Ohio Publishes Nation’s First Advanced Air Mobility Framework

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Department of Transportation has released the nation’s first advanced air mobility framework through DriveOhio, the department’s smart mobility division. This framework will support, and position Ohio for, anticipated advanced aviation growth throughout the state.

“Ohio is a leader in the aviation industry; talented Ohioans brought flight to the world and sent mankind forward in space. My administration is focused on the 21st-century economy, and advanced air mobility is an important industry for Ohio’s growth,” said Gov. Mike DeWine.

Advanced air mobility uses next-generation technologies to move people and cargo between places not usually served by surface transportation or existing aviation. Common technologies include electric propulsion, short and vertical takeoff/landing techniques, using advanced materials, and the ability to remotely or autonomously pilot aircraft. Ohio intends to employ advanced air mobility for the safe, efficient, and equitable transportation of people and goods throughout the state.

Advanced air mobility increases modality options, improves transportation resiliency and efficiency, and increases safety as newer aircraft are designed with redundancy in mind.

Ohio’s advanced air mobility framework addresses the existing advanced aviation ecosystem, Ohio specific activities, route planning considerations, recommendations for establishing vertiports, and provides a strategic map for Ohio to support this emerging industry.

“Across industries, Ohio is thriving in highly competitive global markets, notably in cutting-edge aerospace technologies,” said Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, director of InnovateOhio. “Not only does advanced air mobility have huge potential to improve the quality of life for Ohioans but supporting its growth can position us as a leader in an incredibly dynamic and innovative sector of the economy, helping us compete and win on the world stage.”

Three use cases that have the potential to drive transportation efficiency and support a robust new aerospace industry in the State of Ohio are:

• Cargo / Freight Delivery: Transportation of heavy cargo, freight, small packages, and on-demand commerce from or between airports, distribution centers, manufacturers, and retailers to consumers. Industries such as logistics transportation and e-commerce can realize significant efficiencies by leveraging advanced aircraft.
• Regional Air Mobility: Regularly scheduled or on-demand transportation between cities, more than 50–75 miles apart. Numerous studies found that going by air using advanced aviation for short intra-regional trips (from one city center to another nearby city center, or from city center to rural area) can save time.
• Emergency Services: Advanced air mobility vehicles can facilitate an innovative medical services transportation system, including emergency medical evacuations, hospital-to-hospital patient and equipment transportation, organ delivery, and search-and-rescue operations.

The Ohio advanced air mobility framework is the latest success in a series of major policy and project wins the DriveOhio team has produced and is timed to support the National Advanced Air Mobility Forum being held on August 22-23, 2022 in Springfield, Ohio. This two-day event will feature presentations and panel discussions from government, defense, and industry leaders, networking opportunities, vendor booths, and flight demonstrations.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.