Planning aerial drone infrastructures: a multi-criteria analysis approach to identify suitable areas for vertiports and corridors

This dissertation addresses the emerging challenge of integrating drones into civil airspace, with a particular focus on the planning of infrastructures such as vertiports and aerial corridors. Within the broader context of the Digital European Sky and the implementation of U-space, the research explores how geospatial analysis and multi-criteria decision-making (MCA) can support infrastructure placement strategies. Building upon regulatory frameworks developed by EASA and technological advancements promoted through SESAR initiatives, this study proposes a spatial methodology to assess the suitability of locations for vertiports and corridors. The approach considers a wide range of criteria including drone performance, safety constraints, regulatory limitations, environmental factors, and social acceptance. The analysis is implemented through a GIS-based framework, incorporating urban and extra-urban case studies. By generating detailed suitability maps, the research identifies the most promising zones for infrastructure development, while also highlighting limitations due to regulatory, environmental, or technical constraints. Additionally, positioning and connectivity coverage analyses using 4G and 5G mobile antennas were conducted to assess the spatial quality of drone operations. The results contribute to a more informed and sustainable integration of Urban Air Mobility into existing spatial and transport planning practices. The methodology developed can serve as a reference for public administrations, planners, and industry stakeholders involved in the design of drone-based transport systems. This dissertation addresses the emerging challenge of integrating drones into civil airspace, with a particular focus on the planning of infrastructures such as vertiports and aerial corridors. Within the broader context of the Digital European Sky and the implementation of U-space, the research explores how geospatial analysis and multi-criteria decision-making (MCA) can support infrastructure placement strategies. Building upon regulatory frameworks developed by EASA and technological advancements promoted through SESAR initiatives, this study proposes a spatial methodology to assess the suitability of locations for vertiports and corridors. The approach considers a wide range of criteria including drone performance, safety constraints, regulatory limitations, environmental factors, and social acceptance. The analysis is implemented through a GIS-based framework, incorporating urban and extra-urban case studies. By generating detailed suitability maps, the research identifies the most promising zones for infrastructure development, while also highlighting limitations due to regulatory, environmental, or technical constraints. Additionally, positioning and connectivity coverage analyses using 4G and 5G mobile antennas were conducted to assess the spatial quality of drone operations. The results contribute to a more informed and sustainable integration of Urban Air Mobility into existing spatial and transport planning practices. The methodology developed can serve as a reference for public administrations, planners, and industry stakeholders involved in the design of drone-based transport systems.