Developing Models and Methods for Autonomous Drones in Urban Air Transport

With the exponential growth of numerous drone operations ranging from infrastructure monitoring to even package delivery services, the integration of UAS in the smart city transportation systems is an actual task that requires radically new, sustainable (safe, secure, with minimum environmental impact and life cycle cost) solutions. This paper deals with the required ATM and dedicated control systems for drones or groups of drones. Drones may follow the fixed trajectories (or corridors) by an autonomous trajectory tracking control system, coupled with autonomous conflict detection, resolution, and formation flight options. Drones will be connected with the agency, designed trajectories to support them with factual information on trajectories and corridors. While the agency will use trajectory elements to design fixed or desired trajectories, drones may use the conventional GPS, infrared, acoustic, and visual sensors for positioning and advanced navigation. The accuracy can be improved by unique markers integrated into the infrastructure.