urban air mobility
10 key survey results

Urban Air Mobility (UAM) is a new mode of air transport of goods and passengers in urban environments, using electric aircraft taking off and landing vertically, with or without a pilot on board. First operations will be a reality 3 to 5 years from now.

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1 A positive initial attitude to UAM throughout the eu

83% express an initial positive attitude towards UAM
64% and 49% ready to try out drones and air taxis respectively
Very homogeneous replies and no major differences across cities and respondent groups

2 Strong support for use cases that are valuable to all

Emergency and/or medical transport use cases receive greatest public interest. Top three use cases: 41% transport of injured person to hospital 41% drone delivery of groceries of medical supplies to hospitals 36% transport of emergency medical personnel

3 Top 3 expected benefits: faster, cleaner, extended connectivity

71% improved response time in emergencies 51% reduction of traffic jams 48% reduction of local emissions 41% development of remote areas

4 Top 3 concerns: safety, environment/noise and security

Concerns on drones 44% safety 39% security 35% environmental 28% noise Concerns on air taxis 38% environmental 38% noise 37% safety 29% security

5 Safety: existing aviation safety levels are the benchmark

Citizens expect that operations are as safe as current aviation Concerns increase with age of respondent

6 Environment: priority is protection of wildlife

Most concerns are on
Negative impact on animals 62% for drones 56% air taxis
Noise pollution 52% for drones 53% air taxis
Environmental and climate impact from production, incl. battery 43% for drones 42% air taxis

7 Noise: acceptable at level of familiar city sounds

Level of annoyance varies with lack of familiarity with the sound; familiar city sounds at same decibel levels are better accepted

8 Need to build confidence and trust in citizens

Level of trust on security and cybersecurity of UAM technology just slightly above 50% Half of the respondents would better trust UAM if security and cybersecurity regulations were adopted by all levels of European authorities working together

9 Ground infrastructure: must integrate well

Vertiports to be integrated within local mobility network Drone delivery preferred close to the house
(garden 68%, station in neighborhood 67%)
Concerns on noise (48%), safety (41%) and visual impact to be addressed

10 Regulatory authorities: must work together at all levels

Similar trust level towards local, regional, national and European authorities to address UAM Expectation by respondents is that local actors will contribute in developing the regulations