and webinars, state DOTs can organize joint training exercises. For example, partnering with the state police could lead to the development of standardized UAS response protocols for accident scenes or emergencies to provide seamless integration of UAS technology in critical incident response situations. In addition to law enforcement agencies, state DOTs could explore opportunities for collaboration with local transit and rail agencies. By coordinating efforts with these entities, state DOTs can address shared challenges such as infrastructure inspection, incident response, and public safety monitoring. Joint initiatives could involve the establishment of common operating procedures and the exchange of best practices in UAS deployment for inspection of transportation assets.

These outreach and coordination activities are not only good for information sharing and training exercises, but they also can be used to establish or bolster the necessary communication channels and identification of roles when it comes to emergency response. This collaborative approach can be established using the coordination framework and outreach strategies to assist all parties involved in understanding each other’s capabilities, resources, and procedures.

Letters of agreement (LOAs) between agencies can play a crucial role in formalizing and clarifying roles during emergency response and recovery efforts. These documents should be developed in advance and outline specific responsibilities, expectations, and resources that each agency will contribute during an emergency. LOAs should address key aspects such as communication protocols, chain of command, and resource-sharing mechanisms. Having these agreements in place before a crisis occurs minimizes confusion and streamlines decision-making processes, enabling a more efficient and effective response. Regular reviews and updates of LOAs are essential to reflect changes in personnel, procedures, or resources so the agreements remain relevant and actionable. UAS can be powerful tools when responding to large-scale emergencies, and state DOTs with robust UAS programs can provide skilled UAS pilots and equipment to assist with the response. Through these outreach efforts, state DOTs can enhance the resilience of transportation systems and contribute to more effective emergency response and recovery efforts.

UAS Public Engagement

As established earlier in this Guide, another key stakeholder is the public. Developing strategies for public engagement is another important aspect of a successful UAS program. One of the potentially easier strategies to implement is to have a public-facing webpage dedicated to sharing information about the UAS program and its impacts. A portion of the website can be dedicated to explaining how the state DOT uses UAS as a supplemental tool across various use cases and operations. A webpage is also a useful space to share the impacts of the internal use of UAS, such as increased safety, efficiencies, and cost savings. Often, the public is concerned that the state may use UAS to violate reasonable expectations of privacy. Education is the key to assuaging this concern: the more the public understands how the state DOT uses UAS and the information or data the agency collects via UAS, the less they will be concerned. Another portion of the webpage can highlight specific projects where UAS were used and provide additional details specific to that project or where UAS made a significant difference. For example, Arizona DOT dedicates a portion of its website to highlighting its UAS activities. The agency posts blog-style articles and pictures that describe how UAS are used on projects around Arizona. The Pennsylvania DOT also uses a webpage dedicated to educating the public about how the agency uses UAS, how the UAS were paid for, and what benefits the agency sees from the UAS across various use cases.

Another way state DOTs can conduct public outreach is to create engaging and informative events to showcase their UAS programs and foster public awareness and understanding. Hosting events that allow the public to see UAS up close provides individuals with an opportunity to witness the technology in action and gain a better understanding of its applications. Setting up a designated area where attendees can observe UAS demonstrations and interact with the

equipment with a hands-on component sparks interest and understanding, and it also allows the public to appreciate the practical aspects of UAS technology and how it can be used in things like surveying, infrastructure inspections, and emergency response. The MassDOT partners with a nonprofit organization to visit boys’ and girls’ clubs, schools, and other public areas to showcase UAS, autonomous robots, and other tools the agency uses. Alabama DOT’s UAS team does outreach in grade schools, middle schools, high schools, and colleges across their state and often coordinates with local law enforcement agencies that also use UAS as tools.

To enhance public engagement, state DOTs can organize town hall-style sessions during these events. These sessions should provide a platform for open dialogue between the public and state DOT representatives, enabling attendees to ask questions and express any concerns. By addressing concerns and sharing information about the program’s objectives, regulations, and safety measures, state DOTs can build trust and transparency with the community. Town hall-style discussions also provide an opportunity for the public to voice their opinions, offer suggestions, and actively participate in shaping the future of UAS implementation in their state.

The state DOT can partner with other agencies and academia to combine efforts when sponsoring a public event. Utah DOT participates in a regional advisory board that consists of members from industry and secondary and post-secondary academic institutions. Together, the advisory board works to host an annual event dedicated to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM); aviation; and UAS awareness. This event is open to the public and is advertised through various communications channels, including the local paper, radio, and news. The event has historically included educational elements such as workshops, presentations, and informational booths that explain how state DOTs and other companies are using UAS and other technologies. More than 1,500 people attend this free event each year.

By breaking down complex concepts into accessible information on the website and at events, the public can better appreciate the benefits and challenges associated with UAS technology in the context of transportation. Overall, these outreach efforts serve as a bridge between state DOTs and the public, fostering a collaborative and informed approach to the integration of UAS in transportation systems.

AAM Outreach

AAM serves multiple jurisdictions in any given region. As a result, all outreach by a state DOT would be external. Agency outreach to other agencies, as described in the “AAM Coordination” section in Chapter 5. This section focuses primarily on public and community outreach. These public AAM outreach efforts are presented through the lens of federal, state, local, and industry organizations.

Prior to exploring outreach efforts at these various levels, it is important to understand that the public is largely unfamiliar with AAM and the associated technologies, or what the adoption of these technologies may mean for their lives. Public outreach around AAM should include an educational component; however, it should also include a listening component. Two-way communication and mutual understanding with the public are key to the overall success of AAM adoption.

The following considerations on AAM education are adapted from Organ (2022). AAM education involves grasping what Advanced Air Mobility truly represents, what it does not entail, and the role it could play in society. In today’s landscape, much of this education includes acknowledging the numerous uncertainties and unresolved questions while still presenting AAM within the appropriate context. During an interview conducted for this project, a subject matter expert involved in a public-private partnership focused on developing a comprehensive AAM outreach strategy in one of the largest US cities remarked: “A lot of our work has been trying to undo what

has been published in the media about AAM being flying cars. The prospect of flying cars brings up a lot of immediate community concerns. So, what our work has been doing, is framing this back into aviation. These aircraft use aerodynamic principles and aviation infrastructure; while there are goals of AAM being a part of multimodal solutions, these aircraft will always be regulated to aviation safety standards.”

To effectively position AAM as a component of traditional aviation and compare it to the safety records of Federal Aviation Regulations Part 135 commuter or on-demand flights, it is essential for people to first have a foundational understanding of aviation. Organizations often use the term “flying cars” to describe AAM because it is a relatable concept. However, to present AAM accurately, organizations should start by educating the public about the history of aviation, the certification and safety processes, and the impact of traditional aviation. Once people have a fundamental grasp of the air transportation sector and can distinguish what AAM is and is not, they can better comprehend the potential scope and significance of this emerging industry.

Public Education about AAM

Educating the public about AAM will eventually be necessary, but a top-down approach to public engagement must be carefully timed. State and city DOTs, urban planners, and metropolitan planning organizations should be the first to receive AAM education. As these groups familiarize themselves with AAM and begin integrating it into their planning efforts, they can, in turn, educate state and local policymakers. Once state and local jurisdictions are prepared to advance AAM integration, the process will naturally lead to different levels of public engagement. At that point, the key stakeholders who were initially educated about AAM can step into the role of educators.

It is important for state and local DOTs to access the best resources available for their initial AAM education. Securing funding to bring on an AAM subject matter expert, either as a consultant or a full-time team member, can support these educational efforts. Departments might also invest in on-site or off-site training courses for their personnel. Alongside expert guidance, departments can collaborate with various organizations that can play crucial roles in deepening their understanding of AAM.

Sources of Information about AAM

As the AAM industry expands and more companies go public, media coverage is expected to increase. While media outlets can be useful sources of information, they may sometimes lack thorough vetting or carry a political bias. Fortunately, there are other avenues available to gain a comprehensive understanding of AAM. The FAA and NASA continue to release resources that shed light on the regulatory landscape and provide a national perspective on these emerging technologies. OEMs share details about their aircraft and often publish surveys, studies, and market goals to serve the public effectively.

Researchers at universities worldwide are actively studying various AAM components, and the academic community offers valuable insights. Additionally, companies of all sizes provide written materials and consulting services from knowledgeable subject matter experts. Organizations like Flight Crowd in the United Kingdom, the Community Air Mobility Initiative in the United States, and the CAAM consortium in Canada play crucial roles in facilitating collaboration among experts, industry, and communities. These groups also provide a range of resources to help people better understand AAM.

Emerging Approaches to AAM Education

Both those aiming to learn about AAM and those facilitating this education should prioritize respecting and acknowledging the human aspect of the process. Effective AAM outreach at any

level requires listening with empathy to understand people’s concerns. Genuine worries exist on all sides of the AAM debate, and it is essential for everyone involved to actively listen and consider various perspectives. True understanding emerges when there is genuine listening and a willingness to learn from each other. For instance, aviation planners can gain insights from surface transportation planners, and the learning should be mutual.

Another best practice is to start early and engage people at their current level of understanding, gradually providing them with digestible information. AAM education should unfold in a step-by-step manner, offering small, manageable pieces of information that lead to more meaningful discussions and deeper understanding over time. Educators should leverage the latest technology, tools, and data to clearly convey the complexities of AAM. Developing a well-thought-out educational strategy that involves the right stakeholders at the most effective times is also crucial. Collaborating with experts from regulatory bodies and industry groups and using reliable resources can significantly enhance educational initiatives.

Federal AAM Outreach Efforts

Federal outreach regarding AAM has largely been from the FAA and NASA. Outreach and coordination efforts have occurred between the FAA and other national organizations, such as NASA and the US Air Force, and internationally through the National Aviation Authorities Network (United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand) and directly with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (FAA 2022c). The FAA also participates in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) AAM Study Group. In addition to these strategic partnerships, the FAA has also published various documents, hosted webinars, and maintains a website with resources and information, which you can visit here: https://www.faa.gov/air-taxis/.

In June 2020, the FAA published its inaugural version of the UAM Concept of Operations (ConOps), which was created in conjunction with NASA and industry partners. The document provides the initial vision for the implementation of AAM technologies, with a focus on urban operations, increased autonomy, and frequency of operations across urban and non-urban environments. The document made it clear that the ConOps would evolve and change as the AAM industry progressed and that it would be a phased approach using a “crawl, walk, run” method (FAA 2020b).

In September 2022, the FAA published Engineering Brief 105: Vertiport Design (Bassey 2022). This document provides interim guidance to airports, operators, and infrastructure developers regarding vertiport design standards. These standards will need to be followed until performance-based vertiport design standards are developed at a later time (Bassey 2022).

In April 2023, the UAM ConOps v2.0 was released (FAA 2023f), an update to the original version. The document includes updates based on industry and other agency feedback that was provided following the publication of version 1.0 of the UAM ConOps in 2020 (FAA 2020b). The document focuses on a pathway from a near-term implementation of AAM to an advanced future state of high-density urban operations (FAA 2023f).

In July 2023, the FAA published the AAM Implementation Plan: Near-Term (Innovate28) Focus with an Eye on the Future of AAM. This document outlines the FAA’s efforts to date around AAM and provides a short-term vision of how the FAA will work with one or more OEMs to operate between multiple origins and destinations at one or more locations in the United States by 2028. The document largely focuses on how initial piloted AAM operations will use the existing air transportation system and be treated like traditional aircraft. The document emphasizes that for the AAM industry to reach its full potential, it needs to earn the full support of the public. The document highlights the importance of community engagement early in the process and maintaining that engagement consistently from the early stages forward to mature operations (FAA 2023a).

people can come to learn more about AAM and provide a forum to elicit feedback. One example is the test flights done by Merlin in Alaska in 2023. Merlin is a company that has developed autonomy kits for legacy fixed-wing aircraft. The FAA awarded Merlin a $1 million grant to perform tests of Merlin’s autonomous Cessna 208B Grand Caravan. Merlin partnered with the University of Alaska Fairbanks UAS Test Site and Everts Air Cargo to perform 25 test flights, resulting in 60 hours of autonomous flight time along three major cargo routes into five different communities (Weitering 2023). The Alaska DOT assisted with these efforts and worked with Merlin on significant community outreach in each of the five affected communities prior to the tests and throughout the tests. Engaging with community members for months prior to the event provided the public with an opportunity to learn about the technology and express their concerns. By the time the tests were conducted, these communities had seen, touched, and come to understand the technology and how it could benefit them.

State DOTs can work with industry to show communities the technology—a hands-on experience can be helpful to the public. In addition to these hands-on experiences, it is important to emphasize how the technology can benefit the public, and this message should always be balanced with understanding community needs and concerns.

Two important keys to successful outreach identified in Organ’s study on developing a framework for community integration of AAM are transparency and trust (2022). Transparency involves openly and honestly sharing thoughts and opinions, and this principle has various applications. AAM educators should avoid making exaggerated claims about AAM capabilities, instead relying on data-driven information. Likewise, OEMs must adhere to this standard, ensuring that all advertised benefits are supported by realistic and accurate data.

Although these emerging technologies promise many advantages, it is essential for all stakeholders to not only highlight the positive aspects but also be upfront about potential drawbacks. For instance, aircraft noise has been a longstanding issue in aviation. While new eVTOL aircraft are considerably quieter, and initial data on noise levels is encouraging, there is still some level of noise involved. Messaging should not claim that these aircraft are completely silent or imperceptible.

In the effort to gain public support, companies or organizations might be tempted to withhold certain information or emphasize only the benefits of AAM. However, this approach does not foster genuine goodwill. Eventually, challenging issues will emerge, potentially undoing any progress made in earning trust. It is crucial for stakeholders to acknowledge possible downsides and be fully transparent throughout the process. Honesty and openness are fundamental to the long-term integration and success of AAM.

Trust and transparency are interconnected elements essential for success. Building public trust requires a gradual, consistent effort, with a strong emphasis on the human element discussed earlier. The public wants their concerns to be heard, acknowledged, and addressed. Communities seek to have a voice in shaping how AAM will operate in their local areas and affect their daily lives.

It is important for state DOTs to lead by example and conduct all AAM outreach, but especially public outreach, with an emphasis on transparency and trust. Additional keys to success and a more detailed look at Community Engagement Strategies for AAM are presented in Thompson et al. (2024).

Local AAM Engagement

At the local level, cities and other local transportation agencies can participate in AAM outreach. It may be challenging for cities to have the budget or workforce to support stand-alone outreach efforts; it is often beneficial for local entities to partner with industry and state agencies

to combine efforts. There are multiple examples of cities partnering with industry and federal agencies. The city of Miami has signed a memorandum of understanding with many OEMs with the intent to create a comprehensive AAM engagement strategy (Vertical Flight Society 2022). The City of Arlington in Texas has partnered with an aircraft manufacturer to develop eVTOL operations at the city airport and in the surrounding region (Office of Communications, City of Arlington, Texas 2023). The City of Orlando is the only city to have signed a Space Act Agreement to work with NASA (Gipson 2021) and is also a founding member of the World Economic Forum’s Advanced and Urban Aerial Mobility Cities and Regions Coalitions (Coulon 2023).

The City of Los Angeles has done extensive outreach to understand community concerns and to communicate the city’s AAM goals and vision to a large pool of external stakeholders. The AAM Partnership that Los Angeles established conducted outreach to ten city departments and 120 external organizations. The city’s planning efforts for AAM have been founded on five main principles: community-first approach, equity, diversity, transportation integration, and acknowledgment of the main social issues within the city. To learn more about Los Angeles’s efforts, lessons learned, and best practices concerning AAM outreach at a local level, refer to Integrating Advanced Air Mobility: A Primer for Cities (Urban Movement Labs 2022).

Two additional tools that can assist local agencies with AAM engagement are:

• ACRP Research Report 261: Advanced Air Mobility and Community Outreach: A Primer for Successful Stakeholder Engagement (Thompson et al. 2024).
• PAS Report 606: Planning for Advanced Air Mobility (American Planning Association 2024).

Industry AAM Outreach

The AAM industry is engaged in various outreach efforts, especially in their anticipated launch markets. The best thing the industry can do regarding outreach is to continue to partner with stakeholders at the federal, state, and local levels. The industry can combine efforts for internal and external outreach activities at these various levels. The industry should truly seek to listen and understand the concerns of the communities they seek to serve, participate in true public engagement, and not try to force public acceptance.