Urban Air Mobility (UAM)
As cities integrate autonomous vehicles and hyperloop systems, Los Angeles is exploring the possibility of flying vehicles to reduce pollution and ease traffic congestion. The city’s high traffic congestion and numerous multi-story buildings with helipads makes it an ideal location for electric vertical take-off and landing, or flying car, technology.
In anticipation of UAM, Los Angeles has recently released the first-of-its-kind roadmap to support the implementation of UAM that identified seven key components that are critical for scalable policy framework: safety, sustainability, equity of access, low noise, multimodal connectivity, local workforce development, and purpose-driven data sharing. The principles are considered fundamental to long-term success and the integration of clean, safe, and inclusive UAM in cities.
The reality of flying cars is not far off. In February 2021, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had awarded a Special Light-Sport Aircraft airworthiness certificate to Terrafugia Transition, making it the first flying car certified for takeoff. The prototype can achieve 35 mpg on the street and in the air has a flight speed of about 100 mph and a range of about 400 miles. Its features include wings that can unfold automatically and a separate steering wheel and control stick. The flying car still needs to meet safety standards from the FAA and the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Transition, in airplane mode, can be sold to pilots and flight schools, but work is still in progress for road safety.
Although flying cars are still in prototype, the pace of innovation and technology is generally faster than the pace of policymaking. With this, it is essential for cities to develop early regulations, such as Los Angeles’ seven principles for UAM, to ensure new technologies are developed and deployed safely and inclusively to improve quality of life and increase accessible transportation.
Sources
Crowe, C. (2020, January 02). 7 trends that will define smart cities in 2020. Retrieved April 25, 2021, from https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/7-trends-that-will-define-smart-cities-in-2020/569471/
Teale, C. (2020, September 18). Flying cars are on the ‘horizon of a reimagined TOMORROW’ in LA. Retrieved April 25, 2021, from https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/inclusive-urban-air-mobility-LA-world-economic-forum/585440/
Verdon, M. (2021, February 10). The FAA has cleared the world’s first flying car for takeoff. Retrieved April 25, 2021, from https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/faa-cleared-jetsons-flying-car-1234595921/
World economic forum and city of Los Angeles Release principles for Making INCLUSIVE aerial mobility a reality in cities. (2020, September 15). Retrieved April 25, 2021, from https://www.weforum.org/press/2020/09/world-economic-forum-and-city-of-los-angeles-release-principles-for-making-inclusive-aerial-mobility-a-reality-in-cities
