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    <copyright>Copyright © 2026. National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.</copyright>
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    <managingEditor>tris-trb@nas.edu (Bill McLeod)</managingEditor>
    <webMaster>tris-trb@nas.edu (Bill McLeod)</webMaster>
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      <title>Research in Progress (RIP)</title>
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      <title>Feasibility of UAM Vertiport Land Use and Location Planning</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2286654</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The future of Urban Air Mobility (UAM) highlights tremendous economic opportunities and a major shift in the delivery of services and products globally. The future growth of UAM is due to the multiple benefits it provides including improving emergency and natural disaster response, facilitating commercial package delivery, and in the long-run, integration with existing transportation and commuter system (air taxies). While these may provide a tremendous opportunity, the feasibility of developing the required infrastructure has not been explored in Utah.

The recently passed S.B. 122 (2022) mandates that Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) assess options, feasibility, and progress towards the implementation of advanced air mobility. Further, the investigation should identify potential assets and development plans for future implementation. Previous work by the principal investigator (PI) and team provides a foundation for these efforts. The PI’s previous UTRAC project (ending April 22) has resulted in a parcel suitability map for the WFRC. The map was generated from a complex series of geospatial data and rules to answer, theoretically, where vertiports for UAV delivery and UAM could be located. In response to Senate Bill 218 (2021), UDOT is currently contracting with WSP, which is tasked with providing a corridor assessment and plan for future UAV/UAM flights. WSP will be using the suitability map to help inform this plan. Additionally, Utah businesses, such as Flight Level Engineering, LLC, are striving to develop national leadership in UAM infrastructure development. However, these combined efforts have been developed in isolation and engagement with communities has been extremely limited. This makes the assessment of feasibility extremely difficult; it is imperative that community partners and government agencies understand how planning, regulation, and infrastructure are needed to be woven together to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of site implementation. Engagement with communities and testing to assess the feasibility can provide an essential step in meeting SB 122 and support planning efforts for communities across Utah.

]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 06 Nov 2023 17:13:09 GMT</pubDate>
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      <title>Vertiport Systems Integration and Location Assessment</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2286651</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The future of Urban Air Mobility (UAM) highlights tremendous economic opportunities and a major shift in the delivery of services and products globally. The future growth of UAM is due to the multiple benefits it provides including improving emergency and natural disaster response, facilitating commercial package delivery, and in the long-run, integration with existing transportation and commuter system (air taxies). Senate Bill 161, “Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Revisions” sponsored by Senator Harper and Representative Christofferson was crafted in 2023 Session to explore how Utah might leverage itself toward the future of UAM. The bill requires Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) to study a range of different issues within AAM, including to better understand vertiport locations and related infrastructure. Within this context, the bill further lays out specific elements that need to be studied, those include: (1) identification of suitable locations for vertiport infrastructure and parking infrastructure for vertiports in metropolitan areas; (2) identification of commuter rail stations that may be suitable for vertiport placement; and (3) identification of underutilized parking lots and parking structures for vertiport infrastructure placement.

The major challenges toward fulfilling these elements are the lack of mechanisms and scope for how these will be studied, and the limited tools currently available to conduct this study. Inevitably, this work lends itself to a structured and systematic research approach that bridges knowledge in Uncrewed Aerial Systems, geospatial analytics and land use planning.

]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 06 Nov 2023 16:39:38 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2286651</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Develop Airfield Design Guidelines for Large Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1645874</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) activity for civilian purposes continues to grow and expand as operators use UAS not only for surveillance, aerial photography, and infrastructure inspection, but also for disaster relief and commercial operations.
 
As airports consider introduction of larger UAS that need to use airports, there are a number of questions. It is unknown if (1) current airfield surfaces are adequate for use by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) of similar-sized manned aircraft; (2) there is a design impact on capacity and safety; (3) airports should seek to integrate them with or segregate them from manned operations; and (4) in communities with multiple airports, communities should integrate UAS at the primary commercial service airport or design another airport for UAS.
 
As indicated in ACRP Research Report 212: UAS and Airports, Volume 2, Incorporating UAS into Airport Infrastructure Planning, airport planners and engineers are considering whether and how to update master plans/airport layout plans (ALPs) for UAS. As technologies advance, UAS operators will find airfield design guidelines useful to their business and operational decisions.  Many UAS operate in a manner similar to piloted aircraft and, therefore, need airfield facilities for their safe and efficient operation, but airfield facility planning guidance specifically tailored to address the unique needs of large UAS is limited.
 
The objective of this research is to develop guidelines for airfield design challenges, issues, and considerations for the unique operational needs of large UAS (currently greater than 55 lbs), considering safety and capacity at existing airfields of different types and sizes.  The primary audience for this research consists of airport managers, planners, UAS operators, and other stakeholders. 
 
The guidelines should address, but not be limited to the following: (1) integration vs. segregation of operational areas at airfields; (2) considerations for different UAS categories and capabilities; (3) integration of technology (e.g., command and control systems (C2), detect and avoid (DAA) systems, cybersecurity, infrastructure and utilities, etc.); (4) airport master planning,  including economic and cost considerations; (5) UAS support infrastructure (e.g., maintenance facilities, hangars, terminal, fueling, etc.); (6) environmental impacts (e.g., hazmat, noise, battery storage); and (7) approach surfaces and terminal airspace.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 12 Aug 2019 21:31:11 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1645874</guid>
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