Urban Skies Revolution: NASA and Joby's Trailblazer Air Taxi Simulation
In an innovative alliance, NASA and Joby Aviation are setting the stage for a radical change in urban transportation. Their recent air traffic simulation exercise aimed at integrating air taxis and other electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles into the nation's busiest airports. As urban areas grapple with increasing traffic congestion and seek sustainable transportation solutions, this initiative marks a significant leap towards a future where air taxis are common in our skies.
These eVTOL aircraft, known for their zero-operating emissions, use electric power to take off, cruise, and land, offering a sustainable transportation option for the air taxi industry. The collaboration has culminated in a series of simulations at NASA's Ames Research Center in California's Silicon Valley, showcasing the potential of these vehicles to transform urban mobility.
Imagine the scenario: In cities like Los Angeles or New York, where rush hour traffic can turn a short 12-mile journey into an hour-long ordeal, eVTOLs offer a tantalizing solution. For a business traveler in Dallas who needs to make a quick trip from downtown to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, a 45-minute drive could be reduced to a mere 15 minutes with air taxis. Similarly, in cities worldwide, from Houston and São Paulo to Tokyo, eVTOLs could significantly reduce travel times, reduce carbon emissions, and offer a new connectivity layer. These aren't just hypotheticals; they are the potential real-world implications of integrating eVTOLs into our urban mobility fabric, as demonstrated by the recent simulation exercise by NASA and Joby Aviation.
The simulation exercise was conducted at Ames' air traffic control simulation facility, FutureFlight Central, a two-story facility providing a 360-degree, full-scale simulation of an airport. This environment allows controllers, pilots, and airport personnel to test operating procedures and evaluate new technologies. Representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the National Association of Air Traffic Controllers, and various stakeholders were invited to observe the simulation. The demonstration highlighted the ability of eVTOL pilots to navigate safely along specific routes at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and Dallas Love Field Airport.
Integration Capacity: The simulation successfully integrated up to 120 eVTOL operations each hour in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) central terminal area, alongside the airport's existing traffic. This demonstrated a significant capacity for high-density eVTOL operations in busy airspace.
Simultaneous Flights: At peak times, the simulation managed up to 45 simulated eVTOL aircraft flying simultaneously in DFW’s Class B airspace, indicating that a busy airspace can handle multiple eVTOLs without disrupting conventional air traffic.
The simulation provided valuable data to the FAA and industry for integrating these aircraft into operations, showing how NASA-developed air traffic control procedures and airspace concepts could reduce the workload on air traffic controllers for eVTOL operations in airports. The human-in-the-loop simulation, featuring active and retired air traffic controllers, evaluated traffic schedules developed by Joby based on market analysis and future demand expectations.
NASA's initial analysis indicates that these procedures could be scaled for operating eVTOLs in other airports nationwide, potentially reducing the workload on air traffic controllers. A detailed analysis of the simulation outcomes will be released in 2024. This comprehensive report will offer fresh insights to the FAA, the commercial sector, and airport authorities, aiding in identifying practical tools and methods. These will facilitate the rapid and efficient incorporation of eVTOLs into current and prospective airport operations.