This study attempts to identify urban air logistics (UAL) operational concepts by synthesizing the urban freight transport (UFT) network configurations and urban air mobility (UAM) characteristics. UAL is gaining popularity as a quick and safe mode that has the potential to address several logistics challenges. This study has reviewed scientific papers identified using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework to understand the features of existing UFT distribution networks, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), and UAM. The cross analysis considered UFT features such as the parcel’s weight, delivery type (time sensitivity, customer-to-customer, business-to-consumer, or business-to-business), and UFT distribution network types and compared them against the features of UAS such as maximum take-off weight, range, and infrastructure requirements (drone ports). The analysis identified three types of UAL operational concepts: door-to-door direct (D2DD), hybrid, and multimodal. Lightweight deliveries can be operated using D2DD and hybrid through point-to-point (P-P) and extended P-P network concepts. The hybrid concept uses an intermediate drop-off location to deliver goods. Hub-and-spoke (H-S), extended H-S, and trunk line with collecting/distribution network designs can be used for heavyweight cargo operations. D2DD versus hybrid/multimodal concepts were compared based on six thematic clusters (societal implications, safety and security, ethics, environmental issues, public acceptance, and urban planning and infrastructure). This study identified that technological development and innovation could reduce social implications and ethical challenges. Furthermore, public willingness and economic feasibility will determine the success of the operational concepts. The identified UAL operational concepts, network designs, and challenges will help to conduct further research in this subject area.

Rapid exit taxiways enhance runway operational capacities by means of reducing the runway occupancy times of aircraft. The selection of rapid exit taxiway locations is important to achieve the optimum runway capacity. This paper presents a methodology for locating rapid exits based on excursion risk. Considering the level of severity and frequency of historical runway-related accidents and emerging use of rapid exit taxiways in the future, this study explores the associated veer-off risk at rapid exits. The proposed methodology estimates veer-off risk using three successive steps such as event probability, location probability, and severity estimation. An existing logistic regression model developed for landing overrun probability estimation is adapted for the exit taxiway facility to estimate event probability. Aircraft touchdown speed, deceleration, and runway criticality factor are the important operational parameters of this model adaptation. The aircraft turn path radius and kinetic energy at the time of veer-off are used to estimate the respective location probabilities and accident severities. As the sample analysis proves, the associated veer-off risk increases when the exits are closer to the runway threshold. The paper recommends wider taxiways and larger taxiway radii to compensate for increasing veer risks. The methodology helps for planning risk-based rapid exit taxiways for varying design, operational, and weather conditions.