Evaluation of Key Operational Constraints Affecting On-Demand Mobility for Aviation in the Los Angeles Basin: Ground Infrastructure, Air Traffic Control and Noise

This paper investigated three key operational constraints anticipated to impact On-Demand Mobility for Aviation markets in the Los Angeles basin including: community acceptance issues resulting from aircraft noise, the availability of takeoff and landing areas, and the scalability of operations under Air Traffic Control. The analysis provided insight into the nature of each of these constraints and potential approaches to their mitigation. First, existing ground infrastructure in Los Angeles that may support ODM Aviation operations was identified. A variety of proposed techniques to increase the geographic distribution and throughput capacity of ODM Aviation infrastructure were also evaluated. Second, ASDE-X radar tracking data from the Los Angeles International Airport was reviewed to identify areas where it may be feasible to route future ODM operations due to the low volume of conventional operations. Potential opportunities and risks associated with supplementing air traffic control through novel low-altitude management concepts such as NASA's Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM) program were also investigated. Finally, the influence of aircraft noise on local communities’ acceptance of aircraft operations was discussed. Various pathways through which communities may limit or prohibit aircraft operations were reviewed.