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Elsevier

From Urban Air Mobility to the Low-Altitude Economy

Concepts, Confluence, and Challenges

  • 1st Edition - October 1, 2026
  • Latest edition
  • Editors: Xiaoqian Sun, Eike Stumpf, Sebastian Wandelt
  • Language: English

From Urban Air Mobility to the Low-Altitude Economy: Concepts, Confluence, and Challenges offers a rigorous overview of the emerging low-altitude economy, focusing on the scient… Read more

Description

From Urban Air Mobility to the Low-Altitude Economy: Concepts, Confluence, and Challenges offers a rigorous overview of the emerging low-altitude economy, focusing on the scientific, technological, and regulatory aspects of Urban Air Mobility (UAM) and electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The book begins with foundational concepts of UAM and the low-altitude economy and then covers integration strategies, safety, and emerging technologies. It then presents industry experiences and case studies on cargo, passenger transport, emergency services, environmental surveillance, military operations, and more. The final section discusses challenges in transitioning to the low-altitude economy, including technological, regulatory, economic aspects, and more.

This resource benefits aviation industry professionals, urban planners, and transportation engineers seeking to integrate eVTOL and UAM systems. Aerospace engineers and sustainability experts gain insights into technological innovations and environmental considerations. Academic researchers and graduate students in aerospace engineering, computer science, and data science will find comprehensive knowledge on the evolving urban air mobility landscape and its economic impacts.

Key features

  • Presents comprehensive analysis of technological and regulatory landscapes shaping the low-altitude economy, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the current state and future prospects of LAE
  • Includes case studies and real-world examples from leading industry experts, that offer practical insights into implementation and integration of UAM systems
  • Examines the economic, environmental, and social impacts of the low-altitude economy, equipping readers with the knowledge to assess the broader implications of this emerging sector
  • Combines theoretical frameworks with practical applications for urban air mobility integration

Readership

Aviation industry professionals; urban planners; transportation engineers; aerospace engineers; sustainability experts; academic researchers; graduate students in aerospace engineering, computer science, and data science

Table of contents

PART 1: Foundations of UAM and LAE

1. Review of urban air mobility

2. Infrastructure and operations

PART 2: Confluence of UAM and LAE

3. Introduction of low-altitude economy

4. Integration strategies

5. Safety and security

6. Emerging technologies and trends

PART 3: Industry experiences and case studies

7. Cargo and logistics

8. Passenger transportation

9. Emergency services

10. Environmental surveillance

11. Urban Integration

12. Military operations

13. Multi-modal aspects

PART 4: Challenges in the Transition to LAE

14. Technological and operational challenges

15. Regulatory and policy challenges

16. Economic and market challenges

17. Social and environmental challenges

Product details

  • Edition: 1
  • Latest edition
  • Published: October 1, 2026
  • Language: English

About the editors

XS

Xiaoqian Sun

Xiaoqian Sun is a professor at Beihang University. She has a PhD in airspace engineering. Her research interests are mostly in air transportation-related optimization as well as transport policy. Her research has been published in journals such as Transportation Research Part A/B/C/D/E, Journal of Transport Geography, Transport Policy, Journal of Air Transport Management, Networks and Spatial Economics, and Transportmetrica A/B. She is a Theodore von Kármán fellow of RWTH Aachen, a TU Dresden fellow, and a Vice President of the Air Transport Research Society. She is the Co-EIC of the Journal of the Air Transport Research Society, an Associate Editor for the Journal of Air Transport Management as well as for the IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems. She is on the editorial board of various transportation journals, such as Transportation Research Part D as well as Research in Transportation Business & Management.

Affiliations and expertise
Beihang University, Beijing, China

ES

Eike Stumpf

Eike Stumpf is Head of the Institute of Aerospace Systems at RWTH Aachen University. With a robust background in aerospace engineering, Professor Stumpf has made substantial contributions to the field, particularly in the areas of aircraft design, aerodynamics, and propulsion systems. His research focuses on the development of innovative aerospace technologies, including advanced materials and structural optimization for aircraft and spacecraft. His work is marked by a strong integration of theoretical research and practical applications, making him a respected figure in both academic and industrial circles. Additionally, Professor Stumpf collaborates closely with industry partners to drive technological advancements and foster innovation in the aerospace sector.

Affiliations and expertise
Head of the Institute of Aerospace Systems, RWTH Aachen University, Germany

SW

Sebastian Wandelt

Sebastian Wandelt is a professor at Beihang University. He has a PhD in computer science. His work is broadly on the design and evaluation of algorithms and data management techniques in transportation, with a focus the underlying computational challenges. In addition, he has an interest in the optimization of complex systems. The results of his research are published in leading transportation journals such as Transportation Science, Transportation Research Part A/B/C/D/E, European Journal of Operational Research, Computers & Operations Research, and IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems. He is an associate editor of Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice.

Affiliations and expertise
Professor, Beihang University, Beijing, China