Assessing the resilience of multi-modal transportation networks with the integration of urban air mobility

Abstract

Low-altitude transportation offers innovative solutions to alleviate urban congestion while reshaping urban transportation structures. This shift is likely to impact the resilience of urban multi-modal transportation (UMT) networks, requiring new methods for effective assessment. This paper develops a constrained clustering model with neighborhood search, considering points of interest (POI) distribution, passenger flow and flight distance limit, to determine potential vertiport locations. Based on location selection results and existing public transportation structure, a multi-modal transportation network is constructed. Subsequently, percolation theory is employed to assess the UMT network resilience across various cascading failure scenarios. The results indicate that the integration of urban air mobility (UAM) can significantly enhance network connectivity by providing alternative pathways during emergencies. The findings of this study highlight the potential of UAM to strengthen UMT resilience, offering valuable insights for urban transportation design and management.