NC A&T to Lead $2M Advanced Air Mobility Research Initiative with State Transportation Department

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NC A&T) has secured a leadership role in a significant new drone and advanced air mobility research initiative, backed by an initial $2 million investment from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) over the next two years, reports GovTech.

The University Transportation Center of Excellence for Advanced Air Mobility and Unmanned Aircraft Systems represents a strategic push to advance North Carolina’s position in the rapidly evolving drone and Urban Air Mobility sector. The initiative brings together academic expertise from NC A&T, NC State University, and Elizabeth City State University, alongside industry heavyweights including Boeing and several specialized aviation consulting firms.

Under the leadership of Professor Abdollah Homaifar from NC A&T’s Department of Electrical Engineering, the research coalition will tackle critical challenges in eVTOL integration and beyond visual line of sight operations. The program’s scope extends beyond purely technical aspects, encompassing emergency response capabilities, regional air mobility solutions, and the development of essential infrastructure and workforce training programs.

The initiative’s focus on multimodal transportation integration is particularly noteworthy, as it aims to create seamless connections between ground and air transport systems. This approach could prove crucial for both urban and rural communities across North Carolina, potentially transforming everything from daily commutes to emergency response capabilities.

NC State University’s research team will concentrate on the critical intersection of surface and air mobility integration, while Elizabeth City State University researchers will specialize in evaluating unmanned aircraft systems deployment for rural emergency response scenarios. This multi-institutional approach ensures comprehensive coverage of both technical and practical challenges in advanced air mobility implementation.

The project’s industry partnerships, including collaborations with AeroX, Crown Consulting, Flyabout Strategies LLC, AirDex Inc., and Raven Advisory LLC, suggest a strong focus on practical, real-world applications. This industry involvement could accelerate the transition from research to implementation, particularly in areas like emergency response and regional air mobility solutions.

The initiative’s emphasis on workforce development is particularly timely, given the growing demand for skilled professionals in the advanced air mobility sector. As Dean Stephanie Luster-Teasley Pass of NC A&T’s College of Engineering noted, the program will focus on empowering students to address future transportation challenges through innovative solutions.

This research initiative positions North Carolina as a potential leader in advanced air mobility development, building on the state’s existing aerospace infrastructure and academic expertise. The focus on both urban and rural applications suggests a comprehensive approach to addressing transportation challenges across diverse geographical and demographic contexts.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​