Study takes a closer look at the future of air taxis

SALT LAKE CITY — The feasibility of using air taxis and delivery drones in Utah is being explored more in-depth. 

The Point of the Mountain State Land Authority is working with NEXA advisors on a study of air taxis. They will closely examine economic, technological, and air space factors at the point of the mountain.

Tulinda Larsen, the head of Utah’s NEXA office, says that while delivery drones are starting to become more commonplace, air taxis are different. People are using drones more and more, especially when it comes to transporting necessary medical supplies. But taxis have not yet been established. 

“Advanced air mobility transporting passengers has not been implemented yet. We are still working on the technology side, particularly on the battery side. And then also on the federal regulatory framework,” Larsen said.

The study will take place over the next year or so and will look to answer several logistical questions. Questions like: What would be the likely traffic patterns? How much would it cost to develop a vertiport? Would air quality actually improve?

Related: Vertiports: The future is coming to Utah sooner rather than later

They will also be looking at data from the Utah Department of Transportation to understand travel patterns and see how best to integrate electric air transport with other transportation methods. 

Larsen said that air taxis are so cutting edge because of their use of these electric motors in point-to-point services. 

However, the technology will still only carry a small amount of people at a time. 

“These vehicles carry between two, maybe eight passengers,” said Larsen. 

Mike Ambre, The Point interim executive director, told Dave and Dujanovic that the study will cover more than just vertiports and air taxis. The study will also cover other futuristic forms of travel like self-driving cars, drone delivery, and gondola transportation.  

NEXA is holding tests at the old prison site for the next year or so, but it may still be a decade before we see them in the skies. 

Related: LISTEN: UDOT and USU to conduct vertiport demonstration