This thesis presents the development of life cycle assessment framework, which includes a series of conceptual models, to evaluate the end-to-end environmental impacts of Urban Air Mobility (UAM) systems, with a specific focus on their application in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) scenarios. The LCA study examines two types of UAM technologies: drones for the delivery of medical supplies and medium-sized electric Vertical Take-off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft for the transport of medical personnel or patients. The proposed LCA assessment framework incorporates sensitivity analysis modules to account for the uncertainties prevalent in the respective domains.
The carbon dioxide emissions in the UAM ecosystem are largely due to the construction and operation of supporting ground infrastructure, as well as the production and operation of unmanned aerial systems, as underscored by this thesis. The analysis reveals that motor production generates the highest environmental impact, while battery-related impacts are uncertain and influenced by flight frequency. Additionally, the study emphasizes the importance of local grid intensity and weather conditions in determining the overall emissions associated with UAM operations.
As UAM technologies continue to mature, it is advocated that additional scenario-based and network-level evaluations be carried out. The developed framework in this thesis holds potential for enhancement through improvements in data quality, thereby contributing to a more robust understanding of the environmental implications of UAM in EMS contexts
