Simulation-Assisted, Weather-Aware Urban Air Mobility System Planning

Abstract

The emergence of Urban Air Mobility (UAM) as a novel mode of transportation presents new challenges to government and commercial stakeholders: new vehicle types are being introduced for which supporting infrastructure, such as new routes and vertiports, needs to be designed and put in place, often in the vicinity of airports; community concerns need to be addressed; and inclement weather is a potential disruptive factor. In this new UAM paradigm, simulation modeling is an indispensable tool for aviation planners in identifying optimal solutions to these challenges. AvMet and Kimley-Horn have developed an efficient process for UAM simulation study planning and execution, facilitating rapid turnaround through collaborative model development. This streamlined process, from UAM airspace design and flight schedule development to fast-time simulation modeling, to advanced 3D visualization, can greatly reduce the study completion time and allow for a variety of UAM scenario alternatives to be explored, evaluated from a cost-benefit perspective, and presented to stakeholders. A key component of this process is AvMet's state-of-the-art UAM Simulation Model (USM). In this paper, we provide UAM scenario setup examples and simulation results utilizing the USM, as well as describing the study planning and modeling process.