Innovative Transit Technologies Study Tampa Bay Area Regional Transit Authority May 2020 Update
Task Overview and Schedule • Three technologies: • Urban Aerial Gondolas (cable propelled transit) • Air Taxis (Urban Air Mobility) • Hyperloop
Paths towards Implementation • Technology Readiness • Governance/regulatory frameworks • Federal, State and Local level • Issues and opportunities Research & Prototype Pilot Deployment Operations Development Testing Testing Governance/Regulatory Framework
Urban Aerial Gondolas • Technology exists today and operates in urban areas around the world • Urban aerial trams in the U.S.: • Portland Aerial Tram • Roosevelt Island Tram • Aerial gondolas in Florida: • Walt Disney World Skyliner Portland Aerial Tram, http://www.gobytram.com/ Background: Disney Skyliner , disneyparks.disney.go.com Research & Prototype Pilot Deployment Operations Development Testing Testing Governance/Regulatory Framework
Urban Aerial Gondolas • No Federal regulatory body • FTA does not have general requirements or guidelines • Funding possible but no known examples • Buy America Act (or waiver) • ADA accessibility requirements • Section 5309 Capital Investment Program, 5307 Urban Area Formula Grant, BUILD, USDOT Surface Transportation Program, CMAQ • FAA coordination for use of airspace • Coast Guard coordination for use above navigable waterways FTA: Federal Transit Administration FAA: Federal Aviation Authority BUILD: Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development Program Background: Disney Skyliner , disneyparks.disney.go.com CMAQ: Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Research & Prototype Pilot Deployment Operations Development Testing Testing Governance/Regulatory Framework
Urban Aerial Gondolas • American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for Aerial Passenger Ropeways • Industry standard for development and operations • Design and installation • Electrical design and installation • Operations and maintenance • Committee reps. comprised of: • Ski areas and resorts • Manufacturers • Operators Background: Disney Skyliner , disneyparks.disney.go.com Research & Prototype Pilot Deployment Operations Development Testing Testing Governance/Regulatory Framework
Urban Aerial Gondolas • State Oversight • Typically a Tramway Safety Board is responsible for oversight • Often found in states with established ski areas: • Northeast US • Appalachian Mountains • Colorado & Utah • Roosevelt Island Tram: State Department of Labor oversight • Portland Aerial Tram: No state oversight • Disney Skyliner: No state oversight Roosevelt Island Tram, https://rioc.ny.go Background: Disney Skyliner , disneyparks.disney.go.com Research & Prototype Pilot Deployment Operations Development Testing Testing Governance/Regulatory Framework
Urban Aerial Gondolas • State Oversight • Florida has no state oversight Board • Disney Skyliner meets ANSI Standards • Areas interested in developing as public transport: • Miami-Dade • Ft. Lauderdale • Pinellas County • Public transport may spur statewide oversight authority, though gondolas can operate without (Portland Aerial Tram) Background: Disney Skyliner , disneyparks.disney.go.com Research & Prototype Pilot Deployment Operations Development Testing Testing Governance/Regulatory Framework
Urban Aerial Gondolas • Local Oversight • Annual safety inspections • Gondolas and all associated structures and mechanisms • Evacuation plans and drills • Stations - fire, electrical, etc. • Land use and impacts • Station locations • Visual characteristics • Tower height and style • Gondola facility crossings • Roadways, waterways, utility corridors, etc. Background: Disney Skyliner , disneyparks.disney.go.com Research & Prototype Pilot Deployment Operations Development Testing Testing Governance/Regulatory Framework
Air Taxis/Urban Air Mobility • Air taxi developers continue to work through technical challenges and testing • Federal government and private sector focused on regulatory framework, certification and integration • Critical governance and safety regulations must be in place before passenger Urban Air Mobility (UAM) can become a reality Background Image: Urban Elevate Vertiport “Fast -Forwarding to a Future of On- Demand Air Transportation”, October 27, 2016 Concept Research & Prototype Pilot Deployment Operations Development Testing Testing Governance/Regulatory Framework
Air Taxis/Urban Air Mobility
Air Taxis/Urban Air Mobility Federal “Top Down” Regulatory Considerations Federal/State/Local Coordination Air Traffic & Fleet Vehicle Air Traffic & Fleet Individual Vehicle Community Operations Development Operations Management & Integration Management Production Management Operations Operator Vehicle Certification Zoning Restrictions Registration Land Use and Zoning Certification Airworthiness Cybersecurity Noise Requirements Operator Licensing Surveillance Infrastructure Fleet Management Fleet Management Pilot Certification Requirements and Operations UAM TM & Airspace Autonomous Infrastructure Integration Operations Requirements Data from NASA UAM Market Study, 2018 – incorporating recent updates Research & Prototype Pilot Deployment Operations Development Testing Testing Governance/Regulatory Framework
Air Taxis/Urban Air Mobility • NASA Administration • Leader in UAM vision and recommendations • Increased funding for R&D • Engaging state and local stakeholders (not just traditional/technical aviation community) • UAM Advanced Air Mobility Initiative (formerly Grand Challenge) • Developing CONOPS to bring industry together Background Image: Urban Elevate Vertiport “Fast -Forwarding to a Future of On- Demand Air Transportation”, October 27, 2016 Concept Research & Prototype Pilot Deployment Operations Development Testing Testing Governance/Regulatory Framework
Air Taxis/Urban Air Mobility • State and local governments do not have authority over airspace • Local governance authority • Land Use • Privacy • Trespass • Nuisance • Law Enforcement • Some states and cities are engaging influence through early partnerships with FAA and NASA • Partnership demonstrations Research & Prototype Pilot Deployment Operations Development Testing Testing Governance/Regulatory Framework
Air Taxis/Urban Air Mobility In January 2020, eHang received FAA approval to test the first non-piloted U.S. test flight in North Carolina, without passengers Images attributed to NCDOTCommunications (Flickr) (NCTransoSummit-2020.01.08) Research & Prototype Pilot Deployment Operations Development Testing Testing Governance/Regulatory Framework
Air Taxis/Urban Air Mobility • Key areas of regulatory evolution needed: • Air traffic and fleet • Vehicle development and production • Airspace system design and implementation • Individual vehicle management and operations • Community integration Background Image: Urban Elevate Vertiport “Fast -Forwarding to a Future of On- Demand Air Transportation”, October 27, 2016 Concept Research & Prototype Pilot Deployment Operations Development Testing Testing Governance/Regulatory Framework
Air Taxis/Urban Air Mobility Electrification Automation (2023) (2030) Clean Fast • 50% less O&M costs • Not easily adaptable • Greatest value with from principles Full UAM less noise and governing manned Scalability Quiet Safe emissions aviation • Development and • Slower integration (2040) testing is possible over time with Cheap Efficient under existing FAA decreasing pilot certification process responsibilities for airworthiness Research & Prototype Pilot Deployment Operations Development Testing Testing Governance/Regulatory Framework
Air Taxis/Urban Air Mobility • UAM Certification • FAA will determine airworthiness • Costly and time consuming (upwards of $5 billion and 10 years for one vehicle) Research & Prototype Pilot Deployment Operations Development Testing Testing Governance/Regulatory Framework Electric Aircraft Typologies and Applicable Certification Pathways (Source: https://www.foxrothschild.com/content/uploads/2020/01/BRO_Electric-Aircraft_Rivera_January-2020.pdf)
Air Taxis/Urban Air Mobility Based on Draft NASA CONOPS Framework (Presented at Community Meeting, February 2020 Research & Prototype Pilot Deployment Operations Development Testing Testing Governance/Regulatory Framework
Hyperloop • Development and testing phases • R&D underway, prototype testing at R&D facilities • Virgin Hyperloop One : Las Vegas, Nevada • Currently identifying location for Certification center • Hyperloop Transportation Technologies : Toulouse, France • Feasibility analyses underway (corridor alignments and impacts) Background Photo Source: Virgin Hyperloop: hyperloop-one.com Research & Prototype Pilot Deployment Operations Development Testing Testing Governance/Regulatory Framework
Recommend
More recommend
