Analysis of Wind and Turbulence Characteristics in UAM Corridors Using a CFD Model

Urban Air Mobility (UAM) has recently gained global attention as a potential solution to mitigate traffic congestion in large metropolitan areas. Existing aviation meteorological systems, designed primarily for high-altitude flight operations, are inadequate for low-altitude aircraft, which are significantly influenced by terrain and building structures. Consequently, developing advanced technologies to accurately observe and predict complex urban meteorological conditions is critical for the safe and efficient operation of UAM systems. This study examines wind and turbulence characteristics in UAM operational corridors within designated test areas. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was employed, with initial boundary conditions derived from the Korea Meteorological Administration's local data assimilation and prediction system (LDAPS). Surface temperatures were modeled using the Vegetated Urban Canopy Model (VUCM), and terrain and building data were sourced from the National Geographic Information Institute (NGII) of South Korea. The analysis covered a one-year period from July 2023 to June 2024. Model validation was conducted by comparing results with data from automatic weather stations (AWS) installed around the UAM testbed. The findings reveal that average wind speeds were low near the surface but increased with altitude, whereas wind shear and turbulent kinetic energy were highest near the surface and diminished at higher altitudes. At corridor altitudes (300–600 m), wind shear was predominantly "light," while "moderate" to "strong" wind shear occurred near the surface, particularly around mountain peaks. Seasonal analysis indicated that regions with abrupt wind direction changes exceeding 60 degrees were frequently observed near mountain peaks and occasionally within the corridor. Future work will include validation using a high-resolution meteorological observation network to be established in the UAM testbed area. Additionally, hazardous weather elements affecting UAM operations within the corridor will be monitored.