Periodic Reporting for period 1 - EUREKA (EUropean Key solutions for vertiports and UAM)
Período documentado: 2023-06-01 hasta 2024-12-31
Vertiports serve as the central ground infrastructure element for VTOL-capable aircraft (VCA) as part of Innovative Air Mobility (IAM), connecting the urban airspace with the ground. Vertiports need to be integrated into the urban landscape, but more importantly, they have to be integrated into the airspace in a safe and sustainable manner. Configured in a variety of ways, vertiports must accommodate different use cases and traffic volumes, so ground and airspace design recommendations, processes and procedures must be adaptable to different operating environments. The real-time operating status of the Vertiport must be shared among all users, as it is critical information that affects all phases of future VCA flights. Therefore, vertiports need to be included as key stakeholders in both, the ATM and U-space Concept of Operations and the related U-space Regulatory Framework.
EUREKA stands out as the first SESAR project to extend the current scope of the existing ATM, air operations and U-space regulatory framework, in particular, for vertiport stakeholders. The extension includes the development of performance-based requirements for approach, departure and en-route procedures to and from vertiports, while taking into account the specific requirements of crewed VCA. The procedures cover various scenarios and time frames, ranging from short-term solutions for segregated crewed VCA operations to long-term strategies involving advanced U-space services and fully integrated (un)crewed VCA operations. This includes the development of Letters of Agreement and Route Operating Documents to facilitate these operations in the future. Beyond nominal use cases, EUREKA addresses the challenge of managing disturbances and emergencies within vertiport environment e.g. caused by disruptive UAS (cooperative and non-cooperative) and a crewed VCA in Critical Failure for Performance (CFP) state, leading to tactical changes in the U-space airspace configuration. Focusing on the creation of an IAM vertiport ecosystem, EUREKA introduces the Vertiport Collaborative Traffic Management system, which serves as the backbone for managing IAM traffic at a vertiport by centralizing vertiport airside ground information such as availability, schedules and capacity constraints, contributing to a comprehensive operational picture. The Corridor Management service, as part of the Common Information Service (CIS) platform, extends this ecosystem to also address capacity constraints of the U-space airspace. To complete the holistic picture and to maintain the overall efficiency of multiple vertiports interacting with each other, ATM processes and airport throughput, EUREKA investigates the role of a newly defined Vertiport Network Manager (V-NM). This actor monitors and manages multiple vertiports distributed over an urban local network, located in controlled and uncontrolled airspace and co-located with airports.
Together, EUREKA's interconnected efforts aim to shape the future of IAM by fostering a vertiport ecosystem characterized by safety, efficiency, and adaptability to different timeframes and evolutionary eras of U-space. EUREKA's mission is clear: We want to advance the current state of the art for (un)crewed VCAs and to establish vertiports as an integral part of U-space and future IAM transportation networks. To do so, we are developing a scalable solution for both crewed and uncrewed U-space airspace users alongside traditional aviation. EUREKA aims at a safe, efficient and sustainable IAM vertiport ecosystem that can thrive in urban environments, interact closely with airports and can be operated in different airspace classes.
EUREKA stands out as the first SESAR project to extend the current scope of the existing ATM, air operations and U-space regulatory framework, in particular, for vertiport stakeholders. The extension includes the development of performance-based requirements for approach, departure and en-route procedures to and from vertiports, while taking into account the specific requirements of crewed VCA. The procedures cover various scenarios and time frames, ranging from short-term solutions for segregated crewed VCA operations to long-term strategies involving advanced U-space services and fully integrated (un)crewed VCA operations. This includes the development of Letters of Agreement and Route Operating Documents to facilitate these operations in the future. Beyond nominal use cases, EUREKA addresses the challenge of managing disturbances and emergencies within vertiport environment e.g. caused by disruptive UAS (cooperative and non-cooperative) and a crewed VCA in Critical Failure for Performance (CFP) state, leading to tactical changes in the U-space airspace configuration. Focusing on the creation of an IAM vertiport ecosystem, EUREKA introduces the Vertiport Collaborative Traffic Management system, which serves as the backbone for managing IAM traffic at a vertiport by centralizing vertiport airside ground information such as availability, schedules and capacity constraints, contributing to a comprehensive operational picture. The Corridor Management service, as part of the Common Information Service (CIS) platform, extends this ecosystem to also address capacity constraints of the U-space airspace. To complete the holistic picture and to maintain the overall efficiency of multiple vertiports interacting with each other, ATM processes and airport throughput, EUREKA investigates the role of a newly defined Vertiport Network Manager (V-NM). This actor monitors and manages multiple vertiports distributed over an urban local network, located in controlled and uncontrolled airspace and co-located with airports.
Together, EUREKA's interconnected efforts aim to shape the future of IAM by fostering a vertiport ecosystem characterized by safety, efficiency, and adaptability to different timeframes and evolutionary eras of U-space. EUREKA's mission is clear: We want to advance the current state of the art for (un)crewed VCAs and to establish vertiports as an integral part of U-space and future IAM transportation networks. To do so, we are developing a scalable solution for both crewed and uncrewed U-space airspace users alongside traditional aviation. EUREKA aims at a safe, efficient and sustainable IAM vertiport ecosystem that can thrive in urban environments, interact closely with airports and can be operated in different airspace classes.
From the start of the project the partners did significant progress they have achieved in this reporting period, namely:
• WP2 focused on effectively sharing all relevant activities with its target groups, LinkedIn account was active and posted on EUREKA activities at a high rhythm, publication of academic papers further contributed to the project's visibility in the research community.
• WP3 has mainly focused on the service and environment definition as well as on the initial reference framework for validation activities of the four solutions. It conducted a series of online meetings and an onsite workshop with the goal of harmonizing different solutions aspects.
• WP4 work has mainly focused on development of a methodology to capture what is happening in each solution on a regular basis, and includes the following establishing a clear roadmap for documents delivery.
WP5/ Solution 1 (Arrival / Departure to/from vertiport incl. route and trajectory, led by VOLOCOPTER) has submitted as official deliverable initial OSED/SPR/INTEROP, VALP for TRL4. It worked on several aspects as refining scope, tailoring stakeholder needs, planning and executing validation activities.
• Identifying and addressing specific stakeholder needs, sometimes beyond the SESAR performance framework (e.g. passenger comfort), and deriving corresponding operational requirements.
• Developing an A&FP Design Process
WP6/ Solution 2 (Vertiport collaborative traffic management, led by AENA) work has mainly focused on:
• deliverables production for TRL2 and TRL4 as initial OSED/SPR/INTEROP, VALP for TRL2, TRL4. BIM to assess and quantify the benefits of VCTM. Validation Activities planned for the Solution 2 from TRL2 to TRL7
• started outlining the technical system requirements, necessary for the development and implementation detailing the interface requirements to ensure seamless integration between different systems and components involved in the VCTM framework
WP7/ Solution 3 (Vertiport disruption and emergency management, led by HOLOGARDE) activities have been mainly focused on:
• development of deliverables, such as: initial OSED/SPR/INTEROP (first iteration TRL2 and TRL4), Solution initial STAND & REG for TRL2, VALP I.II.III & IV for TRL4;
• definition of Validation activities & organization of two exercises in 2024 (RTS, Expert Judgement Groups), with a main focus so far on TRL2-4, ongoing preparation of next exercises planned in 2025 (FTS, RTS, Live-trial);
• setting up coordination amongst Solution partners.
WP8/ Solution 4 (Vertiport network flow, capacity & operational management, led by UrbanV)
• has delivered initial OSED/SPR/INTEROP, VALP for TRL4.
• This consisted of a deeper research and understanding of the concept of network of vertiports, including the innovative stakeholder of Local Vertiport Network Manager and its different functionalities.
• WP2 focused on effectively sharing all relevant activities with its target groups, LinkedIn account was active and posted on EUREKA activities at a high rhythm, publication of academic papers further contributed to the project's visibility in the research community.
• WP3 has mainly focused on the service and environment definition as well as on the initial reference framework for validation activities of the four solutions. It conducted a series of online meetings and an onsite workshop with the goal of harmonizing different solutions aspects.
• WP4 work has mainly focused on development of a methodology to capture what is happening in each solution on a regular basis, and includes the following establishing a clear roadmap for documents delivery.
WP5/ Solution 1 (Arrival / Departure to/from vertiport incl. route and trajectory, led by VOLOCOPTER) has submitted as official deliverable initial OSED/SPR/INTEROP, VALP for TRL4. It worked on several aspects as refining scope, tailoring stakeholder needs, planning and executing validation activities.
• Identifying and addressing specific stakeholder needs, sometimes beyond the SESAR performance framework (e.g. passenger comfort), and deriving corresponding operational requirements.
• Developing an A&FP Design Process
WP6/ Solution 2 (Vertiport collaborative traffic management, led by AENA) work has mainly focused on:
• deliverables production for TRL2 and TRL4 as initial OSED/SPR/INTEROP, VALP for TRL2, TRL4. BIM to assess and quantify the benefits of VCTM. Validation Activities planned for the Solution 2 from TRL2 to TRL7
• started outlining the technical system requirements, necessary for the development and implementation detailing the interface requirements to ensure seamless integration between different systems and components involved in the VCTM framework
WP7/ Solution 3 (Vertiport disruption and emergency management, led by HOLOGARDE) activities have been mainly focused on:
• development of deliverables, such as: initial OSED/SPR/INTEROP (first iteration TRL2 and TRL4), Solution initial STAND & REG for TRL2, VALP I.II.III & IV for TRL4;
• definition of Validation activities & organization of two exercises in 2024 (RTS, Expert Judgement Groups), with a main focus so far on TRL2-4, ongoing preparation of next exercises planned in 2025 (FTS, RTS, Live-trial);
• setting up coordination amongst Solution partners.
WP8/ Solution 4 (Vertiport network flow, capacity & operational management, led by UrbanV)
• has delivered initial OSED/SPR/INTEROP, VALP for TRL4.
• This consisted of a deeper research and understanding of the concept of network of vertiports, including the innovative stakeholder of Local Vertiport Network Manager and its different functionalities.
Here are outlined the current status of the results from the TRL4 phase of the project.
Solution 1:This was achieved after Expert judgement assessment via Delphi Technique.
Solution 2: VCTM is conceived as a system that support to assist humans in making timely and informed decisions
Solution 3: It is a big consensus in which Real time simulation to assess Vertiport operator (VO) situational awareness, ATCo – USSP communication in case of contingency situations, ATCO situational awareness.
Solution 4 Expert Judgment Workshop highlighted the Vertiport Network Manager’s role in improving strategic and tactical capacity balancing, optimizing slot allocation, and facilitating communication among stakeholders. The Fast Time Simulation (FTS) validated the feasibility of handling a given number of movements per hour under current operational constraints.
Solution 1:This was achieved after Expert judgement assessment via Delphi Technique.
Solution 2: VCTM is conceived as a system that support to assist humans in making timely and informed decisions
Solution 3: It is a big consensus in which Real time simulation to assess Vertiport operator (VO) situational awareness, ATCo – USSP communication in case of contingency situations, ATCO situational awareness.
Solution 4 Expert Judgment Workshop highlighted the Vertiport Network Manager’s role in improving strategic and tactical capacity balancing, optimizing slot allocation, and facilitating communication among stakeholders. The Fast Time Simulation (FTS) validated the feasibility of handling a given number of movements per hour under current operational constraints.