UAM-enabled Multimodal Analysis of Transportation Systems for LA28 and beyond: Phase 2

The Los Angeles region has long been projected as a testing ground for urban air mobility, comprised of air taxis and drone delivery, given the region’s favorable climate, traffic problems, and tech-savvy ecosystem. The LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games present an opportunity to make such a testing ground a reality. Phase 1 of this project was focused on developing optimal dispatch algorithms for operation of a network of air taxis during LA28 and thereafter. The algorithms were used to develop supply models for the air taxi mode which was then utilized to study the resulting mode shift from other ground-based modes of transportation. The algorithms and models developed in Phase 1 utilized low resolution, and hence, conservative safety considerations for operations. Furthermore, the current dispatch algorithms do not explicitly account for other air traffic constituents, such as delivery drones, or commercial air traffic, which could interfere with the operation of air taxis especially around takeoff and landing sites. Phase 2 will refine the dispatch algorithms to account for such practicalities, thereby making local air transportation more efficient and reliable. These refinements will naturally lead to more accurate supply models for air taxis, which will then lead to more accurate assessment of mode shifts away from ground-based transportation. The phase 2 research is specifically aimed at viability of air taxi service beyond LA28 and the implications for mode shifts from ground transportation modes, when air mobility will potentially be integrated within the regional mobility network

• Record URL:
  • https://metrans.org/research/uam-enabled-multimodal-analysis-of-transportation-systems-for-la28-and-beyond-phase-2

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $80,000.00
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3551747109

  PSR-25-SP06

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Managing Organizations:

  Pacific Southwest Region University Transportation Center

  University of Southern California
  Los Angeles, CA  United States  90089

  METRANS Transportation Consortium

  University of Southern California
  Los Angeles, CA  United States 
• Project Managers:

  Hong, Jennifer

• Performing Organizations:

  University of Southern California, Los Angeles

  University Park Campus
  Los Angeles, CA  United States  90089
• Principal Investigators:

  Savla, Ketan

• Start Date: 20260516
• Expected Completion Date: 20270516
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air taxi service; Algorithms; Dispatching; Drones; Modal shift; Olympic games; Urban air mobility
• Geographic Terms: Los Angeles (California)
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Passenger Transportation; Planning and Forecasting; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01996389
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Pacific Southwest Region University Transportation Center
• Contract Numbers: 69A3551747109, PSR-25-SP06
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Jul 22 2026 5:32PM