SMART MOBILITY

While the pandemic temporarily put a halt on global mobility, planes, trains, and automobiles are now on the move again, and larger trends in the transportation industry continue to emerge. If anything, the last few years have accelerated awareness of the need for more environmentally friendly, resilient, comfortable, and affordable ways to move around. Here are some top trends and new transport solutions defining the future of mobility.

TRANSPORTATION HYDROGEN-POWERED AIRCRAFT

With the global aviation industry responsible for around 2.1% of all human-induced CO2 emissions, and 12% of all CO2 emissions from transport, the race is on to fly hydrogen-powered planes. Airbus aims to develop the world’s first zero-emission commercial aircraft by 2035. It says hydrogen propulsion will help realise this ambition. This year the aircraft manufacturer launched its ZEROe demonstrator, with the goal to test hydrogen combustion technology on an A380 multimodal platform. Meanwhile, Boeing is focusing its efforts on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). “SAF is a safe, proven, immediate solution that will help achieve our industry's long-term commitment to net zero carbon emissions by 2050,” says Sheila Remes, Boeing Vice President of Environmental Sustainability. “Boeing has been a pioneer in making sustainable aviation fuels a reality.”

URBAN AIR MOBILITY (UAM)

By 2030, 60% of the world's population will be urban. “This significant population growth is expected to create a real need for innovative mobility options as ground infrastructure becomes increasingly congested,” says Airbus. “Providing people with a safe, sustainable, and convenient solution that leverages the airspace above cities could be a solution.” Since 2014, Airbus has been exploring how recent technology advancements – from battery capacity and autonomy to electric propulsion – can help drive the development of new kinds of aerial vehicles.

In May 2018, the company launched its Airbus Urban Mobility (UAM) strategy, encompassing the development of new technology including electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles, as well as airspace management, building the critical infrastructure necessary to allow new aircraft, including air taxis and delivery drones, to safely enter and share the skies of our future. Its CityAirbus NextGen is an

“In designing cities and urban infrastructure for the 21st century, mobility is at the centre of the equation. Through this joint venture with Volocopter, we are demonstrating to the world that NEOM is the ideal region to implement urban air mobility rapidly and create a fully integrated vertical mobility ecosystem. NEOM is on a mission to become a global living lab for future mobility, and we are very excited

Saudi Arabia makes UAM headway

As Saudi Arabia progresses with Vision 2030, encompassing some huge infrastructure developments, including new cities and destinations, it is building Urban Air Mobility (UAM) into its

master-planning

In March, Airbus and The Helicopter Company (THC) signed a deal to continue expanding helicopter activities, including those using Sustainable Aviation Fuels, as well as the introduction of UAM services in the country.

The agreed cooperation between the parties and the kingdom's aviation regulatory authorities will enable the safe application of these solutions to segments including emergency medical services, eco tourism and private and business aviation.

all-electric, four-seat eVTOL multicopter concept featuring a wing. It boasts an 80-km range and a cruise speed of 120 km/h – making it perfectly suited to zero-emission flight operations for a variety of applications in major cities. Other aircraft companies making headway with UAM include Eve Urban Air Mobility (an Embraer company) and executive aviation firm Jetex. They have teamed up to develop a UAM ecosystem to make air commuting more accessible and convenient for everyone, based on new eVTOL aircraft that are “100% electric, quiet and safe”. “eVTOL aircraft are the future of transportation aimed at easing congestion and bypassing any potential ground mobility restrictions,” says Jetex.

This follows NEOM, the smart and sustainable regional development in northwest Saudi Arabia, and Volocopter, another urban air mobility pioneer, establishing a joint venture (JV) company to design, implement, and operate the world’s first bespoke public vertical mobility system.

Air taxi and vertical logistics services will be fully integrated with the overall multi-modal and zero-emission public transit system in NEOM.

The JV will be the sole operator of initial public transit routes while enabling an open eVTOL ecosystem for vertical mobility services including logistics, emergency response, and tourism. NEOM has placed a confirmed order of 15 Volocopter aircraft to commence initial flight operations within the next two to three years.

Supersonic Flights

US carrier United has announced its ambition to “return supersonic speeds to aviation” by 2029.

It plans to buy 15 new ‘Overture’ airliners by Boom, a Denver-based company, once safety, operating and sustainability requirements have been met, with an option for 35 more aircraft. The net-zero carbon aircraft will fly on 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

Previous supersonic passenger flights ended in 2003 when British Airways and Air France retired the Concorde. The definition of supersonic flight is when an aircraft travels faster than the speed of sound, which is approximately 660mph (1,060km/h) if the aircraft is travelling at an altitude of 60,000ft (18,300m).

Private Jet Meets Superyacht

Private jet passengers could soon be able to travel through the air and underwater on the same craft, with aircraft overhaul and maintenance specialist Lufthansa Technik unveiling a new cabin design concept for the Airbus Corporate Jet ACJ330 last year.

Giving those on board the chance to “discover the world”, the ‘Explorer’ cabin takes inspiration from explorer superyachts, which tend to be either purpose built, or converted to ensure long-distance cruising to isolated areas of the world. Designed to accommodate between 10 and16 passengers, its primary purpose is to provide the most positive passenger experience possible to those on board, according to the German company.

Explorer is described as a “flying hotel”, designed to “go anywhere at any time”, with the cabin floorplan including dedicated areas for mission briefings, dining, fitness, spa and even a dance floor. “Furthermore, you can take all your special equipment with you,” says Lufthansa Technik. “No matter if it is a car, off-road vehicle, wing suite, wine cellar, exploration laboratory or even an emergency medical room - or anything else you might dream off.” It will also feature an outdoor seating area.

Hyperloops

Several bullet trains and transport capsules are currently being developed to carry people and cargo at unprecedented speeds.

They include ultra-high-speed hyperloop systems, which will not only pave the way for land-based commuting, connecting people from one city to the next in minutes, but facilitate the delivery of high-priority and time-critical goods such as medical supplies and food.

Virgin Hyperloop successfully tested hyperloop technology with passengers in 2019, launching the first new mode of mass transportation in more than 100 years.

The company operated an occupied hyperloop vehicle using electric propulsion and electromagnetic levitation under near-vacuum conditions, realising a fundamentally new form of transportation that is faster, safer, cheaper, and more sustainable than existing modes.

The company is now working with governments, partners, and investors around the world to make hyperloop a reality in years, not decades. The Virgin Hyperloop delivers airline speeds (760 mph), the same G-forces as rail, and the ease of riding a metro and what’s more, it’s affordable, and therefore accessible to all.

Each hyperloop pod carries up to 28 passengers. At Expo 2020 Dubai, Virgin Hyperloop showcased a full-scale hyperloop cargo pod and

Dubai’s global ports operator recently invested US$50 million in Virgin Hyperloop, with a view to establishing a hyperloop line connecting Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

This could reduce the travel time between the two cities from the current one hour by car to about 12 minutes.

Virgin Hyperloop One is working with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and other government entities to explore how the network might function in the emirate, particularly in relation to existing transport networks.

Autonomous Pods

Autonomous transport is set to transform urban mobility, with self-drive vehicles being developed spanning cars, buses, trucks, aircraft, boats and more, and companies including Google, Apple, Tesla, Uber, and Lyft all seeking solutions. For some, like Uber and Lyft, autonomous transport is one way to cut costs, but other benefits include lowering fuel consumption, reducing CO2 emissions, and easing congestion. In the Middle East, several driverless trials are underway.

Sharjah’s sky rail

The UAE is a trailblazer of smart transport, with a wide range of solutions, from autonomous vehicles to high-speed hyperloops, currently in development.

In 2025, Sharjah will launch the uSky elevated string rail transport system for cargo and passengers, with a testing facility already operational in the emirate.

Developed by Unitsky String Technologies Inc. (UST), a Belarusian-based eco-friendly, safe and comfortable transport solutions specialist, uSky travels at speeds of up to 150 km/h, with a capacity for 50,000 passengers per hour.

The Sharjah rail development is just the start, with UST planning to grow its portfolio to 10 projects by the end of 2022.

Visitors to AlUla in Saudi Arabia can now use a new, fully autonomous pod vehicle service. Paving the way for future of sustainable, zero-emission mobility, the pilot scheme provides passengers with a quick link to AlUla’s Old Town from the south car park. The service is part of the Royal Commission for AlUla’s (RCU) comprehensive Journey Through Time (JTT) masterplan to develop a range of fully integrated, accessible and environmentally friendly public transport options. Each electric-powered pod can carry up to 22 people (8 seated, 14 standing) and passengers ride free of charge.

As the pilot continues, the pod service will be expanded to other areas of AlUla, including Dadan, Hegra and AlJadidah later in the year.

The Dubai Autonomous Strategy

The the Dubai Autonomous Transportation Strategy (DATS) aims to convert a quarter of the emirate’s transportation to autonomous mode by 2030. This target is expected to improve productivity by 13% and reduce transportation costs by 44%, generating savings in the region of US$245 million per year.

What’s more, pollution will be reduced by 12%, saving another US$400 million per year, while generating US$4.9 billion in annual economic returns. The government is also focusing policies and incentives towards growing the electric vehicle (EV) market, supported by private companies including Tesla, Hyundai, Nissan, and Volkswagen. Targeting 42,000 electric cars on the roads by 2030, the city is investing millions in infrastructure and making EV usage more attractive through free public parking and charging, toll fee exemption and discounts on car registration.

Highlighting the UAE’s growing global profile as an autonomous transportation hub, the Emirates ranked among the top 10 countries for future readiness in KPMG’s 2020 Global Autonomous Vehicles Readiness Index. Dubai’s RTA is also testing autonomous air taxis in partnership with Germany’s Volocopter. When operational, the taxis will be able to seat up to two people and fly for a maximum of 30 minutes with a top speed of 100km/h. It is estimated the technology could increase productivity by 13% and reduce road traffic accidents by 12%.

Space Travel

The idea of space tourism is being turned into a reality by Virgin Galactic, the world’s first commercial spaceline, with a mission to “connect people across the globe to the love, wonder an awe created by space travel”. On February 16, 2022, the company opened ticket sales to the general public, providing the opportunity to purchase one of the initial spaceflight reservations and secure membership in the unique community of Future Astronauts.

“At Virgin Galactic, we believe that space is transformational,” says Virgin Galactic CEO Michael Colglazier. “We plan to have our first 1,000 customers on board at the start of commercial service later this year, providing an incredibly strong foundation as we begin regular operations and scale our fleet.”

The spaceflight will launch from Spaceport America in New Mexico. Starting with several days of spaceflight preparedness activities, future astronauts will stay with their guests at forthcoming custom accommodations. Guests will enjoy bespoke itineraries and world-class amenities during astronaut-specific training programmes. During spaceflight, astronauts will experience a 90-minute journey including a signature air launch and Mach-3 boost to space.

The spaceship gracefully flips while astronauts enjoy several minutes of out-of-seat weightlessness and breath-taking views of Earth from the 17 windows. “Upon return from this transformational experience, astronauts will begin a meaningful journey to create positive impact with the perspective that can only come from seeing our beautiful planet from space,” says Virgin Galactic. Spaceflight reservations are priced $450,000.

(Sources: ATAG, Forbes, Airbus, Boeing, Jetex, NEOM, Dubai Economy and Tourism)