In recent years, civil drones have become increasingly prevalent due to their low cost, compact size, integration capabilities, and intelligent features, leading to widespread applications in fields such as aerial photography, surveying, plant protection, and logistics. According to statistical reports from the civil aviation authority, the number of registered civil drone users and operational units has surged, with annual growth rates exceeding 40%, highlighting the rapid expansion of the civil drone sector. This exponential increase in civil drone flight demands poses significant challenges to existing traffic management systems. In response, regulatory bodies have initiated efforts to address issues like unauthorized flights interfering with airport operations, culminating in draft regulations that emphasize provincial governments as key entities in civil drone traffic management. Provinces like Sichuan and Hunan have pioneered various models through low-altitude airspace management reforms, fostering civil drone industry development and deeper regulatory changes. This article analyzes typical provincial civil drone traffic management models and proposes a construction framework, drawing on existing practices to inform future nationwide implementation of regulations.
The management of civil drone traffic involves multiple stakeholders, including national authorities, provincial administrations, service providers, and users. A comprehensive framework, such as the Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM), has been proposed to coordinate these elements. This framework emphasizes national policy support and resource coordination, while provincial governments assume localized safety management responsibilities, facilitating the establishment of service institutions and user compliance. Within this structure, provinces have explored diverse approaches to civil drone traffic management, resulting in models that enhance airspace utilization and operational efficiency. This analysis focuses on the characteristics of these models, leveraging firsthand insights to outline effective strategies for provincial-level implementation.
Research on civil drone traffic management has gained traction globally, with organizations like the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the Joint Authorities for Rulemaking of Unmanned Systems (JARUS), and national agencies such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) conducting studies and pilot programs. Institutions like Boeing, Thales, and Nanyang Technological University have also contributed to exploring UTM strategies. Domestically, scholars have made valuable advancements, though gaps remain. Firstly, studies often prioritize technical aspects over managerial considerations, which is critical given the multi-stakeholder nature of civil drone traffic management. Inadequate coordination among management entities can lead to operational chaos. Secondly, there is a lack of focused research on provincial-level civil drone traffic management models. As provincial administrations bear substantial responsibilities under upcoming regulations, there is a pressing need for a comprehensive methodology to guide their implementation. This article addresses these gaps by examining provincial civil drone traffic management models, analyzing their features, and offering construction recommendations.
In the context of civil drone traffic management, the integration of quantitative models can enhance decision-making. For instance, the efficiency of airspace utilization for civil drone operations can be represented by the formula: $$U = \frac{T_f}{T_t} \times 100\%$$ where \(U\) is the airspace utilization rate, \(T_f\) is the total flight time of civil drones within a specified period, and \(T_t\) is the total available time for that airspace. This metric helps assess how effectively provincial models accommodate civil drone activities. Additionally, the capacity of a civil drone traffic management system can be modeled as: $$C = \frac{N \cdot V}{A}$$ where \(C\) is the traffic capacity, \(N\) is the number of civil drones operating simultaneously, \(V\) is the average velocity, and \(A\) is the allocated airspace area. Such formulas provide a basis for evaluating and optimizing provincial civil drone management strategies.
Analysis of typical provincial models reveals distinct approaches to civil drone traffic management. The Sichuan model, known as low-altitude collaborative management, and the Hunan model, characterized by全域低空开放 (comprehensive low-altitude opening), serve as benchmarks. The following table summarizes key elements of these civil drone traffic management models:
| Element | Sichuan Model | Hunan Model |
|---|---|---|
| Pilot Airspace Area | Over 6,700 km² | 2,700 km² (initial), 241,000 km² (planned) |
| Governing Authority | Provincial Low-Altitude Airspace Collaborative Management Committee (under Civil-Military Integration Office) | Changsha Flight Service Station |
| Operational Unit | Provincial Low-Altitude Airspace Collaborative Operation Center | Hunan General Aviation Comprehensive Service Platform |
| Information System | Sichuan Low-Altitude Collaborative Operation System | Hunan Low-Altitude Airspace Military-Civilian Collaborative Operation Management Information System |
The Sichuan model for civil drone traffic management emphasizes a collaborative mechanism where the provincial government coordinates airspace demand allocation, air traffic control departments handle verification and approval, and the operation center manages daily activities. This has led to a significant expansion of pilot airspace, increasing from 2,100 km² to over 6,700 km², with fixed airspaces and low-altitude visual corridors growing in number and width. A key innovation is the shift from a control-oriented approach to a management-focused one, promoting “managed low-altitude visual autonomous flight” for civil drones. This enhances user initiative and airspace utilization. Moreover, the reform simplified flight plan procedures from a审批制 (approval system) to a报备制 (filing system), reducing the lead time from one week to just one hour, thereby enabling “file-and-fly” operations for civil drones in designated areas. This flexibility has significantly boosted civil drone activity and user satisfaction.
In contrast, the Hunan model for civil drone traffic management focuses on comprehensive low-altitude opening, involving systematic planning of provincial airspace. It classifies airspace below 3,000 meters into controlled, monitored, and reporting categories, totaling 171 zones, and establishes 97 routine low-altitude visual flight routes. The release of visual flight charts, such as the National Visual Flight Chart (Hunan Low-Altitude Chart), accessible online, facilitates mission planning for civil drone users. Additionally, Hunan has developed a robust flight support system, including a provincial general aviation service platform and a surveillance network, enabling “one-stop” services for civil drone flights. To institutionalize these reforms, the province enacted regulations like the Hunan General Aviation Ordinance, which covers aspects from airport management to airspace use and safety oversight, providing a legal foundation for civil drone operations.
A comparative analysis of these civil drone traffic management models can be extended using performance metrics. For example, the efficiency of flight plan processing for civil drones can be expressed as: $$E = \frac{1}{T_p} \cdot \log(N_r)$$ where \(E\) is the processing efficiency, \(T_p\) is the average time per plan, and \(N_r\) is the number of processed requests. This highlights how models like Sichuan’s filing system improve \(E\) by reducing \(T_p\). Furthermore, the economic impact of civil drone management can be modeled as: $$I_e = \sum_{i=1}^{n} (R_i – C_i) \cdot D_i$$ where \(I_e\) is the net economic impact, \(R_i\) is the revenue from civil drone applications in sector \(i\), \(C_i\) is the associated cost, and \(D_i\) is the deployment scale. Such formulas aid in evaluating the sustainability of provincial civil drone initiatives.
Based on these analyses, constructing an effective provincial civil drone traffic management model requires addressing several core components. First, it is essential to define a clear management主体 (entity) and streamline coordination mechanisms. Given the involvement of military authorities in airspace management, provinces should designate lead departments with existing ties to military units, such as civil-military integration offices or transportation departments, to facilitate communication and consensus-building among stakeholders like public security and civil aviation. This ensures a unified approach to civil drone traffic management and promotes collaborative decision-making.
Second, establishing dedicated operational institutions and building a robust support system are crucial for sustaining civil drone activities. Provinces should set up public service units responsible for daily operations, such as flight service centers, to maintain continuous coordination with military and civil aviation entities. These units should be equipped with comprehensive information systems, including military-civilian collaborative platforms and communication networks, to enable efficient monitoring and management of low-altitude airspace for civil drones. The integration of these systems enhances reliability and instills confidence among users and regulators.
Third, developing legal and regulatory frameworks is vital to support the growth of the civil drone industry. Provinces should enact localized实施细则 (implementation rules) that align with national regulations, covering aspects like airspace use, flight services, and safety standards. For instance, following the example of Hunan’s general aviation ordinance, provinces can issue detailed guidelines on low-altitude airspace management and technical specifications. Additionally, providing accessible channels for information查询 (inquiry) and consultation, such as websites and mobile apps, encourages public participation and ensures compliance in civil drone operations.
To illustrate the resource allocation in civil drone traffic management, consider the following table on key investment areas:
| Component | Description | Impact on Civil Drone Management |
|---|---|---|
| Governance Structure | Establishment of lead departments and coordination mechanisms | Enhances stakeholder alignment and policy enforcement for civil drones |
| Operational Infrastructure | Development of service centers and information systems | Improves real-time monitoring and efficiency of civil drone flights |
| Legal Frameworks | Enactment of regulations and technical standards | Provides legal certainty and promotes safe civil drone integration |
| Public Engagement | Creation of user-friendly platforms for flight planning | Increases accessibility and adoption of civil drone technologies |
In terms of operational optimization, the performance of civil drone traffic management systems can be assessed using models that account for dynamic factors. For example, the response time for handling civil drone flight incidents can be represented as: $$T_r = \alpha \cdot L_d + \beta \cdot N_i$$ where \(T_r\) is the response time, \(L_d\) is the latency in data transmission, \(N_i\) is the number of incidents, and \(\alpha\) and \(\beta\) are coefficients specific to the provincial setup. Minimizing \(T_r\) is critical for ensuring safety in civil drone operations. Similarly, the scalability of a civil drone management model can be expressed as: $$S = \frac{C_m}{C_b} \cdot \exp(-k \cdot t)$$ where \(S\) is the scalability index, \(C_m\) is the maximum capacity, \(C_b\) is the baseline capacity, \(k\) is a decay factor, and \(t\) is time. This emphasizes the need for adaptable systems to accommodate growing civil drone demands.
In conclusion, the adoption of national regulations for civil drone traffic management will place provincial administrations at the forefront of implementation. Models like Sichuan’s low-altitude collaborative management and Hunan’s comprehensive low-altitude opening offer valuable insights into effective practices for civil drone integration. Building a successful provincial civil drone traffic management model necessitates clear governance structures, dedicated operational institutions with robust support systems, and comprehensive legal frameworks. By learning from these examples and incorporating quantitative assessments, provinces can foster a conducive environment for the civil drone industry, ensuring safe, efficient, and scalable operations. As civil drone technologies evolve, continuous refinement of these models will be essential to address emerging challenges and opportunities in the airspace ecosystem.
Ultimately, the goal is to create a harmonious system where civil drones can operate seamlessly alongside other airspace users. Through collaborative efforts and evidence-based strategies, provinces can unlock the full potential of civil drones, driving innovation and economic growth while maintaining high standards of safety and regulation. The journey toward optimized civil drone traffic management is ongoing, and the lessons from pioneering provinces will undoubtedly shape the future of this dynamic field.