Centers of Excellence: Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)

Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) are set to revolutionize transportation systems by improving mobility, safety, efficiency, and sustainability, while simultaneously presenting new challenges and opportunities. This proposal unites a strong and diverse team of researchers from North Carolina A&T State University (NCAT), North Carolina State University (NCSU), and Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) that aligned with the North Carolina Department of Transportation's (NCDOT’s) strategic plan and the aeronautics transportation priorities outlined by the U.S. Office of Science and Technology Policy with the goal of...establishing a multidisciplinary University Transportation Center of Excellence in “Advanced Air Mobility and Unmanned Aircraft Systems” (UTCoE-AAM & UAS) to explore the integration, utilization, and deployment of AAM and UAS technologies within North Carolina’s transportation modes, networks and infrastructures. In addressing the solicitation, the proposed Center, UTCoE-AAM & UAS, incorporates four interwoven research projects that achieve the stated goal, namely: Project 1: Integrated Urban Surface and Air Mobility; Project 2: UAS/AAM Deployment for Emergency Response in Rural Areas; Project 3: Safe and Reliable eVTOL Operation for Regional Air Mobility; and Project 4: Advanced Air Mobility Transportation Infrastructure and Workforce. These research projects work together to achieve impactful objectives in the following ways: (1) Evaluating the integration of AAM and UAS into North Carolina’s surface transportation modes. (2) Enhancing emergency response capabilities in rural areas using UAS and AAM technologies. (3) Ensuring the safe and reliable integration of electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOLs) in regional transportation operations. (4) Supporting the development of infrastructure and workforce necessary for AAM deployment. The Center’s activities will leverage the expertise of leading research institutions and facilities across North Carolina, including the Autonomous Control and Information Technology (ACIT) Institute, and its experience leading the NASA University Leadership Initiative (ULI) project focused on Safe and Secure Assured Autonomy (S2A2) solutions for Urban Air Mobility, and the Center for Regional and Rural Connected Communities (CR2C2) at NCAT. Additionally, the Center utilizes expertise of research from the Institute for Transportation Research and Education (ITRE) at NCSU and ECSU’s Department of Aviation and Emergency Management unique resources, including a diverse fleet of UAVs and stakeholders, to deliver actionable insights that meet the strategic plan for the deployment of AAM and UAS in North Carolina. The proposed Center will have far-reaching impacts on North Carolina and the broader transportation system, making North Carolina equipped to lead in the rapidly evolving field of AAM and UAS, with the Center serving as a catalyst for transformative change in advanced mobility. By advancing AAM and UAS technologies, the Center will provide NCDOT with innovative solutions to collectively enhance transportation safety, efficiency, and integration to address the operational, economic, and regulatory barriers. These efforts will support North Carolina’s goal of becoming a transportation trailblazer, creating new economic opportunities, and improving the quality of life for its residents. Moreover, the Center will elevate the national competitiveness of North Carolina’s transportation research on AAM/UAS through novel approaches, interdisciplinary research innovations, and relationships developed with NCDOT, and industry partners.​

• Record URL:
  • https://inside.ncdot.gov/stage/connect/projects/research/_layouts/15/listform.aspx?PageType=4&ListId=%7BC4040967%2D86A7%2D42E5%2DBDE9%2DF700296A575B%7D&ID=727&ContentTypeID=0x01002568598C99C1EC488A0E78E655845B43
• Record URL:
  • https://connect.ncdot.gov/projects/research/Lists/RNASrchProj/DispForm.aspx?ID=727

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $2,000,000.00
• Contract Numbers:

  RP2025-043

• Sponsor Organizations:

  North Carolina Department of Transportation

  Research and Development
  1549 Mail Service Center
  Raleigh, NC  United States  27699-1549
• Managing Organizations:

  North Carolina Department of Transportation

  Research and Development
  1549 Mail Service Center
  Raleigh, NC  United States  27699-1549
• Performing Organizations:

  North Carolina A&T State University

  1601 E. Market Street
  Greensboro, NC  United States  27411

  North Carolina State University, Raleigh

  Institute for Transportation Research and Education
  Campus Box 8601
  Raleigh, NC  United States  27695-8601

  Elizabeth City State University

  Center for Research and Evaluation
  Campus Box 793
  Elizabeth City, NC  United States  27909
• Principal Investigators:

  Homifar, Abdollah

• Start Date: 20250801
• Expected Completion Date: 20270731
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: Unmanned Aircraft Systems Research

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aircraft; Drones; Mobility; Research; Unmanned aircraft systems; Urban air mobility
• Identifier Terms: University Transportation Centers Program
• Geographic Terms: North Carolina
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Education and Training; Research; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01969959
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: North Carolina Department of Transportation
• Contract Numbers: RP2025-043
• Files: RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Oct 28 2025 2:37PM