Urban air mobility (UAM), a futuristic transportation solution, is gaining momentum as a viable alternative to ground traffic congestion. This innovative mode of transportation, which involves flying people and cargo above urban areas at low altitudes, could become a reality as early as 2025 with the advent of electric flying taxis.
Researchers Raghavan and Bruce Golden, along with then-Ph.D. candidate Eric Oden from Smith, delved into the logistical challenges of managing a system of electric flying taxis. Their study focuses on optimizing routing and scheduling to maximize passenger capacity.
The researchers identified three primary hurdles for electric flying taxi companies in the initial stages: passenger demand, time constraints for customers, and battery management. Using Washington, D.C., taxi data, they demonstrated their findings in a real-world context. Golden emphasized, “When conducting research, it’s essential to make assumptions as solid as possible, as we’re looking into the future.”
To address these challenges, the team developed an algorithm that electric flying taxi companies can use to schedule passengers, similar to how ground transportation taxi firms operate. Raghavan explained, “This algorithm enables them to optimize their service to transport the maximum number of people, ultimately generating the highest revenue.”
Passengers expect minimal wait times for these taxis, just as they do for ground transportation or public transit. Golden likened it to the Washington D.C. Metro, stating, “If you had to wait more than 10 minutes between the Red Line and Blue Line, you’d think, ‘This is insane!'”
Battery management is another crucial factor. Electric flying taxis require time to recharge, and fare scheduling must take this into account. Raghavan explained, “Just like you can’t keep flying a Tesla once the battery runs out, you can’t keep flying an electric flying taxi once it’s discharged.”
Upon landing at their first destination, the taxi’s next stop is determined by its remaining battery power or the need to charge it to reach the next stop. Golden added, “You have to factor that into the fare scheduling equation.”
The researchers formulated solutions for efficiently routing electric flying taxis over a time-expanded network. Inspired by the potential benefits UAM offers, such as reduced travel time and cost for moving people and goods in cities, they also suggested avenues for further research, including synchronizing air and ground transportation. For example, flying someone from the airport to a vertiport and then having a car pick them up from there to complete their journey.