To address the problem of constructing eVTOL vertiports under land-constrained urban conditions to accommodate high-density operations, this study proposes an apron layout optimization method for eVTOL vertiports based on integer programming. The method adopts the idea of rasterization to discretize the candidate sites, thereby transforming the complex spatial layout design into a mathematically tractable optimization problem. In the proposed model, facility-type siting decisions are treated as decision variables, and the optimal vertiport apron layout is obtained by maximizing net profit over the operation period subject to constraints on facility connectivity, eVTOL operational safety and passenger comfort. To verify the effectiveness of the method, a 200 m×140 m land parcel on Xishan Island in Suzhou is used as a case study, and the model is solved using Gurobi. The results show that the optimal layout obtained from the model yields a 10-year net profit of CNY 659 million, representing an 18.1% increase in net profit and a 27.7% reduction in construction cost compared with a commonly adopted separated vertiport layout. In terms of safety, appropriate functional zoning of the apron helps to ensure FATO safety operation interval, takeoff and landing clearance conditions, and emergency evacuation efficiency. The results indicate that the proposed method can effectively balance operational revenue, resource utilization and operational safety, and can provide a theoretical basis and methodological support for vertiport layout planning in urban environments.
LI Haotian, ZHANG Qiqian, ZHANG Honghai, LIU Yiyan, REN Mingxuan, MENG Bo. Vertiport Layout Method Based on Rasterization and Integer Programming[J]. Transport Research, 2025, 11(6): 140-150. DOI: 10.16503/j.cnki.2095-9931.2025.06.011
依据欧洲航空安全局(European Union Aviation Safety Agency, EASA)于2022年发布的VFR垂直起降场原型设计规范(PTS-VPT-DSN),垂直起降场是指一块用于或打算用于垂直起降飞机着陆、起飞和移动的土地、水域或结构区域[10]。尽管直升机和eVTOL两类飞行器在垂直起降能力上存在共性,使得传统直升机起降场为垂直起降场的规划与设计提供了最具参考性的基准模型。然而,两者对应的地面基础设施在关键设计参数与运行特征方面存在差异[11]。为了保证eVTOL可以完成飞行任务,每个垂直起降场至少应提供一个接地和离地区(Touch Down and Lift-Off Area, TLOF)以及最终进近和起飞区(Final Approach and Take-Off Area, FATO)[12]。每个FATO外围都应设置一个安全区(Safety Area, SA),三者的尺寸与设计机型的全尺寸D(电动垂直起降航空器在水平投影下的最小圆直径)有关,具体关系如图1所示。
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