“Urban Air Mobility Systems: Shaping Future Mobility and Societal Transformation”

Call for Papers – Virtual Special Issue (VSI): “Urban Air Mobility Systems: Shaping Future Mobility and Societal Transformation”

Journal: Travel Behaviour and Society
Publisher: Elsevier
Submission deadline: 01 January 2027

Overview

This virtual special issue (VSI)—published by Elsevier—explores the emergence of Urban Air Mobility Systems (UAMS), including electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles and drone-based logistics. As UAMS transitions from pilot programs toward broader implementation, it promises to reshape urban accessibility, enhance supply chain resilience, and improve travel efficiency. However, these systems introduce complex challenges regarding airspace management, public acceptance, infrastructure, equity, and environmental impact. The editors invite interdisciplinary research that examines these technologies through the lens of human behavior, transport policy, and societal transformation.

Key Research Themes

• Behavioral Dynamics: Analysis of changes in travel demand, mode choice, time use, and activity patterns resulting from UAMS adoption.

• Public Perception: Socio-psychological factors, including safety concerns, privacy, and public trust in autonomous air systems.

• Modeling & Analytics: Advances in big data analytics, system simulation, and demand forecasting for air-based mobility.

• Equity & Access: Evaluating how UAMS impacts social equity, urban accessibility, and the distribution of transport benefits.

• Policy & Governance: Infrastructure requirements, airspace management, and the regulatory frameworks needed to govern low-altitude transport safely.

• Sustainability: Assessing the environmental impacts and energy efficiency of drone delivery and air taxi systems.

Submission Details

• Submission deadline: 01 January 2027.

• Submission portal: https://submit.elsevier.com/TBS

• Special Instructions: You must select the article type “VSI: UAM: Future Mobility” during the submission process to ensure your manuscript is grouped under this special issue.

• Submission Standards: The journal welcomes original research and reviews. All manuscripts must adhere to the Travel Behaviour and Society Guide for Authors.

Guest Editor Team

• Hongliang Ding, Southwest Jiaotong University, China

• Hui-Jun Sun, Beijing Jiaotong University, China

• Kun Wang, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong

• Shaopeng Zhong, Dalian University of Technology, China

Why This Issue Matters

Urban air mobility represents a fundamental shift in how we conceive of "urban space" and transport infrastructure. By focusing on the intersection of human behavior and technological innovation, this VSI provides a necessary evidence-based foundation for policymakers and urban planners tasked with governing the low-altitude frontier, ensuring that UAMS contributes positively to the future of sustainable urban living.

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