Sequential Vertiport Location Optimization Considering Uncertain Social Benefit

This paper presents a novel framework for optimizing the locations and sizes of urban air mobility (UAM) vertiports. Unlike previous studies that focused on maximizing accessibility and potential demand, our approach emphasizes the social acceptance of UAM. A vertiport location problem with social benefits (VLPSB) that maximizes social benefits while considering practical constraints such as demand and noise pollution is proposed. Additionally, we introduce a stepwise vertiport location optimization problem (S-VLPSB) to address the demand uncertainty in UAM by solving the VLPSB sequentially. A case study and a comparative study for Jeju Island in South Korea, a representative scenario based on actual data, demonstrate the validity of the framework and discuss the impact and implications of key parameter variations.