Benefits and challenges of constructing low-altitude air route network infrastructure for developing low-altitude economy

Authors

Xiaohan LIAO, State Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Information System, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Key Laboratory of Civil Aviation Low-Altitude Geographic Information and Route, Civil Aviation Administration of China, Beijing 100101, ChinaFollow
Chenchen XU, State Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Information System, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Key Laboratory of Civil Aviation Low-Altitude Geographic Information and Route, Civil Aviation Administration of China, Beijing 100101, ChinaFollow
Huping YE, State Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Information System, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Key Laboratory of Civil Aviation Low-Altitude Geographic Information and Route, Civil Aviation Administration of China, Beijing 100101, China

Keywords

low-altitude economy; low-altitude air route network; low-altitude infrastructure; airspace revenue

Abstract

Low-altitude airspace is a resource that needs to be fully explored, and the low-altitude economy is a new type of economic activity resulted from low-altitude airspace exploration and utilization. As the primary players of low-altitude flight activities, the commercialization and wide applications of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are promoting the prosperity of the low-altitude economy. A low-altitude air route network is an effective means to ensure the safe and efficient operations of a large number of UAVs, and it is also a new key infrastructure hosting low-altitude traffic. The history shows that the investment on public transport infrastructure as a policy tool to help economic growth has been widely used; similarly, investment on and construction of the low-altitude air route network infrastructure will yield significant social and economic benefits and foster a landscape rise of the low-altitude economy. Addressing the current issues of vague definitions and development paths in the low-altitude economy, this study attempts to propose a technical solution from the perspectives of geography science by constructing low-altitude air route network infrastructure and an airspace revenue mechanism to unlock the potential of the low-altitude economy.

First page

1966

Last Page

1981

Language

Chinese

Publisher

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences

References

1 廖小罕. 城市空中交通发展与路网基础设施建设. 中国空管, 2023, (5): 11-14. Liao X H. Urban air mobility development and infrastructure construction of road network. China Aviation Management, 2023, (5): 11-14. (in Chinese)

2 Bradford S. UAM ConOps v1.0. Washington, DC: FAA, 2020.

3 Gipson L. Advanced Air Mobility Mission. Washington, DC: NASA, 2022.

4 Choi J H, Park Y. Exploring economic feasibility for airport shuttle service of urban air mobility (UAM). Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 2022, 162: 267-281.

5 Garrow L A, German B J, Leonard C E. Urban air mobility: A comprehensive review and comparative analysis with autonomous and electric ground transportation for informing future research. Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, 2021, 132: 1-31.

6 Demsetz H. Some aspects of property rights. The Journal of Law and Economics, 1966, 9: 61-70.

7 Skorup B. Drone technology, airspace design, and aerial law in states and cities. Akron Law Review, 2022, 55(1): 4.

8 江昊. 低空空域权与空间权的冲突调和路径. 郑州航空工业管理学院学报（社会科学版）, 2020, 39(3): 23-31. Jiang H. The conflict and harmony path between low attitude airspace right and space right. Journal of Zhengzhou University of Aeronautics (Social Science Edition), 2020, 39(3): 23-31. (in Chinese)

9 李晓津, 王志强, 邓戬. 空域资源经济价值研究与应用. 价格理论与实践, 2013, (12): 89-90.Li X J, Wang Z Q, Deng J. Research and application of economic value of airspace resources. Price: Theory & Practice, 2013, (12): 89-90. (in Chinese)

10 杜欣儒, 路紫, 郜方, 等. 灵活空域使用的设计方法与应用及其时间替代机制. 地球科学进展, 2016, 31(6): 643-649.Du X R, Lu Z, Gao F, et al. Design method, application and time alternative mechanism of flexible use of airspace. Advances in Earth Science, 2016, 31(6): 643-649. (in Chinese)

11 董雅晴, 路紫, 张一诺, 等. 航空流网络解构与空域资源动态配置研究——以京-成空中廊道为例. 地理与地理信息科学, 2022, 38(1): 116-123.Dong Y Q, Lu Z, Zhang Y N, et al. Deconstruction of air traffic flow network and dynamic allocation of airspace resources: A case study of Beijing-Chengdu corridor-in-the-sky. Geography and Geo-Information Science, 2022, 38(1): 116-123. (in Chinese)

12 Gao Q, Hu M H, Yang L, et al. GIS-based spatial patterns analysis of airspace resource availability in China. Aerospace, 2022, 9(12): 763.

13 Cho J W, Yoon Y J. How to assess the capacity of urban airspace: A topological approach using keep-in and keep-out geofence. Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, 2018, 92: 137-149.

14 廖小罕, 黄耀欢, 徐晨晨. 面向无人机应用的低空空域资源研究探讨. 地理学报, 2021, 76(11): 2607-2620. Liao X H, Huang Y H, Xu C C. Views on the study of low-altitude airspace resources for UAV applications. Acta Geographica Sinica, 2021, 76(11): 2607-2620. (in Chinese)

15 路紫, 李志勇, 张志娈, 等. 空域学概论. 北京: 高等教育出版社, 2016. Lu Z, Li Z Y, Zhang Q L, et al. Introduction to Airspace Studies. Beijing: Higher Education Press, 2016. (in Chinese)

16 卜鹏楼. 低空经济、通航产业: 辽宁发展新动力. 辽宁经济, 2013, (8): 9-15. Bu P L. Low-altitude economy and civil aviation industry: A new driving force for Liaoning development. Liaoning Economy, 2013, (8): 9-15. (in Chinese)

17 覃睿, 李卫民, 靳军号, 等. 基于资源观的低空及低空经济. 中国民航大学学报, 2011, 29(4): 56-60. Qin R, Li W M, Jing J H, et al. Low altitude economy based on resource-based view. Journal of Civil Aviation University of China, 2011, 29(4): 56-60. (in Chinese)

18 覃睿. 再论低空经济：概念定义与构成解析. 中国民航大学学报, 2023, 41(6): 59-64.Qin R. Further discussion on low altitude economy: Concept definition and composition analysis. Journal of Civil Aviation University of China, 2023, 41(6): 59-64. (in Chinese)

19 晏磊, 廖小罕, 周成虎, 等. 中国无人机遥感技术突破与产业发展综述. 地球信息科学学报, 2019, 21(4): 476-495.Yan L, Liao X H, Zhou C H, et al. The impact of UAV remote sensing technology on the industrial development of China: A review. Journal of Geo-Information Science, 2019, 21(4): 476-495. (in Chinese)

20 樊邦奎, 李云, 张瑞雨. 浅析低空智联网与无人机产业应用. 地理科学进展, 2021, 40(9): 1441-1450.Fan B K, Li Y, Zhang R Y. Initial analysis of low-altitude internet of intelligences (IOI) and the applications of unmanned aerial vehicle industry. Progress in Geography, 2021, 40(9): 1441-1450. (in Chinese)

21 段昌淼. 民用无人驾驶航空试验区发展概况. 无人机, 2022, (6): 36-39.Duan C M. Overview of the development of civil unmanned aerial vehicle test zones. Drone, 2022, (6): 36-39. (in Chinese)

22 廖小罕, 徐晨晨, 叶虎平, 等. 无人机应用发展关键基础设施与低空公共航路网规划. 中国科学院院刊, 2022, 37(7): 977-988.Liao X H, Xu C C, Ye H P, et al. Critical infrastructures for developing UAVs’ applications and low-altitude public air-route network planning. Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2022, 37(7): 977-988. (in Chinese)

23 Deng T. Impacts of transport infrastructure on productivity and economic growth: Recent advances and research challenges. Transport Reviews, 2013, 33(6): 686-699.

24 林晓言, 陈有孝. 基础设施投资效果定量评价. 北京: 清华大学出版社, 北京交通大学出版社, 2005.Lin X Y, Chen Y X. Quantitative Evaluation of Infrastructure Investment Effectiveness. Beijing: Tsinghua University Press, Beijing Jiaotong University Press, 2005. (in Chinese)

25 Yu H T. A review of input-output models on multi-sectoral modelling of transportation-economic linkages. Transport Reviews, 2018, 38(5): 654-677.

26 中华人民共和国国家统计局. 2020年全国投入产出表. 北京: 中华人民共和国国家统计局, 2021.National Bureau of Statistics. 2020 National Input Output Table. Beijing: National Bureau of Statistics, 2021. (in Chinese)

27 中华人民共和国国家质量监督检验检疫总局, 中国国家标准化管理委员会. GB/T 4754-2017 国民经济行业分类. 北京: 中华人民共和国国家质量监督检验检疫总局, 中国国家标准化管理委员会, 2017. General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People’s Republic of China, National Standardization Administration. GB/T 4754-2017 Industrial classification of national economic activities. Beijing: General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People’s Republic of China, National Standardization Administration, 2017. (in Chinese)

28 吴利学. 产业结构、生产率与经济增长. 产业经济评论, 2021, (6): 14-30.Wu L X. Industrial structure, productivity and economic growth. Review of Industrial Economics, 2021, (6): 14-30. (in Chinese)

29 魏熙晔, 郭东杰. 生产率提升对就业的影响——挤出效应还是溢出效应. 当代财经, 2022, (4): 15-27.Wei X Y, Guo D J. The impact of productivity growth on employment: crowding out effect or spillover effect. Contemporary Finance & Economics, 2022, (4): 15-27. (in Chinese)

30 Autor D, Salomons A. Robocalypse now—Does productivity growth threaten employment?// Investment and Growth in Advanced Economie. Sintra: European Central Bank Annual Conference, 2017.

31 Jang D S, Ippolitoy C, Sankararamanz S, et al. Concepts of airspace structures and system analysis for UAS traffic flows for urban areas// Information System. Texas: AIAA SciTech Forum, 2017.

32 SESAR Joint Undertaking. U-space CONOPS 4th Edition. Brussels: SESAR Joint Undertaking, 2022.

33 EUROCONTROL, EASA. UAS ATM Integration: Operational Concept. Cologne: EUROCONTROL, EASA, 2018.

34 EASA. Introduction of a Regulatory Framework for the Operation of Drones. Cologne: EASA, 2022.

35 Polishchuk V, Sunil E, de Vries V, et al. Metropolis 2 D4.1: Concept Design Report. Brussels: SESAR Joint Undertaking, 2021.

36 Salleh M F B M, Chi W C, Wang Z K, et al. UAS for Urban Environments and Other Topics. Florida: AIAA Information Systems-AIAA Infotech, 2018.

37 Balakrishnan K, Polastre J, Mooberry J, et al. The Roadmap for the Safe Integration of Autonomous Aircraft. California: Airbus, 2018.

38 廖小罕, 徐晨晨, 岳焕印. 基于地理信息的无人机低空公共航路规划研究. 无人机, 2018, (2): 45-49.Liao X H, Xu C C, Yue H Y. Research on UAV low-altitude public air route planning based on geographic information. UAV, 201, 8(2): 45-49. (in Chinese)

39 Xu C C, Liao X H, Yang F. IEEE standard pioneered an IT-led interdisciplinary approach to structure low-altitude airspace for UAV operations. Science China Information Sciences, 2022, 65(10): 207201.

40 Xu C C, Liao X H, Ye H P, et al. Iterative construction of low-altitude UAV air route network in urban areas: Case planning and assessment. Journal of Geographical Sciences, 2020, 30(9): 1534-1552.

41 IEEE Communication Society. IEEE 1939.1TM-2021 IEEE1939.1 standard for a framework for structuring low altitude airspace for UAV operation. Beijing: IEEE Communication Society, 2021.

42 Li S, Zhang H H, Yi J, et al. A bi-level planning approach of logistics unmanned aerial vehicle route network. Aerospace Science and Technology, 2023, 141: 108572.

43 Quan Q, Li M X, Fu R. Sky highway design for dense traffic. IFAC-Papers OnLine, 2021, 54(2): 140-145.

44 赵嶷飞, 郑雨欣. 城市物流无人机飞行任务剖面构建与优化. 飞行力学, 2021, 39(3): 54-59. Zhao Y F, Zheng Y X. Construction and optimization of flight mission profiles for urban logistics drones. Flight Dynamics, 2021, 39(3): 54-59. (in Chinese)

45 徐晨晨, 叶虎平, 岳焕印, 等. 城镇化区域无人机低空航路网迭代构建的理论体系与技术路径. 地理学报, 2020, 75(5): 917-930. Xu C C, Ye H P, Yue H Y, et al. Iterative construction of UAV low-altitude air route network in an urbanized region: Theoretical system and technical roadmap. Acta Geographica Sinica, 2020, 75(5): 917-930. (in Chinese)

46 FAA. AC 150/5390-2C: Heliport Design. Washington, DC: FAA, 2012.

47 EASA. Vertiports: Prototype Technical Specifications for the Design of VFR Vertiports for Operation with Manned VTOL-Capable Aircraft Certified in the Enhanced Category. Cologne: EASA, 2022.

48 NASA. High Density Vertiplex Subproject. Washington DC: NASA, 2022.

49 Gipson L. Building the Infrastructure for Advanced Air Mobility. Washington, DC: NASA, 2022.

50 Tan J M, Ye H P, Xu C C, et al. SkyroadAR: An augmented reality system for UAVs’ low-altitude public air route visualization. Drones, 2023, 7(9): 587.

51 Rule T A. Airspace in an age of drones. Boston University Law Review, 2014, 95: 155-208.

52 U.S. Government Publishing Office. Keeping pace with innovation—Update on the safe integration of unmanned aircraft system into the airspace. Washington DC: U.S. Government Publishing Office, 2018.

53 中国民航局发展计划司. 民航空管收费行为规则. 北京: 中国民航局发展计划司, 2024. Development Planning Department of Civil Aviation Administration of China. Rules on Air Traffic Management Charges in Civil Aviation. Beijing: Development Planning Department of Civil Aviation Administration of China, 2024. (in Chinese)

Recommended Citation

LIAO, Xiaohan; XU, Chenchen; and YE, Huping (2024) "Benefits and challenges of constructing low-altitude air route network infrastructure for developing low-altitude economy," Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version): Vol. 39 : Iss. 11 , Article 15.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.16418/j.issn.1000-3045.20240614002
Available at: https://bulletinofcas.researchcommons.org/journal/vol39/iss11/15