MPC
Project Details

Title:	Autonomous Aircraft Logistics: Challenges and Opportunities
Principal Investigators:	Raj Bridgelall and Denver Tolliver
University:	North Dakota State University
Status:	Completed
Year:	2021
Grant #:	69A3551747108 (FAST Act)
Project #:	MPC-666
RH Display ID:	159535
Keywords:	autonomous vehicles, cargo aircraft, deployment, logistics, market penetration, policy making

Abstract

The rise of autonomous vehicles of all types has created a new landscape of autonomous logistics that is rather complex and filled with uncertainties. As carriers initiated partnerships with major retailers and restaurants to deliver groceries and food with autonomous road and sidewalk robotic vehicles, the global pandemic of 2019 has solidified and accelerated those trends. These developments resulted in a blossoming new field called autonomous logistics. This research focuses on the subfield of autonomous aircraft logistics. This proposal focuses on the subfield of autonomous aircraft cargo logistics (AACL) to directly contrast it with autonomous aircraft passenger logistics or flying taxis. AACL will potentially compete with trucks and other modes of ground transportation. The competition is likely to upend business models and change the landscape for logistics. The goal of this research is to understand the scope of AACL applications, prospects for adoption, deployment challenges, and the potential implications for planners and policymaking.

Project Deliverables

• [Final Report] Autonomous Aircraft: Challenges and Opportunities — MPC-23-506
  • View Research Brief

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