Design and implementation of a Catalan vertiport network and feasability study as an addition to the TMB public transport network
This project explores the conceptualization, design, and feasibility of a pioneering vertiport network across Catalonia, envisioned as a complementary addition to the existing Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) public transport infrastructure. The aim is to integrate Electric Vertical Take-...
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| Tipo de recurso: | tesis de maestría |
| Fecha de publicación: | 2025 |
| País: | España |
| Institución: | Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) |
| Repositorio: | UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC |
| Idioma: | inglés |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/457411 |
| Acceso en línea: | https://hdl.handle.net/2117/457411 |
| Access Level: | acceso abierto |
| Palabra clave: | Heliports -- Design and construction Local transit -- Catalonia eVTOL Vertiport Airport Urban air mobility Heliports -- Disseny i construcció Transport públic -- Catalunya Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Aeronàutica i espai::Aeroports Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Economia i organització d'empreses::Direcció d'operacions |
| Sumario: | This project explores the conceptualization, design, and feasibility of a pioneering vertiport network across Catalonia, envisioned as a complementary addition to the existing Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) public transport infrastructure. The aim is to integrate Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft into the urban and regional mobility landscape, offering a sustainable, efficient, and futureoriented transport solution capable of addressing critical challenges such as traffic congestion, air pollution, and limited connectivity in peripheral and underserved areas. Through a comprehensive methodology that includes demand analysis, air route design, technical layout planning, economic modelling, and environmental impact assessment, the study proposes an integrated vertiport network with strategic hubs, notably a central vertiport located at Barcelona-El Prat Airport. This vertiport is designed in detail following the standards and recommendations of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), ensuring its compatibility with both current and future aviation operations. The project also includes a full feasibility study covering financial investment, operational costs, expected revenues, and return on investment. The economic analysis demonstrates that, although the implementation requires a considerable initial capital expenditure, the system is expected to be profitable within a few years of operation, with robust projections for passenger adoption and growth. Additionally, the study evaluates the social and environmental benefits of the network, particularly its potential to reduce carbon emissions and urban noise pollution compared to road-based transport alternatives. Overall, the findings support the deployment of a Catalan vertiport network as a transformative solution for regional mobility. The project provides a replicable model for other urban areas seeking to incorporate advanced aerial mobility into existing transport frameworks and aligns with broader smart city initiatives and sustainability objectives. |
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