AERIAL FUTURES: The Third Dimension

2019 Team: Jim Elson, Andrew Ghadimi, Grant Penfield Haugen, Andres Ramirez, Anastasia Sukhoroslova Role: Project Manager; Event + Media Production

Project Location: Cambridge, MA, USA

This project explores how cities can best prepare for the upcoming aerial revolution.

AERIAL FUTURES: The Third Dimension examines the emerging Urban Air Mobility (UAM) market, understanding that with the rapid advancement of autonomous technology, many cities are looking to the sky as a third dimension for transportation and growth. Self-piloted flying vehicles are unlocking the lower skies, allowing cities to expand their capacity for distribution of goods and passengers. With point-to-point connectivity that avoids ground traffic, UAM can decongest road traffic, reducing transport time, pollution, accidents and the strain on existing public transport networks. However, in order for the safe, effective, and smooth adoption of UAM, cities will need to integrate its operations into the existing urban transportation system and assimilate vertiports into the urban fabric to ensure the safety of flying and landing of UAM vehicles. This project discussed provocative approaches for the safe deployment of UAM vehicles above urban areas and considerations to best prepare cities for the upcoming aerial revolution.

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