Analysis of Interactions Between Urban Air Mobility (UAM) Operations and Conventional Traffic in Urban Areas: Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) Study for UAM Operations

Abstract

This paper presents results on potential interaction effects from UAM (Urban Air Mobility) operations integrated into current operational scenarios by evaluating if/where/how Traffic alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) alerts are triggered on-board commercial aircraft. A range of operational scenarios are evaluated with combinations of UAM vehicle route, speed, altitude, and direction along the DFW (Dallas-Fort Worth) "spine route." The effect of UAM altitude uncertainty on the above is also explored. The analysis was done for both South flow and North flow configurations of DFW. When UAM operations are deterministic, no TCAS RAs (Resolution Advisories) are issued. However, UAM altitude uncertainties point out geographic areas of concern with the associated severity of interactions.

Authors

• Bulusu, Vishwanath Universities Space Research Association (USRA)
• Sridhar, Banavar Universities Space Research Association (USRA)
• Cone, Andrew C. NASA Ames Research Center
• Thipphavong, David NASA Ames Research Center

Keywords

• Airspace
• Traffic alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS)
• Urban Air Mobility (UAM)