In recent years, our surface transportation infrastructure is suffering from overuse, extreme traffic congestion, and roadway disrepair. Instead of following the traditional infrastructure expansion policy, current transportation research focuses on developing innovative and novel solutions to the aforementioned issues. Current pathways to overcoming these issues include the gradual transition toward a number of emerging transportation technologies, such as, autonomous motor vehicles for human transport, as well as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV's) and “drone” technologies for surveillance, and package deliveries. However, as a long-term solution, transportation scientists are also investigating the once-seemingly futuristic notion of flying car technology—a convergent form of ground/air vehicle transportation, and assessing associated regulations. In this paper, an extensive review of current literature is conducted to explore the technological capabilities of flying cars—each requiring appropriate regulations and governance—to become fully sustainable. Specifically, issues pertinent to training, safety, environment, navigation, infrastructure, logistics/sustainability, and cybersecurity and human factors are explored. This paper concludes with a preliminary quantitative analysis exploring the public perceptions associated with flying cars—including anticipated benefits, concerns, and willingness to both hire and acquire the technology once available to consumers. Insights offered by this data will help inform next-generation policies and standards associated with the gradual advancement of flying cars.

Electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft-based urban air mobility (UAM) service in conjunction with personal flying cars are anticipated to offer mobility benefits in terms of reduced travel time, alleviate demand from overburdened ground transportation systems; and bring forth a paradigm shift in travel patterns. Furthermore, uncrewed aerial vehicles or drones have significant potential in package and food delivery and in various disaster responses. In this context, this paper aims to provide a systematic review of current research and studies covering crucial aspects of urban air mobility and flying car ecosystems including public perception, potential market demand, infrastructure requirements, operations and traffic management processes, and policy formulation. Insights offered by the current studies encompassing these areas are summarized and discussed in this paper.

Flying cars, a new transportation mode capable of operating on both land and air, are expected to be introduced in the existing traffic fleet over the next decade or so. Due to their potential in offering flexible mobility patterns, as well as shorter and more reliable travel times, flying cars are anticipated to bring forth significant changes in the urban transportation network. Even though the launch of flying cars is expected relatively soon, potential effects of this new transportation mode on public preferences towards residence location, due to anticipated improvements in mobility access, have not been explored to date. This paper aims to analyse whether a residence relocation trend (from urban to rural areas, or vice versa) is imminent if flying cars are introduced in the not so distant future. In this respect, an online survey was conducted where 584 individuals from the United States participated. The data from this survey are then statistically analysed through correlated grouped random parameters bivariate and univariate probit models, which are capable of accounting for several layers of unobserved heterogeneity. The analysis reveals that various socio-demographic characteristics of the individuals, and their opinions towards the perceived benefits and challenges of flying cars affect public opinions towards considering residence relocation due to the future introduction of flying cars. Although the existing knowledge regarding the operation of flying cars is currently limited, the findings from this study can provide insights into the travel demand, land use, urban and regional planning related challenges likely to be faced in urban and rural areas by policymakers, urban planners, and manufacturing companies, upon the introduction of flying cars.