Development of Land Use Compatibility Guidelines for Vertirports through Synthesis of Safety, Noise, and Airflow Research

The emergence of electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) operations necessitate comprehensive land use compatibility standards for vertiport infrastructure. This study develops empirically validated safety zones integrating accident risk assessment, noise impact modeling, and aerodynamic down/outwash (DOW) analysis with expert consensus validation. A multi-method sequential explanatory design employed Functional Hazard Assessment (FHA), Preliminary System Safety Assessment (PSSA), and System-Theoretic Process Analysis (STPA) methodologies combined with Monte Carlo simulations and expert consensus from a 79-member Delphi panel. DOW modeling incorporated momentum theory, vortex interactions, and ground effects, validated through computational fluid dynamics and field measurements. Results demonstrate that Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Engineering Brief 105 safety standards substantially underestimate required protection zones. Enhanced DOW modeling reveals wind velocities exceeding 115 mph within 15 feet of aircraft, with hazardous conditions (>18 mph) extending to 175 feet, representing a 95% increase over existing FAA standards. Spatial accident probability modeling indicates that 99% of eVTOL accidents occur within 1,000 feet of vertiports, broader than previous helicopter-based estimates. Noise contour validation using computer vision and stochastic analysis corrected published models, showing 60% increases in high-intensity zones. Expert consensus closely aligned with technical findings, validating zone dimensions within a 99% agreement. The integrated Enhanced Tiered Vertiport Protection Framework establishes five composite zones ranging from 0-5,200 feet with progressive land use restrictions. Zone A (0-200 ft) requires complete personnel exclusion due to extreme wind hazards, while subsequent zones implement graduated compatibility standards. The framework demonstrates 77-84% overlap with established airport land use guidelines while addressing eVTOL-specific operational characteristics. These findings provide an essential scientific foundation for regulatory development, urban planning integration, and safe AAM implementation in metropolitan environments.