Overview
Airwayz, in collaboration with the Port of Rotterdam, is at the forefront of integrating U-Space and Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) systems within the port. This initiative is designed to manage the increasing traffic of autonomous and uncrewed assets in one of the world’s busiest ports. By focusing on key infrastructural points, this project aims to establish a clear governance model, ensuring safe and efficient operations while minimizing risk.
With 57 drone operators operating a large number of drones as well as 9 heliports in and around the seaport.
Challenges
- Dense Urban Environment: Managing drone traffic in a dense urban area with numerous obstacles and high levels of activity.
- Busy Transport Hubs: Coordinating drone operations around one of Europe’s busiest ports.
- Safety and Efficiency: Ensuring the safety and efficiency of drone operations in complex airspace with multiple airspace users and ground-based activities.
- Regulatory Compliance: Meeting stringent regulatory requirements and establishing a governance model for autonomous traffic management.
Solutions
1. Comprehensive U-Space and UTM Integration
Airwayz’s advanced platform integrates U-Space and UTM systems seamlessly with the Port of Rotterdam’s Harbor Master (AIS) along with different sensors and drone-detection systems, ADS-B for detection of manned aviation and many others, to build a comprehensive aerial picture. This integration supports real-time tracking, flight planning, and conflict resolution, ensuring safe and efficient drone operations across all environments.
In the upcoming future, this project will be expanded to the North-Sea to serve ships on anchorage, serve off-shore facilities as well as expand to the East and North operating under the outer ring of Rotterdam-Hague CTR.
2. Multi-Operator Support
The platform supports over 57 drone operators, providing both API integration and a user-friendly WebApp interface. This flexibility allows operators to manage their flights efficiently, accommodating the diverse needs of different stakeholders.
3. Advanced Conflict Resolution
Airwayz prioritizes safety with advanced conflict detection and resolution capabilities. The platform successfully manages and mitigates potential conflicts, ensuring secure operations even in high-density airspace.
4. Regulatory Collaboration
Collaboration with regulatory bodies, such as the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), ensures that the platform meets stringent industry standards. Insights from these collaborations help refine the system and enhance its capabilities.
Achievements
- Integration of Key Systems: The platform integrates with various critical systems, including AIS, radar, ADS-B for manned aviation, and drone-detection systems, facilitating comprehensive airspace management.
- Enhanced Safety and Compliance: Nearly 10% of potential conflicts were resolved, ensuring safe operations near critical infrastructure and compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Industry Recognition: The rapid growth and success of our U-Space project have been highlighted in a feature by Dronewatch Magazine, underscoring Airwayz’ leadership and innovation in drone management.
Benefits
- Enhanced Safety: The integration of U-Space and UTM systems ensures the highest safety standards for drone operations in complex airspace.
- Operational Efficiency: The platform’s ability to handle multiple operators and high traffic volumes improves overall efficiency.
- Regulatory Compliance: Collaboration with EASA and other regulatory bodies ensures that the platform meets and exceeds industry standards.
- Scalable Solutions: The success in Rotterdam demonstrates the scalability of Airwayz’ platform, making it applicable to other high-density and complex airspaces.
Conclusion
The integration of U-Space and UTM systems in Rotterdam is a testament to Airwayz’ commitment to innovation and excellence in drone management. By addressing the practical challenges of coordinating operations in dense urban areas and busy transport hubs, Airwayz is setting a new standard for the future of Urban Air Mobility.For more information about our solutions and how we can help your operations, visit https://www.droneportrotterdam.com/ .
