E-Drone

Given the ever-growing demand for products and services that in turn generate freight activity in our cities, there is a need to fundamentally investigate how mixed land-and-Un-crewed Air Vehicle (UAV) logistics fleets can be successfully integrated and managed to improve customer service, reduce energy demand and also address urban traffic congestion. The greatest barrier to the wider adoption of UAVs into logistics fleets is the current lack of integration of UAVs within civil airspace.

The research vision is to critically examine the energy reduction potential, using a case study and trials based around NHS patient diagnostic sample, pharmacy and blood transportation, of integrated logistics solutions involving UAVs operating in shared airspace and alongside traditional and sustainable last-mile delivery solutions (vans, cargo cycles, walking porters via micro-consolidation points).

Measurable objectives:

1) Investigate the collective transport and energy impacts of current 'business-as-usual' NHS patient diagnostic sample, pharmacy and blood transportation logistics across the Solent region.

2) Develop new simulation tools to quantify the energy consumption of UAVs and land logistics systems resulting from: i) potential new types of traffic regulation for shared airspace; ii) UAV collision and dynamic automated path re-planning stipulations; iii) conflict-resolution rules; iv) types of permitted coordination; v) the availability and positioning of ground logistics systems and infrastructure to effectively interact with and service UAVs.

3) Evaluate using the simulation tools and trials the impact on air space and energy use of the take-up of UAVs for medical logistics across the Solent region.

4) Develop fundamental new understandings of stakeholder concerns and the regulatory and governance needs associated with UAV interventions that realise energy benefits in logistics.