Integrating Urban Air Mobility Within the Miami-Dade Transportation Network - Boucle

6, 2023

Aileen Bouclé, AICP, Executive Director Miami-Dade

BACKGROUND

Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Related Activities Ongoing Across the Globe

Examples of major publicly-sponsored programs

US Sponsored:

• NASA AAM National Campaign

• Agility Prime

UK Future Flight Challenge

Paris ’24 Olympics

Seletar Aerospace Park

Provided by:

Invest Victoria

‘25 Osaka-Kansai Expo

K-UAM Grand Challenge

OBJECTIVES

 Evaluate UAM technology to understand potential markets and impacts to existing transportation systems, environmental sustainability, and economic vitality.

 Identify infrastructure needs to accommodate an UAM ecosystem in Miami-Dade County.

 Assess policies and recommendations needed to prepare and integrate UAM into Miami-Dade County’s existing transportation network.

2022 BOSTON & EUROPEAN COUNTRIES SMART PROGRAM

PEER EXCHANGE

Delegation visited Boston and four European Nations.

The peer exchange provided the delegation to see first-hand, innovative opportunities to advance and accelerate the implementation of the SMART Program for the Southeast Florida region.

Background

2022 PEER EXCHANGE: UAM SITES

Munich

• Urban Air Mobility (UAM) project review at the Lilium

GmbH Manufacturing and Testing Facility, Wessling , Germany

Madrid

• Meeting with Agencia Estatal De Seguridad Aerea

(AESA) regarding UAM policy framework and legislative efforts

• Meeting with Globalvia regarding transport infrastructure and mobility solutions

London

• Meeting with Eve Air Mobility regarding UAM policy framework and public outreach

Background

EXCHANGE RESULT

TPO Resolution #24-2022

RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SCOPE OF SERVICES AND BUDGET TO EVALUATE THE CONCEPT OF URBAN AIR MOBILITY

TECHNOLOGY AND ASSESS POLICY FRAMEWORK REQUIREMENTS FOR THE INTEGRATION OF SAID TECHNOLOGY INTO MIAMI-DADE COUNTY’S EXISTING TRANSPORTATION NETWORK

EU –

U-space Concept of Operation

FAA – Concept of Operations of UAM

NASA – Near-term UAM use cases in the DFW area

Florida DOT - AAM Planning and other studies

Los Angeles DOT - UAM Framework Study

Ohio DOT - AAM Framework Study

Texas DOT - Report and Recommendations of UAM Advisory Committee

City of Orlando – UAM Overview

NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE

UAM ECOSYSTEM

Vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft

Aircraft capable of vertical climbs and/or descents and for takeoff and landings.

Vertiport

Dedicated areas for the landing/takeoff of VTOL aircraft.

Energy Infrastructure

Charging stations, electrical grid capacity, and hydrogen infrastructure are critical components of an UAM network.

Safety and Security

Vertiport design, operational safety, cybersecurity, and compatible land use are critical considerations.

Airspace

Initial VTOL operations will utilize existing helicopter routes and air traffic control (ATC) services. NASA and the FAA are developing airspace management technologies to provide routine airspace access for UAM operations.

INFRASTRUCTURE

FAA Engineering Brief 105

• Interim guidance on vertiports

• Vertiport design and geometry

• Charging infrastructure

• On-airport vertiport siting requirements

• Site safety considerations

UAM Infrastructure Challenges

• Battery technology and energy grid capacity

• Vertiport location (airspace, connectivity, equitable)

• Noise and environmental considerations

• Safety and security

Network Infrastructure

STATE OF TECHNOLOGY

OEM & OPERATOR PARTNERSHIPS

Our unrivalled partnerships with vehicle manufacturers ensures our vertiports are designed and located according to manufacturers and operators’ needs and requirements.

NON-EXHAUSTIVE

VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS CHARGING/FUEL REQUIREMENTS SPECIAL CONDITIONS

PASSENGER EXPERIENCE

TARGET MARKETS

ROUTING

Our investors:

SKYPORTS

Skyports builds, owns, and operates vertiports. Vertiports are dedicated landing areas in urban environments for electric air taxis and cargo drones.

Our investors:

PASSENGER VERTIPORT FEATURES

The main features of a vehicle-agnostic passenger vertiport are landing areas, aircraft stands, recharging and turnaround equipment, passenger terminal, control room and safety and security facilities.

INDEPENDENT FINAL APPROACH AND TAKE-OFF AREAS (FATOs)

HIGH-CAPACITY AIRFIELD WITH BYPASS TAXIWAY

STANDS W/ RECHARGING & TURNAROUND EQUIPMENT

BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM (BESS)

State of Technology

PASSENGER

TERMINAL & CONTROL ROOM

PICK-UP / DROP-OFF AREA

THE VERTIPORT VALUE CHAIN

Skyports works with aircraft operators, asset owners, and local stakeholders to establish a transportation network optimized for efficiency and convenience. Our approach considers the needs of the customer and the community, enabling us to identify the best vertiport sites.

State of Technology

Skyports uses its airport planning, airspace, regulatory, and operations expertise to design and build vertiports which capture industry best practices and aircraft performance requirements. Working with authorities and communities, we obtain necessary permits and permissions before deploying each vertiport

Skyports implements the processes and procedures that allow vertiports to function safely and efficiently. We process passengers and cargo through the terminal, support aircraft on the ground, and ensure a safe operating environment for landing and takeoff.

NETWORK & SITE PLANNING DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT

VERTIPORT SYSTEMS & OPERATIONS

INDUSTRY FRAMEWORK

KEY STAKEHOLDERS & RESPONSIBILITIES

Federal Agencies

NASA: Public-private engagement/research

FAA: Aircraft certification, infrastructure & airspace

Federal & State Legislators

Policy development to enable and regulate UAM industry

Local Governments

OEMs

Shared Responsibility

Land use planning and zoning; Community involvement

Aircraft and market development while ensuring the safety of the general public

Public engagement to improve perception of UAM

STAKEHOLDER COORDINATION

Miami-Dade County

Office of the Mayor

Miami-Dade County

UAM Working Group

Miami-Dade County Agencies

Miami-Dade County Municipalities

Neighboring Counties / Agencies

Miami-Dade TPO

Aviation Department

Transportation and Public Works

Fire Rescue / Police

Emergency Management

Regulatory and Economic Resources

Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces

Public Housing and Community Dev.

Water and Sewer

Industry / Trade Organizations

Universities / Educational Institutions

Private Industry OEMs

Infrastructure Providers

Technology Providers

Private Utility Providers Investors

Other Services (Air Traffic Control, Medical Transport, Data Collection)

State Agencies

FDOT

DEP

Emergency Management

Federal Agencies

FAA

NASA

USDOT

POLICY NEEDS

KEY CONSIDERATIONS

• Airspace

• Land Use & Zoning

• Social Equity

• Noise & Visual Pollution

• Infrastructure & Electrical Grid

• Safety & Security

• Funding

• UAM Operators

• Vertiport Infrastructure

• Charging/Fueling

• Data Usage & Management

POLICY FRAMEWORK RECOMMENDATIONS

Government: FAA Lead Agency

• State/Regional/Local/MPO: Pilot Projects/Funding/First/Last Mile network/LRTP

• *Potential for public engagement

• Facilitate incentive program for integrated equitable network

• Promote economic development

• Proof of Concept

Private Sector

• Technology

Development/Identify infrastructure gaps for UAM integration

• Standardized infrastructure to support various aircraft types: electric, hybrid, and hydrogenpowered

• Development of designated UAM testing areas and facilities

• Proof of Concept

Public/Private Collaboration

• Statewide framework for Concept of Operations

• Identify additional partnerships in critical path to AAM roll-out

• Establish data sharing program with operators, OEMs, and other agencies

• Industry coordination under FAA leadership to develop all criteria and regulations

UAM policy and decision making must be consistent with Miami-Dade County’s transportation goals.

2045 LRTP Goals

Maximize mobility choices

Proposed Benefits of UAM

Increase mobility options

Increase safety & security for all users

Reduce traffic congestion & emergency response times

Support economic vitality

Protect & preserve the environment & quality of life; Promote energy conservation

Improve transportation efficiency of people and goods; Attract private investment

Reduce noise, carbon emissions, and fuel consumption

Enhance integration & connectivity

Enhance connectivity between urban centers and surrounding communities

Improve & preserve the existing system

Enhance existing transportation system while integrating UAM

Industry Framework

● Noise/visual pollution

● Air traffic mgmt.

● Battery technology

● Safety/ security

● Utility infrastructure

● Aircraft certification

● Local land use and zoning

● First-/ last-mile transport.

Key Considerations for UAM Implementation

● Regulatory guidance/safety standards

● Federal/state funding eligibility

● Social equity

● Privacy

● Public confidence in technology

● Overall public acceptance

Next Steps

NEXT STEPS

STRATEGIC ROADMAP

Near-Term Mid-Term Long-Term

Implementation Priorities

Develop UAM local proof of concept in Miami-Dade County

Incorporate UAM into Miami-Dade TPO transportation planning efforts*

Identify strategic partnerships with government agencies and private organizations in the critical path to UAM integration

Identify initial use cases and operating locations*

Develop and initiate educational outreach programs*

Incorporate UAM into long range transportation plans and comprehensive plans, with emphasis on the SMART Program corridors *

Identify utility needs and grid capacity to support VTOL operations, especially in rural and underserved communities*

Update zoning, land use plans, and building codes to accommodate vertiports, VTOL operations, and other UAM-related infrastructure*

Develop workforce training programs

Develop emergency response procedures and train personnel*

Promote the installation of VTOL charging/fueling infrastructure

Support the deployment of initial UAM services in select locations consistent with the recommendations of MDAD AAM Strategic Plan*

Endorse the review and development of standalone (off-airport) vertiports, charging/fueling facilities, and other UAM infrastructure

Review infrastructure and regulatory requirements for autonomous UAM operations*

Refine county and municipal zoning, land use plans, and building codes to accommodate high-frequency off-airport VTOL operations*

Promote the development of additional UAM infrastructure to support scaled operations and local/regional transportation goals

Integrate UAM services into Miami-Dade County’s public transportation network, with emphasis on the SMART Program corridors

*Implementation priority is consistent with the recommendations of the FDOT AAM Roadmap and/or MDAD AAM Strategic Plan. This timeline represents approximate timeframes in which tasks should be initiated and in which the majority of initial effort should be spent. Ultimately, these recommendations should be continuously reviewed, updated, and prioritized in perpetuity.

Next Steps

NEXT STEPS

• Establish permanent UAM Working Group

• Review implementation priorities and timeline

• Monitor technology advancements and industry updates

• Develop stakeholder coordination plan

• Implement study recommendations, as appropriate

Next Steps

MIAMI-DADE TPO UAM INTERIM REPORT