All the benefits we talked about in the previous article have the potential to serve the users of this system. How about the non-users? In the bigger picture, what will UAM change for the communities?
UAM is likely to reduce some of the load on the existing transportation networks as it gets more integrated in the overall ecosystem. Besides the obvious benefit of relieved traffic, this may also lift the burden of renewing ground transportation off taxpayers’ shoulders. While current ground transportation infrastructure continues to deteriorate, governments struggle with maintenance costs as well as space limitations in close-packed cities that make it harder to build new infrastructure. As ground infrastructure leaves its place to air roads, city’s living space will be opened up to be utilized for arts, recreation, and many more activities that makes city life pleasing rather than burdensome. Additionally, ability to reach farther distances in shorter commute times might help urban expansion to take place in a more controlled way without destroying the nature or the farming areas and even carry property costs at major cities down to moderate levels. Moreover, access to destinations where it is laborious to build and maintain infrastructure like islands or mountain tops for emergency, tourism, or other purposes becomes more straightforward.
Majority of the UAM technology developed today is either electric or hybrid powered vehicles. Vehicles themselves not being dependent on fossil fuels means a significant reduction in NOx emission levels. Lowered air pollution in this case is accompanied by less noise pollution. eVTOLs can be well expected to substitute helicopters used for business and leisure travel purposes. Noise annoyance is an important factor in public opposition helicopters usually face flying over communities or building heliports that limit their use in urban areas. Propulsion designs being completely different than a helicopter, in some cases involving many ducted structures and electric power sources is promising from noise perspective. 2019 Porsche Consulting report predicts eVTOLs to be four times quieter than helicopters whereas 2016 Uber Elevate report sets the goal, verbally, to be one-half as loud as a medium sized truck passing a house. Obviously, these are vague statements but positive prospects since how these vehicles will affect the ambient noise signature will be one of the of most important influencers for community acceptance.
All these anticipated benefits should be approached with caution remembering the fact that like every new technology and lifestyle change, UAM has many head winds ahead in the short and long term. What will it take to bring a whole UAM infrastructure into life including transfer hubs, air traffic management, and providing point-to-point on-demand service? What will the winning vehicle designs be like, most efficient, most reliable, safest, and quietest? How will the society adapt to pilotless flight? From the system perspective when electric powered vehicles become more widespread will clean energy resources be able to meet demand or will we still depend on fossil fuels or nuclear energy? And, many more questions are awaiting to find their answers …
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