Volume 26 Issue 3
Mar.  2026
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CHANG Xin, TANG Yao, TANG Xin-min, GAO Jian-shu, YAO Zhi-hong. Throughput envelopment analysis of urban low-altitude vertiports based on multi-commodity flow model[J]. Journal of Traffic and Transportation Engineering, 2026, 26(3): 106-117. doi: 10.19818/j.cnki.1671-1637.2026.087
Citation: CHANG Xin, TANG Yao, TANG Xin-min, GAO Jian-shu, YAO Zhi-hong. Throughput envelopment analysis of urban low-altitude vertiports based on multi-commodity flow model[J]. Journal of Traffic and Transportation Engineering, 2026, 26(3): 106-117. doi: 10.19818/j.cnki.1671-1637.2026.087
shu

Throughput envelopment analysis of urban low-altitude vertiports based on multi-commodity flow model

doi: 10.19818/j.cnki.1671-1637.2026.087
  • 1.

    School of Transportation Science and Engineering, Civil Aviation University of China, Tianjin 300300, China

  • 2.

    Key Laboratory of Technology and Equipment of Tianjin Urban Air Transportation System, Civil Aviation University of China, Tianjin 300300, China

  • 3.

    School of Transportation and Logistics, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 611756, Sichuan, China

Funds:

Tianjin Science and Technology Plan Program 25JCLQJC00080

More Information
  • Corresponding author: TANG Xin-min, professor, PhD, E-mail: xmtang@cauc.edu.cn
  • Received Date: 2025-07-14
  • Accepted Date: 2025-11-27
  • Rev Recd Date: 2025-10-15
  • Publish Date: 2026-03-28
    Abstract
  • To explore the takeoff and landing mode selection and influencing factors for throughput of urban low-altitude vertiports, a vertiport multi-commodity flow model was constructed. The impact of the number of touchdown and lift-off facilities (TLOF) and the number of boarding gates on the throughput of vertiports was systematically analyzed. The quantitative calculation of facility utilization rate and the generation of surface throughput envelope map were performed. On this basis, the optimal quantity configuration of support facilities was revealed. The performance differences under different takeoff and landing modes were compared to provide a scientific basis for optimizing the facility configuration of vertiports. The utilization efficiency of surface space was improved and the intensive design and operation of vertiports were achieved. The research results show that the reasonable range of the number of boarding gates in a single TLOF vertiport is 4 - 5. At this time, the utilization of TLOF is 92% and 100%, respectively. The utilization of boarding gates is 55% and 57%, respectively. The waiting rate of boarding gates is 7% and 12%, respectively. Compared with 4 boarding gates, 5 boarding gates provide higher utilization of facilities, but lead to significant departure queues. The independent takeoff and landing mode of multiple TLOF vertiports has the most significant improvement on the surface throughput, which is 57% and 135% higher than that of the single takeoff and landing mode among 2 - 3 TLOF vertiports considered. The influence of TLOF number on throughput is limited under the single takeoff and landing mode. The parallel takeoff and landing mode demonstrates the same throughput growth and maximum unbalanced approach growth as the independent takeoff and landing mode. However, the envelope area of the former is smaller than that of the latter. The research results can provide theoretical and methodological support for calculating the throughput of urban air traffic vertiports, designing infrastructure schemes, and making operational control decisions, thus promoting the standardized development of low-altitude infrastructure construction.

     

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