The Development Demands and Typical Application Scenarios of Urban Low-Altitude Transport

With the worsening condition of urban traffic congestion and environmental pollution, the public tends to choose safe, convenient, and green ways to travel and deliver goods. Also, due to the rapid development of cutting-edge technologies such as battery technology, automation technology, and electronic vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL), the concept of Urban Low-Altitude Transport (ULAT) has emerged as it requires. It is expected to become a disruptive emerging industry in the future air traffic area with innovative technology and achieve the objectives of revolutionizing the traditional modes of transportation. This study analyzes the diversified development demands of different participants, including the government, enterprises, and the public, in terms of organizational management, operational services, and travel activities for ULAT. The technological and economic characteristics and transportation needs are focused on to analyze the development orientation of ULAT. Typical business fields, such as logistics transportation, highway inspection and supervision are selected to analyze as the specific application scenarios. Finally, the key technologies and application effects of ULAT are explored. The research offers references for the industrial planning, application management, and commercial promotion of ULAT.