Sustainable first/last/only-mile (FLO-mile) transport is the key to sustainable travel. It could directly replace private car use for short urban journeys, which account for 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions. More importantly, it could enable public transport to be used for longer journeys, which account for 6% of emissions. Active travel, such as walking and cycling, has the lowest emissions and provides huge economic benefits that pay for the required infrastructure many times over. Unsettled Issues Regarding First- and Last-Mile Transport discusses the mass switch to more sustainable modes of transport and how to increase their perceived value to users. It also covers the prioritization of publicly owned cycles over rideshare options due to the latter’s higher lifecycle emissions, including manufacture, redistribution, and service operations and station construction. Click here to access the full SAE EDGETM Research Report portfolio. https://doi.org/10.4271/EPR2021024

Automated driving systems (ADS) represent an area of considerable investment and activity within the transportation sphere. The potential impact of ADS on safety, efficiency, and user experience are extremely significant. To get the most from the technology, it is important to ensure that policies are developed to support the balance between achieving public sector objectives and supporting private sector innovation. This SAE EDGE™ Research Report explores the policy aspects related to ADS technology, explains the key stakeholders, identifies unsettled issues, and proposes a number of steps to move forward and improve the current situation. It is hoped that the report will provide a valuable resource to those involved in the definition of ADS policy from both public and private perspectives. It is also intended to serve as a resource for those involved in ADS planning and development and public sector staff involved in other aspects beyond ADS policy. NOTE: SAE EDGE™ Research Reports are intended to identify and illuminate key issues in emerging, but still unsettled, technologies of interest to the mobility industry. The goal of SAE EDGE™ Research Reports is to stimulate discussion and work in the hope of promoting and speeding resolution of identified issues. SAE EDGE™ Research Reports are not intended to resolve the challenges they identify or close any topic to further scrutiny. Click here to access the full SAE EDGETM Research Report portfolio. https://doi.org/10.4271/EPR2020016

Advanced air mobility (AAM) refers to urban transportation systems that move people and goods by air. This has significant implications for reducing traffic congestion in cities and for providing an integrated approach to urban mobility. With the emergence of drone technology and the possibility of more autonomous aircraft, interest has grown considerably in AAM. Unsettled Issues in Advanced Air Mobility Certification discusses the impact of AAM on private sector solution providers including aerospace and technology companies and goes into solutions for urban planners and transportation professionals for better integration across all AAM modes. Click here to access the full SAE EDGETM Research Report portfolio. https://doi.org/10.4271/EPR2021014

Advancements in electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft have generated significant interest within and beyond the traditional aviation industry. One particularly promising application involves on-demand, rapid-response use cases to broaden first responders, police, and medical transport mission capabilities. With the dynamic and varying public service operations, eVTOL aircraft can offer potentially cost-effective aerial mobility components to the overall solution, including significant lifesaving benefits. The Use of eVTOL Aircraft for First Responder, Police, and Medical Transport Applications discusses the challenges need to be addressed before identified capabilities and benefits can be realized at scale: Mission-specific eVTOL vehicle development Operator- and patient-specific accommodations Detect-and-avoid capabilities in complex and challenging operating environments Autonomous and artificial intelligence-enhanced mission capabilities Home-base charging systems for battery power platforms Simplified operator and support training Vehicle/fleet maintenance and support Acceptance and participation from stakeholder services, local and state-level leadership, field operators, and support team members Click here to access the full SAE EDGETM Research Report portfolio. https://doi.org/10.4271/EPR2023020

On-road vehicles equipped with driving automation features—where a human might not be needed for operation on-board—are entering the mainstream public space. However, questions like “How safe is safe enough?” and “What to do if the system fails?” persist. This is where remote operation comes in, which is an additional layer to the automated driving system where a human remotely assists the so-called “driverless” vehicle in certain situations. Such remote-operation solutions introduce additional challenges and potential risks as the entire vehicle-network-human now needs to work together safely, effectively, and practically. Unsettled Issues in Remote Operation for On-road Driving Automation highlights technical questions (e.g., network latency, bandwidth, cyber security) and human aspects (e.g., workload, attentiveness, situational awareness) of remote operation and introduces evolving solutions. The report also discusses standards development and regulations—both of which are needed to provide frameworks for the deployment of driving automation with remote operation. Click here to access the full SAE EDGETM Research Report portfolio. https://doi.org/10.4271/EPR2021028

Recent advancements of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft have generated significant interest within and beyond the traditional aviation industry, and many new and novel applications have been identified and under development. The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the challenges of managing a global pandemic response due to the difference in regional and local resources, culture, and political systems. Although there may not be a uniform crisis management strategy that the world can agree on, we can leverage a new generation of vertical flight vehicles to make a difference if (or when) such a global epidemic strikes again. One of the key challenges realized in the early stage of the COVID-19 outbreak is the ability to allocate and distribute limited and critical medical resources, including equipment, supplies, medical personnel, and first responders to the hot spots when and where they may be needed. The on-demand logistics capabilities could be enhanced by the availability of new-generation eVTOL aircraft and their forthcoming autonomous operation. The ability to land and takeoff at many unconventional locations makes eVTOL aircraft valuable assists for complementing and enhancing on-demand logistic needs. To make such operations truly productive is not easy; there are reassociated challenges that needed to be addressed to enable the benefit of such a system. In addition to having a large enough eVTOL fleet near a location that can be available for the pandemic responses, the support system and the ability to deploy and reposition the fleet dynamically with supporting infrastructures are also required. Based on the rapid development progress of eVTOL, it is envisioned that those challenges can be addressed soon. https://doi.org/10.4271/EPR2020022

With billions of dollars of investment and events like DARPA’s Grand Challenges automated driving technology has been making its way toward commercialization. While the enabling technology for SAE Level 4 and 5 automated vehicles (AV) has not yet matured, specific restricted-use models such as “robo-taxis” and automated truck convoying show great promise. Now, cities are across the world are looking to AVs to solve their public transportation issues. With low speeds and fixed route, public transportation is an ideal application for AVs. From a business angle, AVs could leverage existing public transport models and infrastructure while providing superior quality of service for disadvantaged communities. Yet, dense urban environments—which would benefit from automated transportation the most—present unique challenges and public sector requirements. This SAE EDGE™ Research Report by Dr. Rahul Razdan examines the divergent applications and experiences of four urban cities as they engage with AV technology for their specific purposes: Jacksonville and Orlando, Florida; Tallinn; and Singapore. Click here to access the full SAE EDGETM Research Report portfolio. https://doi.org/10.4271/EPR2020020

The current business model of the automotive industry is based on individual car ownership, yet new ridesharing companies such as Uber and Lyft are well capitalized to invest in large, commercially operated, on-demand mobility service vehicle fleets. Car manufacturers like Tesla want to incorporate personal car owners into part-time fleet operation by utilizing the company’s fleet service. These robotaxi fleets can be operated profitably when the technology works in a reliable manner and regulators allow driverless operation. Although Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) models of private and commercial vehicle fleets can complement public transportation models, they may contribute to lower public transportation ridership and thus higher subsidies per ride. This can lead to inefficiencies in the utilization of existing public transportation infrastructure. MaaS platforms can also cause a reduced reliance on parking infrastructure (e.g., street parking lanes and parking garages) which can contribute to an improvement in overall traffic flow, and a reduction in capital investment for commercial and residential real-estate development. Urban planning can be better centered around the true mobility needs of the citizens without sacrificing valuable space for vehicles that are inactive most of the time. A key challenge is the transition phase where traditional forms of car ownership and transportation coexist with new forms of mobility services (before true MaaS platforms are fully optimized). Another fundamental issue is determining the true cost of car ownership and establishing ideal cost structures for on-demand mobility services in order to replace the need of owning a car. This needs to occur without compromising subsidized public transportation which provides affordable transportation for low-income groups. NOTE: SAE EDGE™ Research Reports are intended to identify and illuminate key issues in emerging, but still unsettled, technologies of interest to the mobility industry. The goal of SAE EDGE™ Research Reports is to stimulate discussion and work in the hope of promoting and speeding resolution of identified issues. SAE EDGE™ Research Reports are not intended to resolve the issues they identify or close any topic to further scrutiny. Click here to access the full SAE EDGETM Research Report portfolio. https://doi.org/10.4271/EPR2019004

Replacing fossil-fueled vehicles with battery-electric ones is a risky strategy. It is likely to be limited by the supply of metals critical to battery and solar cell production, and the investment required in decarbonized electricity. Using hydrogen to store renewable energy would greatly reduce efficiency, further increasing the investment required to decarbonize the electricity supply. The lowest technical risk and most economical pathway to decarbonization is reducing private car use. Shorter journeys would be made by walking and cycling – also known as “active travel” – with public transport used for most longer journeys. Realizing this cultural change in transport behavior will first require comprehensive networks for safe and enjoyable active travel, which separate walking and cycling. All locations should connect to either a fully segregated cycleway or traffic calmed roadways with a maximum speed of 30 kph. Active travel investment can save money due to improved public health, eliminate the 11% of carbon emissions caused by short car journeys, and facilitate public transport by empowering people to reach their final destination. Bicycle manufacturing is growing rapidly and further innovations in transport cycles and other lightweight vehicles compatible with an active travel infrastructure will boost this growth. Increased use of public transportation is vital to efficiently use the limited availability of decarbonized electricity. Autonomous vehicles in private use may increase vehicle miles, but autonomous operation within public transportation systems could be transformative. The remaining private cars, buses, and heavy goods vehicles could be electrified more cost effectively using electric road systems. These enable unlimited range and smaller batteries, with the lowest societal cost of any private car-based decarbonization pathway. Although users may pay higher road tax or tolls for the infrastructure, this is easily offset by greatly reduced vehicle costs and improved efficiency. Electrification needs to be brought initially to city bus networks and heavily used transport corridors. Wider use will require standardization and investment at the federal level or continental level. NOTE: SAE EDGE™ Research Reports are intended to identify and illuminate key issues in emerging, but still unsettled, technologies of interest to the mobility industry. The goal of SAE EDGE™ Research Reports is to stimulate discussion and work in the hope of promoting and speeding resolution of identified issues. SAE EDGE™ Research Reports are not intended to resolve the issues they identify or close any topic to further scrutiny. Click here to access the full SAE EDGETM Research Report portfolio. https://doi.org/10.4271/EPR2020014

Recent advancements of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft have generated significant interest within and beyond the traditional aviation industry. One promising application for these innovative systems is in firefighting support during urban, rural, and wildland firefighting operations. Future eVTOL firefighting capabilities could include early detection and suppression, civilian rescue, and on-demand aerial deployment and extraction of firefighters. Unsettled Issues Concerning eVTOL for Rapid-response, On-demand Firefighting identifies the challenges to be addressed so that these capabilities and benefits could be realized at scale: Firefighting-specific eVTOL vehicle development Sense and avoid capabilities in smoke-inhibited environments Autonomous and remote operating capabilities Charging system compatibility and availability Operator and controller training Dynamic air space management Vehicle/fleet logistics and support First-responder and general public acceptance Click here to access the full SAE EDGETM Research Report portfolio. https://doi.org/10.4271/EPR2021017