Report: Cities are preparing for air taxi transit systems by considering where to put ‘vertiports’

Not that long ago, traveling via air taxi was a far-fetched idea, unlikely to be taken seriously at town hall. But with technological advancements continuing at an unprecedented pace, municipalities across the United States are beginning to consider what such a service could look like in anticipation of air taxis launching in the near future.

A new case study from San Jose State University’s Mineta Transportation Institute focusing on the San Francisco Bay Area explores best practices for administrators as they begin to consider where to locate ‘vertiports’—landing areas for electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The report describes how to build an advanced air mobility (AAM) network using geographic information systems (GIS) data.

“Rapid urbanization will be linked to increased congestion, especially worsening in global cities,” reads the report, “Land Use Analysis on Vertiports Based on a Case Study of the San Francisco Bay Area.” “In these cities ‘air-taxis,’ which are expected to rollout as early as 2024, put pressure on planners to consider significant changes to the built landscape, and to 8address potential environmental effects of something truly unique.”

Researchers project that, driven by increasing urban densification, eVTOL technology is poised to revolutionize transportation networks. The report cites United Nations data projecting that urban areas will house 60% of the global population by 2030, and 67% by 2050.

Regular air taxi networks will be built in larger cities like New York City, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. (where a quarter of all trips are projected to take place). Half of all trips are projected to take place in six metro regions.

“This suggests air taxi service may be viable only in a handful of places and/or additional port infrastructure investment will be needed for UAM (urban air mobility) adoption in small cities,” the report continues.

Administrators are actively planning for their launch. In March, Smart Cities Dive reported that United Airlines and Archer Aviation have plans to launch a commercial eVTOL service between O’Hare International Airport and a downtown heliport in Chicago, known as Vertiport Chicago, beginning in 2025. Likewise, an air taxi route connecting New Jersey’s Newark Liberty International Airport and the Downtown Manhattan Heliport is also slated for 2025.

Ahead of permitting requirements that will be necessary to control eVOTL flights and passenger drones, figuring out the best areas to locate heliports is “a valuable first step” toward a more comprehensive development plan for communities, the report says. Using GIS data to study safety, access, and equity information to create composite maps is a simple, cost-effective way for administrators to begin the planning and zoning process.

The report outlines a number of steps local governments and planners can take to get started. For example, administrators can “develop a list of non-negotiable ‘high priority’ parameters for vertiport locations” and “map existing flight paths and engage early with the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and local airport authorities,” the report says. Vertiports should be near important community locations like hospitals and transit stations, and connect to micromodal transit networks like pedestrian and bicycle routes.

“Vertiports must be placed throughout a city for easy access to destinations or for transfer transportation modes. Taking this into consideration—along with no-fly zones that are in place due to safety restrictions—it becomes apparent that the air space available for UAM will be quite limited,” the report says. “No-fly restrictions limit flight over public buildings, correctional institutions, hospitals, conservation areas, and military lands.”

Vertiports can be added as a land use category in development or zoning codes, and they can be incorporated into comprehensive community plans. Locations should be considered via stakeholder workshops, and when planning infill and redevelopment, the report notes.

Notably, planning for today’s capabilities should consider the potential for future advancements. Current eVOTL aircraft have a maximum travel distance of 60 miles at a maximum cruising speed of 150 miles per hour. Uber Elevate’s aircraft can carry four passengers plus one pilot. Stronger batteries will catapult air taxi services into widespread usage and support the expansion of infrastructure.

The advent of air taxis “will require dedicated infrastructure that currently does not exist. Even though UAM is initially expected to retool or better utilize existing helicopter infrastructure, there will be a shift to vertiports as a predominant ground land use,” the report says.