Modeling the Impacts of Regulations and Safe Constraint on UAVs Costs and Emissions

Details

• Creators:
  Figliozzi, Miguel
• Corporate Creators:
  Florida Atlantic University. Freight Mobility Research Institute ; Portland State University
• Corporate Contributors:
  United States. Department of Transportation. University Transportation Centers (UTC) Program ; United States. Department of Transportation. Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  Autonomous Vehicles Costs Drones Economic Impacts Electronic Commerce Unmanned Analysis Vehicles Environmental Impacts Freight Traffic Freight Vehicles Life Cycle Costing Logistics Mathematical Models Pollutants Regulations Safety Sustainable Transportation Weather Conditions

  More +
• Publication/ Report Number:
  FMRI-Y2R6- 18
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States
• Edition:
  Final Report
• Corporate Publisher:
  Freight Mobility Research Institute. Florida Atlantic University
• Abstract:
  Growing e-commerce volumes and consumer expectations of free and faster shipping are pushing the adoption of new delivery vehicles. New driverless air and ground vehicles are being launched and tested to deliver products or services by traditional package delivery companies or to support innovative ideas in retail, groceries, and healthcare. The number of drones needed when there is demand uncertainty is highly dependent on charge times, use of battery swapping, and population in the service area. Additional consideration should also be given to potential mechanical failures and maintenance schedules. It is important to note that failures due to extreme weather conditions cannot be addressed by simply having more available drones. Extreme weather conditions, which will result in a failed delivery for one drone, will result in a failed delivery for any other drone because drones cannot operate under extreme weather conditions. Wind is a key constraint for drone deliveries. Successful drone deliveries are highly influenced by wind speeds, wind direction, and precipitation rates; however, the ambient temperature may mostly be ignored for short delivery distances. Another important aspect is the sustainability of drone deliveries. In terms of energy and emissions efficiency there is no vehicle type that dominates across the board. Drones are more efficient in time constrained and low-density delivery scenarios. Road autonomous delivery robots (RADRs) are more efficient than E-vans when delivering to relatively low number of customers. New air and ground autonomous vehicle types may reduce carbon emissions significantly but they may not necessarily reduce on-road travel. For some autonomous vehicles the reduction of on-road travel is also accompanied by additional travel on sidewalks (SADRs) or air travel (drones). In summary, drones or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) can significantly improve the reliability of time-sensitive deliveries in urban and rural areas as well as reducing carbon emissions. Policy makers and regulators should seriously consider their benefits as well as potential safety risks related to malfunction or mid-air collisions.
• Format:
  PDF
• Funding:
  69A3551747120
• Collection(s):
  University Transportation Centers Autonomous Vehicles
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:f4b3841f40218fb36ca4db75ece4b8ab197ab6667301c8403da03475eef0c6b818b92c835b61efa7656253c5ce1bb6c74078bb7d51a607ebd05288c93bbe555d
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/79808/dot_79808_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.82 MB ]