DESIGN OF A UAM GROUND INFRASTRUCTURE NETWORK WITH RESPECT TO MAINTENANCE CAPACITY REQUIREMENTS

Kurzfassung

Before a successful introduction of Urban Air Mobility can be achieved, numerous challenges must be addressed, one of which is the development of efficient traffic networks with all associated components. Previous studies have already examined UAM networks in terms of fleet capacity requirements, energy supply, and parking positions. The aim of this study is the further development of these methods to analyze the necessary capacity of maintenance infrastructure for an eVTOL fleet. Another aspect of this work is to investigate the impact of the centralization degree of a maintenance facility network. While centralized networks have potential to reduce redundancies, decentralized networks may help to reduce detours caused by empty relocation flights to maintenance facilities. Therefore, necessary maintenance intervals are first investigated. Based on these insights, maintenance processes are then planned for an exemplary fleet operating in the City of Hamburg(Germany). Finally, the overall demand for maintenance services is quantified at the network level and the potential benefits of a decentralized maintenance facility network are evaluated with regard to the reduction of empty flights.