New paper explores a concept of operations for the eVTOL passenger journey
A new paper by AtkinsRéalis outlines the potential passenger journey that those travelling in electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft from novel vertiports could take.
Created as part of the Air Mobility Ecosystem Consortium - which is demonstrating the feasibility of a UK Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) ecosystem and supported by the Government’s Future Flight Challenge - the paper explores the sequence of processes that passengers will experience. From booking an eVTOL flight to reaching their end destination.
James Richmond, AtkinsRéalis Head of Advanced Air Mobility, said: “If AAM is to provide a viable alternative to other forms of ground transportation, and encourage a change in travel behaviour, the entire end-to-end journey needs to be inclusive, efficient, and hassle-free. We explore the role biometric and identity management technology can play in achieving this seamless passenger experience, and describe how data will underpin the journey.”
With the AAM market estimated to be worth $2 billion by 2030*, passenger eVTOL services present an alternative, accessible and affordable mode of transport that could significantly reduce journey times, when compared with ground transport. This places greater emphasis on streamlining the journey through the vertiport – should passengers have to spend considerably more time in the vertiport than travelling to their destination, eVTOL services’ attractiveness would be diminished.
While passenger journey times must be minimised, essential security standards must be met suggests the paper. James believes this can be achieved by the right level of identity management, and process automation that is supported by passenger assistance agents where required.
Outlining the need for a well-defined flow of data between systems and stakeholders, he says: “Flight operators and vertiport operators will need to share passenger data relating to eVTOL flights at various touchpoints throughout the passenger journey, to non-intrusively conduct all required pre-departure checks. Automation of processes could enable a hassle-free travel experience, removing the need for passengers to continuously present documentation at various points throughout their journey. In reducing operational costs, as fewer employees are required to process passengers, it could offer savings that can be passed onto passengers, helping to make eVTOL transport more affordable.”
The paper also considers the data protection implications of this data sharing, recommending that a lawful basis for processing personal data needs to be established, a data protection impact assessment undertaken, and data security controls and measures agreed.
Read the full paper here.
*https://levitatecap.com/levitate/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Levitate-Capital-White-Paper.pdf