UAM i fokus i USA og World Economic Forum - Curt Lewis

 

LA and the World Economic Forum present blueprint for global UAM adoption

The City of Los Angeles and the World Economic Forum have released a pioneering report that presents a roadmap for Urban Air Mobility (UAM). Principles of the Urban Sky advocates a principles-based policy-making framework for the rollout of UAM that protects the public interest to benefit the many rather than just the few.

UAM is an emerging mode of next generation aviation technology that is better suited for urban transport. With vertical takeoff and landing configurations, improvements in energy sources, and improved connectivity, it looks towards piloted or autonomous flights of people and the movement of goods in city centres, suburban and edge of town conurbations.

The report identifies seven principles critical for a scalable UAM policy framework. These include safety, sustainability, equity of access for disadvantaged communities, low-noise, multi-modal connectivity for seamless travel, local workforce development for new air and ground level jobs, and purpose-driven data sharing to respond to the needs of the market.

These precepts have been developed over the last nine months by a working group of over 50 manufacturers, service providers, infrastructure developers, academics, community organisations and government planners. They will be used to deliver UAM in Los Angeles and are seen as fundamental to the adoption and long-term success of UAM globally.

With a view to share this roadmap with cities worldwide, the collaboration between the Los Angeles Mayor's Office and the World Economic Forum has been coordinated with technical and operational efforts led by Los Angeles Department of Transportation in conjunction with national authorities. What's clear is that parallel strategic and operational planning are necessary for any city preparing for the roll-out of UAM and that this preparation must start well ahead of the first commercial deployments.

"The current pandemic has created new challenges for transport networks and infrastructure around the world," said Christoph Wolff, Head of Shaping the Future of Mobility at the World Economic Forum. "As we build back better, these principles provide an ethical framework for planning new modes of aerial transport at the same time as we reinvest in current forms of transit."

"Our city's strength stems from our creativity, our innovative spirit and our willingness to test new ideas on our streets - and in our skies - that will inspire and change the world for the better," said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. "Even in the face of COVID-19 today, our eyes are fixed on the horizon of a reimagined tomorrow, where Urban Air Mobility is a central part of a safe, sustainable, equitable future."

"In releasing the Principles of the Urban Sky and sharing them with the global community, the World Economic Forum and City of Los Angeles are demonstrating the leadership society needs to address current and future mobility challenges," said Pam Cohn, Chief Operating Officer, Urban Air Mobility Division of Hyundai Motor Group. "How people move around in 10 years will be different from how people move around today. We look forward to working with the World Economic Forum, the City of Los Angeles and other partners to ensure UAM planning and development efforts worldwide are inclusive, safe, sustainable and people-centred."

Urban aerial mobility will also be featured at the World Economic Forum's upcoming 2020 Sustainability Development Summit that focuses on innovation, sustainability and entrepreneurship.