As a strategic emerging industry, the low altitude economy is rapidly becoming a new growth engine for urban development worldwide. My research focuses on the critical role of physical infrastructure in enabling the safe, efficient, and scalable operation of low-altitude activities, including passenger transport, logistics, tourism, and emergency services. The development of the low altitude economy hinges on robust physical infrastructure, and standardization is the cornerstone for achieving large-scale application and sustainable growth. Based on a comprehensive analysis of existing national, industry, local, and group standards, alongside policy documents,典型案例, and county-level applications, this study systematically examines the current state, challenges, and development pathways for low-altitude physical infrastructure. Our findings indicate that the construction of physical infrastructure for the low altitude economy is still in its nascent stage, characterized by a limited standard system, uneven regional development, fragmented construction efforts, and a lack of top-level design. We propose a construction framework centered on unified planning, hierarchical classification, and collaborative governance, with particular emphasis on the standardization pathways for mobile and base-type electric aircraft facilities, combustion-powered infrastructure, flying car facilities, and supporting systems. This research underscores that advancing the standardization of low-altitude physical infrastructure is of paramount practical and strategic importance for enhancing the safety, compatibility, and operational efficiency of the urban low altitude economy, thereby fostering orderly industry development.
In recent years, the low altitude economy has gained significant traction as a transformative force in urban mobility and services. Leveraging low-altitude airspace, it utilizes manned and unmanned aircraft for diverse applications, reshaping urban transportation and public service systems. The integration of the low altitude economy into national strategies highlights its potential, but realizing this potential requires addressing infrastructure gaps. My investigation reveals that without standardized physical infrastructure, issues such as airspace conflicts, noise pollution, and resource wastage could impede the growth of the low altitude economy. Therefore, this study adopts a multi-faceted approach to explore standardization pathways, drawing on literature reviews, standard analyses, and case studies to provide actionable insights.
The methodology employed in this research combines literature analysis, standard梳理, and case调研 to ensure a holistic understanding. Through literature review, we identified core physical infrastructure elements frequently mentioned in policy documents, such as landing sites, communication systems, and energy supply facilities. Standard analysis involved systematically categorizing current国家标准,行业标准,地方标准, and团体标准 to assess coverage and identify gaps. Case studies, including surveys of通用机场 and county-level unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) applications, provided real-world data on construction practices and challenges. This integrated approach allows us to derive a standardized framework tailored to the evolving needs of the low altitude economy.
Policy literature analysis shows that over 30 provincial-level regions and numerous cities in China have issued policies to promote the low altitude economy, with action plans emphasizing infrastructure like landing fields, communication networks, and energy stations. For instance, frequency analysis of key terms in regional action plans highlights the prominence of landing sites, as summarized in the table below, which illustrates the distribution of infrastructure mentions across representative regions. This policy push underscores the urgency of standardizing physical infrastructure to support the low altitude economy’s expansion.
| Infrastructure Type | Frequency in Policy Documents |
|---|---|
| Landing Sites | High |
| Communication Systems | Medium-High |
| Energy Supply | Medium |
| Navigation and Monitoring | Medium |
| Meteorological Services | Low-Medium |
Current standards for the low altitude economy are fragmented, with existing norms primarily covering general aviation airports and some UAV aspects. For example, standards like MH/T 5026-2012 for general airport construction provide a foundation, but they lack specificity for unmanned systems. The recent团体标准 T/CCAATB 0062-2024 for eVTOL landing sites marks a step forward, yet it focuses on technical requirements rather than comprehensive engineering guidelines. The table below summarizes key existing standards, revealing gaps in coverage for unmanned aircraft infrastructure, particularly in construction and management aspects.
| Standard Number | Standard Name | Level | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| MH/T 5026-2012 | General Airport Construction Specification | Industry | Current |
| T/CCAATB 0062-2024 | eVTOL Landing Site Technical Requirements | Group | Current |
| GB/T 35018-2018 | Civil UAV System Classification and Grading | National | Current |
| JT/T 1440-2022 | UAV Logistics Distribution Operation Requirements | Industry | Current |
Case studies of urban general airport construction reveal disparities in density and coverage. For instance, data from the通用机场信息管理系统 GAAS show that while cities like Shenzhen have relatively high airport densities, others lag, limiting their ability to support diverse low altitude economy applications. The formula for airport density can be expressed as: $$ \text{Density} = \frac{\text{Number of Airports}}{\text{Area}} $$ where area is in square kilometers. This metric highlights regional imbalances, as seen in the table below, which compares major cities.
| City | Application Scenarios | Number of General Airports | Airport Density (per 10,000 km²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shenzhen | Passenger, Logistics, Tourism, Inspection | 31 | 155.2 |
| Shanghai | Passenger, Logistics, Tourism | 11 | 17.35 |
| Beijing | Logistics, Tourism, Rescue | 8 | 5.0 |
| Suzhou | Passenger, Logistics, Tourism, Rescue, Inspection | 7 | 8.09 |
At the county level, UAV applications demonstrate higher flexibility and density, enabling services like infrastructure inspection, environmental monitoring, and emergency response. For example, in one county project covering 518 km², 128 UAVs and landing sites achieved a density of 2,500 sites per 10,000 km², significantly higher than general airports. This illustrates the potential of UAVs to enhance the low altitude economy’s responsiveness. The service efficiency can be modeled as: $$ \text{Service Efficiency} = \frac{\text{Population Served}}{\text{Number of UAVs}} $$ where a lower value indicates better coverage. Data from various county projects are summarized in the table below, showing diverse applications and infrastructure metrics.
| Case Project | Application Scenario | Coverage Area (km²) | Number of UAVs | Number of Landing Sites | Site Density (per 10,000 km²) | Service Population per UAV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coastal Defense | Coastline Inspection | 128 | 3 | 3 | 234.4 | 57,000 |
| Environmental Monitoring | Eco-Dynamic Monitoring | 120 | 5 | 5 | 416.7 | 34,000 |
| Emergency Management | Emergency Inspection | 388 | 25 | 25 | 644.3 | 16,000 |
| County Demonstration | Multiple Services | 518 | 128 | 128 | 2,500.0 | 5,100 |
To address the challenges in low-altitude physical infrastructure, we propose a standardized classification based on energy type and landing mode, drawing from the national standard GB/T 35018-2018 for UAV systems. This classification includes five categories: mobile electric aircraft facilities, base-type electric aircraft facilities, combustion-powered facilities, flying car facilities, and other supporting infrastructure. Each category requires tailored standardization pathways to ensure compatibility and safety in the low altitude economy. For instance, mobile facilities offer flexibility for dispersed scenarios, while base-type facilities involve civil engineering for规模化 operations. The supporting infrastructure encompasses energy, communication, navigation, meteorological, and emergency systems, which are vital for integrated operations.
The standardization framework should encompass planning, construction, and management phases. For example, construction guidelines could include specifications for landing site dimensions, such as the Final Approach and Takeoff Area (FATO) and Touchdown and Lift-off Area (TLOF), as outlined in existing standards. Additionally, operational protocols for airspace management, like dynamic route planning, can be modeled using optimization formulas. One possible formula for route efficiency is: $$ \text{Route Efficiency} = \sum_{i=1}^{n} \frac{\text{Demand}_i}{\text{Capacity}_i} $$ where demand and capacity are defined for specific airspace segments. This approach helps mitigate conflicts in the low altitude economy.
The necessity for standardization stems from the risks of uncoordinated development, such as safety hazards and inefficiencies. Our analysis shows that without unified standards, the low altitude economy could face increased accident rates and reduced public acceptance. Therefore, we recommend strengthening national top-level design, implementing graded management based on aircraft types and scenarios, and establishing cross-departmental coordination mechanisms. For instance, a standardized airspace grid coding system could facilitate dynamic resource allocation, enhancing the low altitude economy’s resilience. The benefits of standardization can be quantified using a composite index: $$ \text{Standardization Index} = \alpha \cdot \text{Safety} + \beta \cdot \text{Compatibility} + \gamma \cdot \text{Efficiency} $$ where α, β, and γ are weighting factors reflecting priorities in the low altitude economy.
In conclusion, the low altitude economy represents a pivotal frontier for urban innovation, and its success depends on standardized physical infrastructure. Through unified planning and collaborative governance, we can overcome current limitations and unlock the full potential of low-altitude activities. Future efforts should accelerate the development of national standards, promote regional coordination, and foster industry integration to boost the competitiveness of the low altitude economy. This research contributes a foundational framework for advancing standardization, ensuring that the low altitude economy evolves in a safe, efficient, and sustainable manner.