In the future, people won鈥檛 hail traditional taxicabs to the airport 鈥� they鈥檒l hop in air taxis that can fly them from remote locations to major airports in a matter of minutes. For passengers, this mode of transportation will save time and add ease to the stressful process of traveling. But for residents of communities that would employ this skyway transportation system called advanced air mobility (AAM), the effects could be more harmful than beneficial.
麻豆原创 Trustee Chair Subith Vasu and postdoctoral scholar Justin Urso 鈥�15 鈥�22PhD have been awarded a $750,000 grant from NASA to study the effects that AAM may have on communities. The 麻豆原创 researchers have partnered with Ocala International Airport on this project, which will specifically explore the effects of pollution and noise on the surrounding neighborhoods.
鈥淲e partnered with Ocala International Airport because of the air traffic around that community,鈥� Vasu says. 鈥淎nything that flies makes noise, and it can be annoying for residents. We鈥檙e looking at how to minimize the risk so the community isn鈥檛 bothered.鈥�
Ocala International Airport was a prime partner due to its potential for implementation. Vertiports are the specialized launch pads for electrical air vehicles such as drones and air taxis. Companies like Amazon are interested in using AAM technology for fast and convenient home deliveries while organizations like NASA aim to develop this new transportation system that will deliver both goods and people around the world, safely and efficiently.
鈥淚f you live in Ocala and want to take a flight to Europe, California or New York, where do you go?鈥� Vasu says. 鈥淭he Tampa and Orlando airports are two hours away by car. Depending on where you live, AAM can be very helpful.鈥�
Urso says we could see the development of a vertiport at the Ocala International Airport by 2035. The City of Orlando also has a vested interest in AAM and is working with NASA to develop an air transportation system plan. Vasu says, in the future, they may expand their project to include Orlando International Airport.
An additional partner on the project is Yingru Li, a professor of sociology at 麻豆原创, who will conduct community assessments to provide important data on the City of Ocala. Vasu says the goal is to put 麻豆原创 at the forefront of this developing industry.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of opportunity within AAM for 麻豆原创 and the state of Florida,鈥� Vasu says. 鈥淲e just want to push 麻豆原创 as a leader in that field.鈥�
