GRK 2947:  Technological & Operational Integration of highly automated Air Transport in Urban Areas

• Subject Area: Systems Engineering
• Term: since 2024
• Website: Homepage
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 508591287

Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) offers mobility around metropolitan areas in the 3rd dimension. The rapid development of small, electrically powered flight systems is promising for market readiness soon functioning as air taxi or parcel drone. Meanwhile, the fundamental technological conditions for efficient, socially acceptable operationalization of AAM still requires in-depth analysis and solutions are still in the conceptualization stage, only. To address this issue, the RTG "AirMetro" focuses on three interconnected research areas: A) Capturing the techno-economic framework, B) physical-technical modeling and experimental implementation of the AAM mobility system, and C) assessing and considering socio-technical requirements. The RTG consolidates complementary expertise in environmental science, technology, and transport safety to tackle scientifically ambitious and socially challenging research that aims to support sustainable mobility solutions beyond the operationalization of AAM. The research goal is the multi-objective modeling of a highly automated mobility system that integrates flying sensor technology, reliable and real-time capable secure communication, and mission planning of the vehicles in topologically challenging urban airspaces. The research also considers optimally located take-off/landing sites (vertiports) and their intermodal connection to the existing transport network, intelligent swarm concepts, and navigation and flight behavior under micro-climatically volatile conditions in a smart urban space. Synergies result from the intensive networking of the topics/doctoral researchers. The RTG establishes structured formats of exchange such as workshops, seminars abroad, and summer schools to foster collaboration. A postdoctoral researcher provides added value to AirMetro by scientifically linking various RTG topics aiming at concluding with an AAM concept demonstrator for an integrated mobility system. To test and validate the research, the RTG takes advantage of the brand new “Smart Mobility Lab” located in the Lusatia region, currently still under construction, which will provide high-end modern measurement and flight test equipment. All research data collected are considered highly valuable for other researchers, will be documented and archived as OpenAccess, handled by a Data Steward:ess. The RTG also provides support on an internationally excellent level through a focused qualification concept, training of professional skills, and a stay abroad under the supervision of well recognized tutors in the field. The RTG will so offer ideal conditions for an attractive, challenging career for young potentials in participating scientific disciplines and in the growing AAM industry.

• DFG Programme: Research Training Groups
• Applicant Institution: Technische Universität Dresden
• Participating Institution: Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR)
• Spokesperson: Professor Dr.-Ing. Hartmut Fricke
• Participating Researchers: Professor Dr. Uwe Aßmann; Professorin Dr. Anette Eltner; Professor Dr.-Ing. Frank Hanns Paul Fitzek; Professorin Dr.-Ing. Regine Gerike; Professor Dr. Georg Hirte; Professor Dr.-Ing. Michael Kaliske; Professor Dr.-Ing. Christoph Keßler; Professor Dr. Hans-Gerd Maas; Dr.-Ing. Judith Rosenow