VERTIFIED Vertiport Research Infrastructure for Innovation Exploration and Demonstration

Abstract

Innovative Air Mobility (IAM) represents a new mode of transportation that will enhance the range of transport options available in urban and regional areas. To successfully introduce IAM, it is essential to integrate it into existing infrastructure and form a connection point. This is done through vertiports. The new VERTIFIED (Vertiport Research Infrastructure for Innovation Exploration and Demonstration) deals with the conceptual development, construction and validation of vertiports It will concentrate on two primary use cases: vertiport in urban area and vertiport at airports. To ensure a comprehensive investigation of vertiports, various DLR institutes will collaborate with external partners from industry, science and society, incorporating diverse perspectives and insights. Requirements will be defined and concepts developed for vertiport typologies. In view of this, the integration of vertiports into urban area and airport will be examined in more detail. The project will define requirements and develop concepts for different vertiport typologies, with a particular emphasis on their integration into urban areas and airports. Additionally, it will explore air traffic management through the implementation of U-Space services for vertiports and experimental system architecture for vertical take-off and landing vehicles (VTOLs). Following the establishment and development of the necessary infrastructure, flight tests will be conducted. The ultimate goal of the project is to create a real technology demonstrator comprising two vertiport prototypes at the National Test Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems, located at the DLR site in Cochstedt, near Magdeburg-Cochstedt Airport. These prototypes will be constructed at a 1:1 scale with a modular and flexible design, enabling the simulation of real-world conditions and adaptation to various scenarios. This real laboratory will produce vital results and insights that will facilitate the commercialization of IAM. Both DLR's internal teams and external stakeholders will have the opportunity to validate and showcase new concepts and technologies at the vertiport and its surrounding areas. The project, led by the Institute of Flight Guidance, is set to run for four years, from July 2024 to June 2028.