Scaling advanced air mobility through underused assets : A case study of an air-rail-air network

Abstract

Advanced air mobility (AAM) holds a significant promise for transforming regional transport by enabling the greener and more efficient movement of both passengers and cargo. Its successful implementation faces distinct challenges, however, particularly concerning the required ground infrastructure to support these innovative technologies. A pressing question thus arises: where should AAM services be successfully launched? In the US, numerous general aviation airports operate far below their capacity, while major hubs experience escalating congestion and infrastructure limitations. This issue is particularly pronounced in the Northeast, where air traffic is concentrated in a few major airports, leaving many regional facilities and multimodal hubs underutilised. In Western Europe, there is a strategic focus on enhancing air-to-rail connections to develop integrated, sustainable transport networks. Although this approach has not yet gained significant traction in the US, it could be crucial for harnessing the full potential of AAM and improving the synergy between various modes of transport. This paper discusses the preliminary findings of an ongoing research project in Central Massachusetts. The objective is to conceptually illustrate that integrating AAM within an air–rail–air network provides a scalable and environmentally sustainable approach to enhance accessibility, mitigate congestion and improve connectivity for communities that have been historically underserved by conventional air and ground transport systems. This article is also included in The Business & Management Collection which can be accessed at https://hstalks.com/business/.