A Comprehensive Analysis of Society's Perspective on Urban Air Mobility

Abstract

Urban Air Mobility (UAM) is an innovative concept that offers a distinct solution for dense urban transportation through the use of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), despite not being the first technological development in transportation. This study aims to understand society's perspective on this innovative concept by analysing its benefits and challenges. A total of 518 individuals living in Ankara and Istanbul, which are the provinces with the highest population density in Türkiye, were surveyed online as part of this research. The analysis results indicate that the system is perceived as beneficial by the public, particularly in emergency situations, where its usage receives general acceptance. However, significant challenges are observed in terms of integrating UAM into the existing airspace. Moreover, variations in the level of benefit based on gender and frequency of public transportation usage, as well as differences in the level of challenge based on age, have been identified. Furthermore, it is evident that there are differences in society regarding knowledge level, attitude, and willingness to use UAM.

The Future of UAVs in Urban Air Mobility: Public Perception and Concerns

“…Previous studies have revealed that public acceptance of such aerial vehicles can be influenced by public knowledge, awareness, and interactions with UAVs (Melo et al, 2023;Tan et al, 2021). In today's urban environments, there is a lack of information about the use of UAVs equipped with advanced autonomous systems within the scope of UAM (Çınar & Tuncal, 2023;Wang, Mutzner, & Blanchet, 2023). A report published in Australia also supports this view, indicating a neutral attitude stemming from a lack of knowledge about UAV technology (Clothier et al, 2015).…”