Design of a Rapid, Reliable Urban Mobility System for the DC Region

Abstract

The Washington D.C. region is ranked 5th in the U.S. by GDP per capita and 3rd worst for traffic congestion causing friction in the local economy. A confluence of technological advances enables Urban Air Mobility (UAM) transportation systems to bypass road congestion and transport passengers in electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing vehicles. Analysis of travel demand profiles have identified the initial phase of a Rapid, Reliable Urban Mobility System (RRUMS) for the D.C. Region servicing private jet owners and first-class passengers from local airports to and from central business districts, assuming relaxed aerial vehicle and FAA restrictions. A stochastic simulation with random variables for vehicle speed, boarding times, vertiport operation times, and passenger inter-arrival times identified the need for a 5 node network with 70 vehicles, 3 landing pads, and 2 UAM vehicle parking space at the business Vertiports, servicing 369 flights per day. A Return on Investment of 122% can be achieved with a break-even in 2 years on an investment of $160M.