Perspectives November 6, 2024

The Journey Toward Advanced Air Mobility (AAM)

by Scott Gorenc, Principal, Aviation

In 2017, Uber Elevate shared a vision for a world where commuting above city traffic in a flying taxi would be as routine as hopping in a car. I was in the audience at an Uber Elevate Summit when we were told that this futuristic scenario, once the realm of science fiction, would become reality as early as 2023.

The Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) revolution is obviously moving at a slower pace than initially promised, but technology is catching up to imagination. Although we aren’t riding in flying cars just yet, AAM is real and growing in ways that provide substantial value. It’s improving the quality of life for the underserved, it’s a critical component of our future supply chain, and it’s a resource to save life and property. Success in these three aspects will pave the way to social acceptance, which will in turn help AAM reach its full potential as a modality option for all.

This speculative project reimagines Vancouver’s Waterfront Station development, integrating emerging aviation technologies into a truly ‘super-modal’ hub.

First, AAM already plays a significant role in improving the quality of life for rural and underserved communities by providing access to essential services. AAM connects remote areas to critical services such as medical care, emergency response, and supply delivery. At AAM 2024, the International Civil Aviation Organization’s first AAM symposium, Ralph Cattleman, chief of the Montana First Nation, explained why his 1,000+ membership was investing in AAM and drone delivery. Beyond the immediate needs that AAM can meet, Cattleman also spoke of long-term benefits. He said it shows promise for providing goods and services to relatively isolated populations, many of whom don’t have access to personal vehicles. And while aerial rideshare is often criticized as a service for the elite, it is increasingly being used to create a more equitable and accessible world. AAM is proving that it can be a powerful tool for social good, breaking down barriers and connecting communities in ways that were previously unimaginable.

It’s also valuable in cities or regions where traditional transit is inconvenient due to traffic congestion or geographical features like mountains or water. For example, Vancouver is located among waterways that present logistical challenges to conventional transport and travel. We’ve been working on a speculative project to reimagine how Vancouver’s Waterfront Station development, a site that already boasts a convergence of modality options including rail, water, and air, can grow as AAM becomes more readily available.

Second, AAM has become a vital link in the supply chain by providing fast, flexible, and efficient transportation of materials, including critical supplies like medical and perishable goods, directly to end users in remote locations. Its ability to bypass traditional infrastructure and geographic limitations enhances supply chain resilience, making AAM an essential component of modern logistics.

In some cases, this is a life-changing proposition. For example, Rwanda partnered with a company called Zipline to use long-range autonomous drones to deliver blood and other medical necessities to hard-to-reach rural areas. Zipline now delivers up to 500 time-critical shipments a day in Rwanda. This success has translated into providing logistics solutions for medical supplies, farming and agriculture necessities, and deliveries for grocery, restaurant, and retail offerings.

Transportation innovation, including new forms of marine and aviation systems, will enhance our ambitions for resilient, universal, and equitable connectivity.

The momentum is undeniable. Retail giants like Walmart and Amazon are already deploying drones, and initiatives like AllianceTexas’ Mobility Innovation Zone are integrating multiple emerging technologies to improve the transport of goods at large scale in the United States.

Lastly, AAM plays a crucial role in saving both life and property in natural disasters or emergencies. Beyond its role in delivering critical medical supplies and providing aerial views over extended areas, it can also enhance rapid response capabilities by enabling quick deployment of first responders, equipment, and vital aid. In fact, drone technology is advancing by creating specific drones for specific tasks. For example, during a wildfire, one drone can be equipped with thermal cameras to monitor fire spread, identify hotspots, and guide ground crews to the most critical areas. Another drone can deliver water and fire retardants to hard-to-reach zones, enhancing the effectiveness of firefighting operations while keeping human responders out of harm’s way. Yet another drone can evacuate people who might not be able to leave the area by other means.

From revolutionizing how we respond to emergency situations to improving access in rural and underserved areas, AAM is already setting the scene for a more connected future.

The customization of AAM technology to address specific needs speaks to its agility. But this also presents challenges in designing and building infrastructure to accommodate AAM. How do new ways of moving goods reshape how we design our cities, neighborhoods, and buildings? What infrastructure and systems must we incorporate to fully embrace the shift? More challenging yet, how must our planning paradigms evolve to embrace this transformative era in mobility and logistics? To fully harness the potential of AAM, we must proactively tackle these challenges with a blend of standardized best practices and innovative, tailored solutions. Our ability to navigate changes as they evolve will be crucial, as AAM has already proven its value to society and will continue to transform the future of mobility.

Although AAM’s progress may seem slow, its impact on society is already profound and transformative. From revolutionizing how we respond to emergency situations to improving access in rural and underserved areas, AAM is already setting the scene for a more connected future. In time, the vision of seamless, efficient, and equitable aerial rideshare will be realized. The journey is gradual, but it promises to reshape our world for the better.

The Journey Toward Advanced Air Mobility (AAM)

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