Urban low-altitude traffic system architecture construction method considering user demands and industry applications

Abstract

The invention discloses an urban low-altitude traffic system architecture construction method considering user demands and industry applications, and relates to the technical field of low-altitude traffic. Comprising the following steps that definition of participants is determined, an urban low-altitude traffic ecological system is constructed, and the participants comprise technology research and development, scene application, commercial users, a supervisor organization and auxiliary supports; determining demands of participants, including competent department demands, operating enterprise demands and public customer demands; and core production supply elements are determined based on the urban low-altitude traffic ecological system and participating subject demands, and then the urban low-altitude traffic system is constructed. The intelligent level and operation efficiency of urban traffic transportation can be improved and developed, and technical support is provided for innovative application of low-altitude economy in the fields of logistics, urban traffic and the like.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of low-altitude transportation technology, and in particular to a method for constructing an urban low-altitude transportation system architecture that takes into account user needs and industry applications. Background Technology

[0002] As the population of major cities worldwide continues to increase, urban ground transportation infrastructure is gradually reaching saturation. Existing urban transportation models are struggling to cope with ever-increasing transportation demands, leading to increasingly severe urban traffic congestion that is impacting urban operational efficiency, convenience of life, and environmental protection. The low-altitude economy, as a strategic emerging industry, boasts high technological content and a concentration of innovative elements. Urban low-altitude transportation systems are characterized by long industrial chains, complex application scenarios, diverse user groups, and involvement of multiple departments and sectors. Empowered by information and digital management technologies, it integrates with more economic and social activities, forming a highly dynamic and creative comprehensive economic model that accommodates and promotes coordinated development across multiple fields. Low-altitude production and service methods supported by drones, flying cars, and eVTOL exhibit significant high-tech, high-efficiency, and high-quality characteristics, with extremely broad development prospects. With the rapid development of the low-altitude economy and the rise of new low-altitude aircraft such as drones and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, urban low-altitude transportation is gradually becoming a new mode of transportation organization. This model combines my country's airspace utilization characteristics with the technologies of my country's intelligent electric vehicles and drone industries to form a road-air coordinated, safe, and efficient transportation mode.

[0003] Low-altitude airspace is an underdeveloped natural resource with a higher dimension and richer industrial and application prospects than ground transportation. With the development of flying cars and eVTOL technology, the concept of urban low-altitude application scenarios is emerging. Against this backdrop, urban low-altitude transportation has become an important component of a comprehensive three-dimensional transportation system.

[0004] The booming development of urban low-altitude transportation can not only significantly improve transportation efficiency, alleviate traffic congestion, and optimize urban spatial layout, but also spur new economic growth. Therefore, providing a method for constructing an urban low-altitude transportation system architecture that considers user needs and industry applications, ensuring sound top-level design, streamlining the regulatory system, and removing institutional obstacles, is of significant practical importance in creating a favorable environment for the comprehensive innovative application and high-quality development of urban low-altitude transportation in the transportation sector. Thus, providing a method for constructing an urban low-altitude transportation system architecture that considers user needs and industry applications to address the difficulties of existing technologies is a problem that urgently needs to be solved by those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, the present invention provides a method for constructing an urban low-altitude transportation system architecture that takes into account user needs and industry applications. This method can improve the intelligence level and operational efficiency of urban transportation development and provide technical support for promoting the innovative application of the low-altitude economy in logistics, urban transportation and other fields.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: A method for constructing an urban low-altitude transportation system architecture that considers user needs and industry applications includes the following steps: Define the participating entities and construct an urban low-altitude transportation ecosystem. The participating entities include technology research and development, scenario application, commercial users, competent authorities, and auxiliary support. Identify the needs of the participating entities, including the needs of the competent authorities, the needs of the operating companies, and the needs of the public. Based on the urban low-altitude transportation ecosystem and the needs of participating entities, the core production and supply factors are determined, and then the urban low-altitude transportation system is constructed.

[0007] Optionally, technology research and development, as a producer in the urban low-altitude transportation ecosystem, is used for the research and development of technology systems and the overall integration and production of eVTOL aircraft, while also carrying out innovative optimization of the eVTOL aircraft airframe, battery, motor and flight control. The scenario application party is both a producer and a consumer. As a producer, it provides services and operation management for downstream commercial users in different application scenarios; as a consumer, it purchases aircraft and its components from upstream manufacturers. Commercial users are consumers in the urban low-altitude transportation ecosystem, and they purchase urban low-altitude transportation services from service providers and platforms in a market environment. The competent authority acts as a catalyst in the urban low-altitude transportation ecosystem, responsible for implementing overall strategic planning, industrial policies, and full-process supervision. Support specialized agencies that assist in supporting scientific and technological innovation activities and promoting the industrialization of scientific and technological achievements.

[0008] Optionally, technology research and development, scenario applications, and commercial users constitute the entire urban low-altitude transportation industry chain, forming a system structure of "technology-application-commerce". Scenario application providers supply products and services to commercial users based on their scenario-based needs, while the competent authorities formulate and supervise the entire process of urban low-altitude transportation industry.

[0009] Optionally, operating companies include those involved in the construction, operation, organization, management, service provision, cooperative marketing, and model promotion of urban low-altitude transportation services. Public customer needs include rapid commuting for personnel, efficient delivery of goods, autonomous safety inspection, traffic status monitoring, aerial sightseeing for tourists, and emergency rescue.

[0010] Optional, core production supply elements include autonomous aircraft, urban aviation operators, digital low-altitude airspace, unmanned air traffic management systems, and smart infrastructure.

[0011] Optionally, the urban low-altitude transportation system architecture includes an infrastructure layer, an information layer, a technical support layer, an application layer, and a user layer; The infrastructure layer serves as the physical carrier for system operation, supporting the reliable operation of the urban low-altitude transportation network. As the information hub of the urban low-altitude transportation system, the data layer adopts an edge-cloud collaborative computing architecture to integrate, process, and intelligently apply multi-source heterogeneous data. It also establishes unified data standards and interface specifications to support interfaces with the facility layer, technical support layer, and user layer. The technical support layer serves as the core driving force for system operation, and is used to research and design the hardware facilities of aircraft and to carry out intelligent management in conjunction with Internet of Things technology. At the application level, it extends to various low-altitude scenarios, deeply integrating mission planning systems and air traffic management based on a demand-driven and technology-driven two-way circulation mechanism. The user layer is a complex ecosystem involving multiple stakeholders.

[0012] As can be seen from the above technical solution, compared with the prior art, the present invention provides a method for constructing an urban low-altitude transportation system architecture that considers user needs and industry applications, and has the following beneficial effects: This invention analyzes the multi-dimensional and multi-level needs of different stakeholders involved in a new urban low-altitude transportation system. It constructs an urban low-altitude transportation ecosystem from the perspective of the distribution relationships among these stakeholders. Based on a review of intelligent integrated low-altitude transportation infrastructure, it builds an urban low-altitude transportation system architecture from the dimensions of facility layer, information layer, technical support layer, application layer, and user layer. This improves the intelligence level and operational efficiency of urban transportation development and provides technical support for promoting innovative applications of the low-altitude economy in logistics, urban transportation, and other fields. Attached Figure Description

[0013] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without creative effort.

[0014] Figure 1 This invention discloses a flowchart of a method for constructing an urban low-altitude transportation system architecture that considers user needs and industry applications. Figure 2This is a framework diagram of the stakeholders and their relationships in the ecosystem disclosed in this invention; Figure 3 This invention discloses a demand diagram for urban low-altitude transportation authorities. Figure 4 This is a demand diagram for urban low-altitude transportation operators disclosed in this invention; Figure 5 This invention discloses a diagram illustrating the public customer demand for urban low-altitude transportation. Figure 6 This is a diagram of the intelligent integrated infrastructure architecture for low-altitude transportation disclosed in this invention; Figure 7 This is a diagram of the urban low-altitude transportation system architecture disclosed in this invention; Figure 8 This is a diagram of the architecture of the intelligent highway drone patrol and inspection equipment disclosed in this invention. Figure 9 This is an application diagram of the urban low-altitude traffic operation monitoring solution disclosed in this invention; Figure 10 This is a topology diagram of the urban low-altitude traffic operation monitoring solution disclosed in this invention. Detailed Implementation

[0015] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0016] Reference Figure 1 As shown, this invention discloses a method for constructing an urban low-altitude transportation system architecture that considers user needs and industry applications, including the following steps: Define the participating entities and construct an urban low-altitude transportation ecosystem. The participating entities include technology research and development, scenario application, commercial users, competent authorities, and auxiliary support. Identify the needs of the participating entities, including the needs of the competent authorities, the needs of the operating companies, and the needs of the public. Based on the urban low-altitude transportation ecosystem and the needs of participating entities, the core production and supply factors are determined, and then the urban low-altitude transportation system is constructed.

[0017] Furthermore, as a producer within the urban low-altitude transportation ecosystem, technological research and development is used for the research and development of technological systems and the overall integration and production of eVTOL aircraft, while also carrying out innovative optimization of components such as the eVTOL aircraft airframe, battery, motor, and flight control system. Specifically, urban low-altitude transportation is born from disruptive technological innovation. Taking electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft as an example, its main transformation is the establishment of a new system with new energy power as its core and autonomous operation and new infrastructure as its support. The main participants include top universities, research institutes, and R&D enterprises, as well as eVTOL aircraft manufacturers (such as Joby, Volocopter, Vertical, EHang, and Peak Flight Aviation) and component suppliers (such as Honeywell Autonomous Flight Systems, Sunwoda Battery, Intel chips, and STMicroelectronics), infrastructure service providers (such as Skyports and TcabDOT), communication companies (such as AT&T, ZTE, and Huawei), navigation companies (such as China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, Aviation Industry Corporation of China, and BDStar Navigation), and monitoring technology providers (such as DeTect Inc., Honeywell, and the Second Research Institute of the Civil Aviation Administration of China).

[0018] The scenario application party is both a producer and a consumer. As a producer, it provides services and operation management for downstream commercial users in different application scenarios; as a consumer, it purchases aircraft and its components from upstream manufacturers. Specifically, based on their role, they can be further divided into application scenarios and service management platforms. Urban low-altitude transportation will be widely used in logistics and distribution, air travel, emergency rescue, and urban governance, building a scenario-based ecosystem. Urban drone operation management and service platforms utilize digital platforms for data services and platform management, thereby providing commercial transportation for users in specific scenarios.

[0019] The data platform mainly includes urban low-altitude transportation service providers and their operation platforms, as well as meteorological, intelligence, and GIS data providers.

[0020] Urban low-altitude transportation service providers and their operating platforms are bridges connecting users and aircraft through applications, mobile apps, and other means. Service providers obtain user needs and orders through the platform and carry out the scheduling and delivery tasks of eVTOL aircraft.

[0021] Meteorological and intelligence GIS data providers offer external data and information on the flight status of eVTOL aircraft to support the completion of flight missions.

[0022] The management platform mainly includes traffic management for unmanned systems and a comprehensive management platform for civil unmanned aerial vehicles, providing an important basis for the construction of future urban air traffic management systems.

[0023] Commercial users are consumers in the urban low-altitude transportation ecosystem. They purchase urban low-altitude transportation services from service providers and platforms in a market environment. They are the actual demanders and users of innovative technologies and achievements. Specifically, considering particular application scenarios, the current needs of commercial users of urban low-altitude transportation mainly include logistics, air travel, security inspection, and emergency rescue. The commercial operation of urban low-altitude transportation primarily addresses special scenarios and requirements where current public transportation cannot meet the needs of inconvenience and high timeliness. Urban low-altitude transportation can ensure normal passage between remote rural areas and suburban city centers that are not covered by existing public transportation, and can also be applied to scenarios such as medical emergency drug delivery and emergency rescue.

[0024] The competent authority acts as a catalyst in the urban low-altitude transportation ecosystem, responsible for implementing overall strategic planning, industrial policies, and full-process supervision. Specifically, specialized institutions that provide support for technological innovation activities and promote the industrialization of scientific and technological achievements mainly include consulting firms, training centers, information centers, talent agencies, and financial institutions, providing talent and financial guarantees for urban low-altitude transportation products and services. Meanwhile, insurance companies and operation and maintenance companies provide comprehensive guarantees for the completion of urban low-altitude transportation services by offering insurance products and aircraft maintenance services throughout the entire process.

[0025] Furthermore, technology research and development, scenario applications, and commercial users constitute the entire urban low-altitude transportation industry chain, forming a "technology-application-commerce" system structure. Scenario application providers supply products and services to commercial users based on their specific scenario-based needs, while the competent authorities formulate and supervise policies and regulations for the entire urban low-altitude transportation industry. The specific architecture is as follows: Figure 2 As shown.

[0026] Specifically, in this chain, the technology developers provide technical and theoretical innovations for urban low-altitude transportation services, and produce aircraft and components based on the design of eVTOL aircraft, in order to provide material and technical resources for market application groups. Meanwhile, in the process of providing transportation services to users, the application parties will also encounter technical problems related to aircraft and components, and promptly provide feedback to the technology developers, in order to provide opportunities for the technology developers to upgrade and reinvent the system.

[0027] Application providers offer users safe, fast, and efficient urban low-altitude transportation services. The competent authorities formulate and supervise the entire process of urban low-altitude transportation industry, and the departments in charge of unmanned aerial vehicle-related work in their respective regions. Supporting institutions accelerate the transformation of scientific and technological achievements and the completion of flight missions by providing funding and professional talent to technology research and development groups and market application groups, and by providing auxiliary support services.

[0028] Furthermore, refer to Figure 3As shown, the low-altitude economy, as an emerging economic form, is characterized by its wide reach, long industrial chain, strong growth potential, and driving force. Urban low-altitude transportation, as a branch sector, has entered a rapid development stage in my country, with a continuously improving industrial environment and a sound industrial chain foundation. However, at the same time, the development of low-altitude transportation also faces challenges such as slow progress in infrastructure construction, relatively weak key core technologies, lagging market development, and an urgent need to improve the management system.

[0029] Different traffic management departments have heterogeneous needs for the development of urban low-altitude transportation. The activities of unmanned aerial vehicles are under the unified leadership of the competent authority, which also carries out the designation of controlled airspace.

[0030] Meanwhile, current urban transportation still faces problems such as inefficient traffic flow, insufficient carbon reduction effectiveness, low service quality, slow response speed, and weak transportation economy. Low-altitude transportation systems, as a new service model, new operational space, and new development track, have significant potential in solving these problems. Relevant competent authorities and transportation management departments, based on their own responsibilities, also have needs regarding the operational functions of urban low-altitude transportation systems, including urban traffic management, innovative response mechanisms for special events, construction of comprehensive three-dimensional transportation systems, and transportation economic development.

[0031] Furthermore, the relevant authorities also bear the responsibility for regional economic development, boosting the consumer market, and promoting industrial innovation. With the further opening of low-altitude airspace and continuous technological advancements, the market for low-altitude consumption will continue to expand, and economic applications such as low-altitude tourism, logistics, and medical services will gradually mature and become widespread. Low-altitude transportation will become a new engine for regional economic growth, activating the economic potential of the low-altitude transportation market and providing greater support for socio-economic development and the improvement of people's lives.

[0032] Reference Figure 4 As shown, operating companies encompass the construction, operation, organization, management, service provision, cooperative marketing, and model promotion of urban low-altitude transportation services. They are the practitioners and promoters of the urban low-altitude transportation industry. Based on the characteristics of their service models, technological development, and business expansion, operating companies have clear needs regarding the application scenarios, consumption potential, infrastructure, and industrial technology development of urban low-altitude transportation. Specifically, the demand from operating companies for low-altitude transportation application scenarios and consumption potential mainly focuses on the development of new business formats and markets driven by the cross-industry integration of low-altitude + tourism, logistics, passenger transport, traffic management, and inspection, such as low-altitude consumption and entertainment, transportation mode innovation, and improved maintenance and supervision. The improvement of infrastructure is the foundation of urban low-altitude transportation operation services. Improving the take-off and landing infrastructure network, increasing the construction of general aviation airports, and planning and constructing small take-off and landing platforms, medium-sized take-off and landing fields, large take-off and landing hubs, eVTOL take-off and landing fields for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), as well as related infrastructure such as low-altitude flight service stations, charging and battery swapping facilities, public testing grounds, and all-space unmanned systems, represent the development needs of operating companies for low-altitude transportation infrastructure.

[0033] The development of low-altitude transportation technology is conducive to the expansion of operating companies and the improvement of their quality. By integrating and utilizing cutting-edge technologies such as satellite navigation, the Internet of Things, AI algorithms, and real-scene 3D digital twins, the low-altitude transportation operation management and service system can be optimized and updated, thereby improving the quality of low-altitude flight services and the system's response speed.

[0034] Reference Figure 5 As shown, public customers are consumers in the urban low-altitude transportation innovation ecosystem, and are the actual demanders and users of low-altitude transportation innovation technologies and services. Combining the specific application conditions of different customer categories and the operational characteristics of low-altitude transportation, the needs of public customers in the urban low-altitude transportation sector in terms of business type include rapid commuting for personnel, efficient delivery of goods, autonomous safety inspection, traffic condition monitoring, aerial sightseeing for tourists, and emergency rescue.

[0035] Specifically, innovative operation models for urban low-altitude transportation can address the unique scenarios and requirements of certain areas, such as the need for rapid and convenient transportation, high timeliness of travel or transportation, diverse and high-quality travel options, automated and efficient operations, and efficient event response. This will lay the foundation for diversified innovative application scenarios and development of urban low-altitude transportation.

[0036] In addition, the needs of public customers in the essential dimensions of service mainly involve the needs of business services in terms of security, convenience, efficiency, greenness, economy, inclusiveness, and resilience, including safe and stable operation, rapid and efficient response, green, low-carbon and energy-saving, economical and comfortable service, universal and equitable supply, autonomous and intelligent operation and maintenance, and reliable and redundant configuration.

[0037] Furthermore, core production and supply factors include autonomous aircraft, urban aviation operators, digital low-altitude airspace, unmanned air traffic management systems, and smart infrastructure.

[0038] Specifically, autonomous aircraft are used in applications such as highway patrol and inspection, traffic operation monitoring, low-altitude logistics transportation, and emergency rescue. Urban low-altitude transportation vehicles mainly include drones, helicopters, short takeoff and landing (STOL) aircraft, vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft, and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. These aircraft have advantages such as requiring less space for takeoff and landing, saving urban space, being less affected by complex urban environments and buildings, having a high degree of freedom in resolving flight conflicts, being more compatible with autonomous driving technology, and easily achieving point-to-point on-demand operations. From a technical feasibility perspective, general aviation aircraft (such as helicopters) will remain the mainstream for passenger transport in the short term. From the perspective of eVTOL's commercialization progress, it is suitable for scenarios such as aerial sightseeing, aerial logistics, aerial firefighting, and medical transportation in the short term; in the long term, potential applications include urban passenger transport and regional passenger transport. Specifically: Inspection and patrol drones (multi-rotor drones such as DJI M300 RTK, vertical take-off and landing fixed-wing drones such as CW-15) are mainly used for daily inspections of infrastructure such as highways, bridges, and tunnels, and are required to have long endurance, high-precision sensing and real-time data transmission capabilities.

[0039] Logistics transport drones (large cargo drones such as SF Express's ARK40 and JD.com's JDY-800) are suitable for low-altitude freight delivery, requiring high payload capacity, high reliability, and precise landing capabilities.

[0040] Manned eVTOL has clear airworthiness requirements. Considering that future application scenarios will involve high-density operations, aircraft are required to not only have the basic function of autonomous obstacle avoidance, but also the connectivity to be centrally controlled and dispatched by an unmanned traffic management system.

[0041] Emergency rescue helicopters or drones designed for scenarios such as accident rescue and medical emergency are required to have rapid response, adaptability to harsh environments, and high reliability. These aircraft not only need to meet higher safety levels but also have all-weather operation capabilities.

[0042] Urban aviation operators, based on the two major business systems of passenger and cargo transport, are increasing their digital management capabilities for unmanned aerial vehicles and establishing operational safety management standards for new types of passenger and cargo urban aviation, providing comprehensive services such as inspection, emergency response, and rescue for cities.

[0043] Digital low-altitude airspace, as a crucial foundation for safe and high-density flight in the low-altitude domain, integrates digital technology, communication applications, and aviation airspace management to explore its fundamental theories, implementation methods, and applications. A nationally unified method for delineating low-altitude airspace and unmanned low-altitude traffic management rules are the core underlying support for low-altitude intelligent transportation applications. City-level digital airspace planning and construction represent the primary scenario for commercial applications of low-altitude infrastructure.

[0044] An unmanned air traffic management system is a regional-level unmanned air traffic management system tool designed and developed based on digital airspace and in accordance with unmanned low-altitude traffic management rules. It needs to include at least digital airspace management, automatic flight mission approval and processing, dynamic route allocation based on flight missions, aircraft performance, and airspace usage density, and robust regulatory functions such as flight dynamic monitoring, early warning, and takeover.

[0045] Intelligent infrastructure is a fundamental and pioneering task in the development of low-altitude transportation. Aircraft rely on various infrastructures, such as takeoff and landing sites and power stations, to perform flight missions. Besides providing basic support functions for aircraft flight (including routine takeoff and landing support and charging capabilities, stable communication links, and reliable monitoring and surveillance), it is also necessary to fully utilize existing transportation and urban emergency infrastructure in takeoff and landing site selection and functional integration. Simultaneously, it is crucial to fully consider factors such as safety and noise control, as well as market operations (including passenger convenience and the integration and ease of use of urban management). This will enable aircraft to achieve efficient and reliable operation while generating increasingly diverse market demands and gaining widespread social support and recognition. In summary, the architecture of low-altitude intelligent integrated infrastructure is as follows: Figure 6 As shown, it includes a facility network (supporting physical facilities, mainly infrastructure), an air network (low-altitude sensing and communication facilities, combining hardware and software facilities), an airway network (digital airspace and operating system, combining software and computing power), and a service network (digital management and service system, mainly software).

[0046] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, the urban low-altitude transportation system architecture typically adopts a layered design. From the perspective of the low-altitude intelligent network, the system framework is designed to construct an open and sustainable theoretical logical architecture for the urban low-altitude transportation system, consisting of a facility layer (infrastructure, including vertical take-off and landing fields, communication, navigation and monitoring equipment, etc.), an information layer (information service provision, including geographic location, real-time traffic, navigation information, meteorological information, etc.), a technical support layer (key core technologies, including general aviation aircraft technology, intelligent network monitoring and control technology, etc.), an application layer (including highway patrol and inspection, emergency rescue, etc.), and a user layer (public security departments, transportation departments, environmental protection departments, emergency management departments, etc.). This explores practical models that can guide stakeholders to participate in the integration and sharing of knowledge, technology and services related to urban low-altitude transportation. The infrastructure layer, serving as the physical carrier for system operation, primarily consists of vertical takeoff and landing fields (Vertiport), communication and navigation facilities (V2X communication base stations, BeiDou augmentation system), and sensing and monitoring equipment (millimeter-wave radar, ADS-B automatic dependent surveillance system). This layer, through the high-density deployment of intelligent infrastructure, meets the rigid requirements for aircraft takeoff and landing, dynamic airspace perception, and high-precision positioning. Its layout planning must adhere to the principles of multi-node coverage and redundancy design to support the reliable operation of the urban low-altitude transportation network. As the information hub of the urban low-altitude transportation system, the data layer undertakes the core functions of integrating, processing, and intelligently applying multi-source heterogeneous data. This layer integrates multimodal sensing data such as UAV aerial imagery, LiDAR point clouds, and millimeter-wave radar trajectories, and combines this with roadside traffic flow monitoring, meteorological sensor information, and vehicle-mounted terminal information to construct a dynamic data acquisition network covering the entire area. An edge-cloud collaborative computing architecture is adopted for the integration, processing, and intelligent application of multi-source heterogeneous data. At the edge nodes, real-time data cleaning, feature extraction and spatiotemporal alignment, data fusion, and intelligent analysis are completed; the cloud layer is responsible for in-depth data mining and model training, achieving intelligent identification and prediction of traffic events through artificial intelligence algorithms. It also establishes unified data standards and interface specifications to support interfaces with the infrastructure layer, technical support layer, and user layer. Specifically, in highway patrol and inspection scenarios, the data layer integrates high-resolution image data from drones, point cloud data from lidar, and traffic event data (such as traffic accidents and violations), combined with meteorological and environmental data (such as visibility and wind speed), to achieve accurate identification and rapid response to road infrastructure anomalies and traffic violations. In traffic operation monitoring scenarios, relying on traffic flow data (vehicle density, vehicle speed, etc.), violation data (running red lights, illegal lane changes, etc.), traffic light status data, and accident alarm data, the efficiency of urban road management and traffic safety can be improved through real-time analysis and dynamic optimization. In low-altitude logistics transportation scenarios, the data layer uses airspace status data (no-fly zones, aircraft dynamics, etc.), meteorological data (wind direction, wind speed, etc.), cargo information data (weight, destination, etc.), and take-off and landing field data (Vertiport location and capacity, etc.) to achieve dynamic optimization and resource scheduling of drone delivery routes, ensuring the efficient operation of the logistics network. In accident emergency rescue scenarios, the data layer integrates disaster image data (high-definition images and thermal imaging from UAVs), 3D modeling data (on-site models constructed by LiDAR), vital sign data (location information of trapped individuals), and resource scheduling data (material inventory, aircraft location, etc.) to provide comprehensive support for rapid response and rescue decisions at disaster sites.

[0047] The technology support layer, as the core driving force for system operation, includes two major technology systems: one is aircraft technology, which covers key technologies such as aerodynamic design of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, distributed electric propulsion systems, and high-energy-density batteries; the other is intelligent network technology, which focuses on breakthroughs in core capabilities such as wide-area surveillance, dynamic airspace management, and collaborative control. Based on big data and big models, the air-ground integrated intelligent collaborative management and control technology addresses the complex air-ground environment. It is based on traffic big data and artificial intelligence algorithms to study the urban eVTOL take-off and landing site selection technology under zero prior conditions, the intelligent identification technology of abnormal behavior of low-altitude aircraft, and the air-ground collaborative management and control method based on multi-source information fusion. It has made breakthroughs in key technologies of intelligent traffic management and control for air-ground integration. Based on the collaborative optimization technology of air-ground integrated transportation network integration and resource optimization, a multi-layer air-ground transportation network integration architecture is designed for multiple ground and low-altitude transportation operation networks to realize the collaborative deployment of air-ground equipment and the joint optimization of multi-dimensional transportation capacity resources. Based on intelligent sensing-based low-altitude traffic operation risk assessment and mitigation technology, facing complex low-altitude airspace scenarios, we will construct a quantitative assessment model for UAV operation air-to-ground risks, establish low-altitude traffic operation situation analysis technology, develop low-altitude airspace risk avoidance and risk mitigation measures, and overcome key technologies for quantitative assessment of low-altitude safety risks and dynamic balance technology for airspace traffic. Autonomous perception and collision avoidance technology for low-altitude aircraft addresses the problems of weak situational awareness of unmanned aerial vehicles in complex environments and the inability of non-intelligent algorithms to meet autonomous collision avoidance requirements. Research is conducted on vision-based intelligent detection and recognition technology for low-altitude aircraft and aircraft autonomous collision avoidance technology based on reinforcement learning algorithms, in order to achieve autonomous collision avoidance of unmanned aerial vehicles in complex environments. Intelligent route network planning technology for complex low-altitude environments is used to realize route network planning in complex low-altitude environments. To address the problems of route network planning in complex low-altitude environments, this includes developing low-altitude airspace risk assessment models based on big data fusion technology, large-scale intelligent route network planning technology that considers airspace risk costs, and researching and developing urban air traffic vehicle take-off and landing site selection technology based on big data.

[0048] At the application level, it extends to various low-altitude scenarios, deeply integrating mission planning systems and air traffic management based on a demand-driven and technology-driven two-way circulation mechanism. Specifically, application-level scenarios include: Highway patrol and inspection is used to dynamically monitor and inspect highway traffic conditions using drones, identify and analyze traffic congestion and its sources, traffic accidents, emergency lane occupation, arbitrary lane changes and other traffic incidents, violations and safety risks, and realize the automated detection of abnormal events on key highway sections; Specifically, refer to Figure 8As shown, the automated drone patrol and inspection system comprises an air-end, a ground-end, and a command end. The air-end includes drones and sensors, responsible for performing patrol tasks and collecting data. The ground-end includes drone hangars, remote controls, and take-off and landing sites, responsible for receiving drone data, performing data analysis, and sending the data to the command end. The command end includes a drone cloud management platform, flight control system, intelligence system, and monitoring screen, enabling unified scheduling and management of drones and hangar equipment, and analyzing the collected data. The drone cloud management platform's main functions include real-time information synchronization, multi-window real-time monitoring, automatic / manual / rapid mission execution, and drone airport scheduling, as detailed in Table 1.

[0049] Table 1 Functions of the UAV Cloud Management Platform

[0050] Traffic operation supervision primarily involves urban road condition patrols and traffic control, including specific scenarios in urban traffic management such as traffic flow monitoring, violation monitoring, accident handling, and infrastructure operational status identification. In the area of ​​urban low-altitude traffic operation supervision, the main business involves combining drones, low-altitude aircraft, and intelligent platforms to achieve three-dimensional and dynamic traffic management. Drones can collect information and data at high altitudes for monitoring traffic accidents and emergency response, identifying traffic congestion, accidents, or other abnormal situations and events, adjusting traffic light cycles based on real-time road conditions, and optimizing traffic conditions, thereby improving the efficiency of traffic operation supervision.

[0051] Reference Figure 9 As shown, the traffic operation supervision system based on drones mainly consists of a drone traffic police application solution system composed of a data collection terminal, a wireless transmission layer, an application layer, and a platform layer, forming a closed loop for the application of smart traffic police.

[0052] Equipped with specialized payloads, drones can perform tasks such as ultra-high-definition video capture, long-range reconnaissance, infrared thermal imaging, target vehicle tracking, and detailed modeling, becoming a data collection terminal for multi-task operations across terrain. Drones can also carry innovative payload devices such as loudspeakers, searchlights, strobe lights, and LED signage lights, becoming rapidly mobile and versatile task execution terminals. The collected information can be transmitted in real-time via the drone's own image transmission link or 4G / 5G image transmission, enabling further efficient analysis of the information.

[0053] At the application layer, the ground station software can realize UAV mission planning and execution such as intelligent positioning, automatic inspection, automatic flight, and intelligent photography; the workstation software can perform functions such as route planning, 2D reconstruction, 3D reconstruction, data analysis, and data visualization processing for key road sections and areas.

[0054] like Figure 10As shown, the functions implemented at the application layer can be scientifically utilized and managed at the platform layer according to work needs. The platform layer includes a public security platform composed of a command platform, a traffic police six-in-one system, video cloud, big data, etc. By connecting to the platform, existing IT resources can be reused to enhance data value. The video footage transmitted back by drones can achieve unified video analysis, unified storage, and data structuring. In addition, integrating drone management into an IOC (Integrated Operations Center) or command platform with GIS capabilities can achieve unified, visualized, intelligent, and refined management.

[0055] Low-altitude logistics is considered the most promising and technologically mature emerging industry in the low-altitude economy. It can meet the needs of consumers, the military, and society for rapid delivery of goods, such as intercity and rural air logistics, last-mile delivery in cities, cross-border e-commerce delivery, and cross-sea logistics delivery.

[0056] Intercity and rural air logistics, mainly based on general aviation freight, has achieved fast and convenient transportation of goods, improved the efficiency of the logistics chain, and can cover remote intercity and hard-to-reach rural areas. It provides cold chain transportation support, environmentally friendly and low-carbon transportation, improves the delivery efficiency in remote areas, reduces transportation costs, and enhances the ability to deliver emergency supplies.

[0057] Urban last-mile delivery primarily serves industries such as postal express and food delivery. It can improve delivery efficiency, quickly and efficiently complete the "last mile" delivery in cities, and also cover remote and hard-to-reach areas, achieving contactless delivery.

[0058] Cross-border e-commerce delivery primarily serves the postal industry and is applicable to special areas such as customs. It can accelerate international e-commerce logistics, reduce logistics costs, improve logistics transparency, and support a seamless global logistics network.

[0059] Cross-sea logistics and distribution primarily serve the postal industry, improving cross-sea logistics efficiency, reducing transportation costs, enhancing emergency material delivery capabilities, and expanding the cross-sea logistics distribution network.

[0060] The drone-based low-altitude logistics transportation system is a highly integrated technological system, encompassing multiple aspects such as aircraft technology, infrastructure, intelligent management platforms, policy support, and multi-scenario applications. As shown in Table 2, the aircraft is equipped with an advanced cargo loading system, utilizing automated loading equipment and cargo distribution technology to maximize the use of cabin space, ensure the rational distribution of cargo, and improve flight stability.

[0061] Table 2 Intelligent Tasks and Load Balancing

[0062] Regarding cargo tracking and management systems, Internet of Things (IoT) technology is used to monitor cargo status in real time, ensuring cargo safety during transportation. The cargo tracking system provides accurate location information, facilitating logistics management and customer inquiries, as shown in Table 3. Table 3. Related Technologies of Cargo Tracking and Management System

[0063] As shown in Table 4, in terms of aircraft load and balance control technology, the load monitoring system controls the cargo load of the aircraft in real time to ensure balance and safe flight under various flight conditions and avoid flight problems caused by uneven load.

[0064] Table 4. Aircraft payload and balance control technology

[0065] In emergency rescue operations, aircraft can quickly reach the scene of road closures caused by natural disasters or major accidents, providing on-site lighting, real-time information transmission, situation analysis, and intelligent decision support. This improves the efficiency of rapid response and handling of road emergencies and enables the efficient transport of urgently needed medical and food supplies to disaster or accident sites, significantly enhancing emergency rescue efficiency and personnel safety.

[0066] In terms of key technologies, leveraging artificial intelligence techniques such as multi-agent reinforcement learning, image recognition, natural language processing, and deep learning, the system can accurately mark the location and contour of each target in an image for target detection and recognition, and accurately identify trapped personnel, fire sources, and accident conditions. Regarding task collaboration and decision support, the intelligent technology enables disaster area information and rescue needs analysis, collaborative operations between unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and ground rescue teams, optimized task allocation, and decision support. In terms of environmental perception and obstacle avoidance, the intelligent technology can achieve real-time detection and analysis of complex environments and obstacles around the flight path, enabling accurate rescue operations in changing and uncertain low-altitude environments.

[0067] Accident scene detection and positioning technology: GPS is used to quickly locate the accident scene and the position of trapped personnel, providing accurate geographic coordinates. Equipped with infrared thermal imagers and high-resolution cameras, it helps to quickly search for accident scenes and trapped personnel, especially in hard-to-reach areas; Wireless communication system: Ensures real-time communication between rescue personnel and the command center, supporting on-site command and coordination; Helicopter rescue system: Equipped with slings and first aid equipment, it can quickly lift trapped personnel and transfer them to a safe location; Adaptive system for severe weather: Ensures that rescue operations can still be carried out effectively in severe weather conditions such as rain, snow, fog and haze, including the provision of weatherproof equipment and enhanced sensors.

[0068] Autonomous obstacle avoidance technology: The drone is equipped with devices such as lidar, ultrasonic and infrared sensors to perceive obstacles such as buildings, pedestrians and vehicles in the surrounding environment in real time, so as to achieve intelligent obstacle avoidance and ensure delivery safety, as shown in Table 5.

[0069] Table 5 Design of Autonomous Obstacle Avoidance Technology

[0070] The user layer is a complex ecosystem involving multiple stakeholders. Its core function is to achieve efficient collaboration among regulatory authorities, operating companies, and technical support entities through standardized data interfaces and a collaborative management platform. At the regulatory level, law enforcement agencies utilize police drone command systems for traffic enforcement and emergency response; traffic management departments coordinate the operation and airspace management of passenger / cargo aircraft; environmental protection departments use airborne sensors for dynamic air pollution monitoring; emergency management departments enhance disaster response capabilities through drone 3D modeling and material delivery; and surveying departments and transportation infrastructure maintenance units jointly oversee high-precision infrastructure inspections and spatial data updates. At the market-oriented operation level, logistics entities construct a tiered delivery system through intercity trunk lines, urban last-mile delivery, and cross-border drone networks; and airspace management departments implement dynamic airspace allocation and flight conflict resolution. Technical support departments provide decision-making support to these stakeholders through communication services and data analysis platforms, building a collaborative ecosystem among multiple stakeholders.

[0071] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A method for constructing an urban low-altitude transportation system architecture that considers user needs and industry applications, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Define the participating entities and construct an urban low-altitude transportation ecosystem. The participating entities include technology research and development, scenario application, commercial users, competent authorities, and auxiliary support. Identify the needs of the participating entities, including the needs of the competent authorities, the needs of the operating companies, and the needs of the public. Based on the urban low-altitude transportation ecosystem and the needs of participating entities, the core production and supply factors are determined, and then the urban low-altitude transportation system is constructed.

2. The method for constructing an urban low-altitude transportation system architecture considering user needs and industry applications as described in claim 1, characterized in that, As a producer in the urban low-altitude transportation ecosystem, technological research and development is used for the research and development of technology systems and the overall integration and production of eVTOL aircraft, while also carrying out innovative optimization of the eVTOL aircraft airframe, battery, motor and flight control. The scenario application party is both a producer and a consumer. As a producer, it provides services and operation management for downstream commercial users in different application scenarios; as a consumer, it purchases aircraft and its components from upstream manufacturers. Commercial users are consumers in the urban low-altitude transportation ecosystem, and they purchase urban low-altitude transportation services from service providers and platforms in a market environment. The competent authority acts as a catalyst in the urban low-altitude transportation ecosystem, responsible for implementing overall strategic planning, industrial policies, and full-process supervision. Support specialized agencies that assist in supporting scientific and technological innovation activities and promoting the industrialization of scientific and technological achievements.

3. The method for constructing an urban low-altitude transportation system architecture considering user needs and industry applications as described in claim 2, characterized in that, Technology research and development, scenario applications, and commercial users constitute the entire urban low-altitude transportation industry chain, forming a system structure of "technology-application-commerce". Scenario application providers supply products and services to commercial users based on their scenario-specific needs, while the competent authorities formulate and supervise policies for the entire urban low-altitude transportation industry.

4. The method for constructing an urban low-altitude transportation system architecture considering user needs and industry applications as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Operating companies include those responsible for the construction, operation, organization, management, service provision, cooperative marketing, and model promotion of urban low-altitude transportation services. Public customer needs include rapid commuting for personnel, efficient delivery of goods, autonomous safety inspection, traffic status monitoring, aerial sightseeing for tourists, and emergency rescue.

5. The method for constructing an urban low-altitude transportation system architecture considering user needs and industry applications as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The core production and supply elements include autonomous aircraft, urban aviation operators, digital low-altitude airspace, unmanned air traffic management systems, and smart infrastructure.

6. The method for constructing an urban low-altitude transportation system architecture that considers user needs and industry applications as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The urban low-altitude transportation system architecture includes an infrastructure layer, an information layer, a technical support layer, an application layer, and a user layer. The infrastructure layer serves as the physical carrier for system operation, supporting the reliable operation of the urban low-altitude transportation network. As the information hub of the urban low-altitude transportation system, the data layer adopts an edge-cloud collaborative computing architecture to integrate, process, and intelligently apply multi-source heterogeneous data. It also establishes unified data standards and interface specifications to support interfaces with the facility layer, technical support layer, and user layer. The technical support layer serves as the core driving force for system operation, and is used to research and design the hardware facilities of aircraft and to carry out intelligent management in conjunction with Internet of Things technology. At the application level, it extends to various low-altitude scenarios, deeply integrating mission planning systems and air traffic management based on a demand-driven and technology-driven two-way circulation mechanism. The user layer is a complex ecosystem involving multiple stakeholders.

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