Project outline
As electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft move closer to widespread adoption in future cities, the design of vertiports which are dedicated take-off and landing hubs, has become increasingly important in ensuring safe, efficient, and publicly acceptable urban air mobility systems. Noise is one of the key challenges facing this transition. The placement, design, and operation of vertiports will determine how acceptable eVTOL systems are to the communities they serve, particularly in dense urban and peri-urban areas.
This PhD project will explore how vertiport layout, rotorcraft operations, and atmospheric conditions influence noise generation and propagation. Through a combination of experimental studies, aeroacoustic modelling, and urban planning analysis, the project aims to develop design guidelines and regulatory insights for quieter, safer, and more sustainable vertiport integration into future cities.
Project Partners
This project is based at the University of Bristol.
Further project information
Urban air mobility promises to revolutionise the way people move within and between cities, but achieving this vision requires careful consideration of noise, safety, and environmental impact. Vertiports will form the backbone of these networks, serving as take-off and landing sites for fleets of electric air taxis and drones. The vertiport design will strongly influence local noise levels, public acceptance, and urban integration.
This PhD will investigate the aeroacoustic and environmental aspects of vertiport design, with a particular focus on the ground effect and atmospheric boundary layer interactions that affect rotor noise generation. Using experimental testing of single- and multi-rotor configurations, the research will measure detailed noise signatures, flow behaviour, and surface interactions during take-off and landing. These data will be used to evaluate the influence of vertiport geometry, surface materials, and environmental conditions on perceived noise levels.
You will work within the University of Bristol’s National Aeroacoustic Facility and collaborate with multiple academics and industrial partners in aeroacoustics, fluid dynamics, and urban design. The project may also involve engagement with industry and policy partners involved in eVTOL development and city planning. Through this research, you will contribute to defining the standards and practices that will shape the integration of air mobility into modern cities.
Subject Areas
- Urban Air Mobility (UAM)
- Aeroacoustics and Environmental Noise
- Experimental Fluid Mechanics
- Urban Design and Transport Planning
- Sustainable Aviation
Required qualifications/skills
Essential:
- A minimum of a 2:1 undergraduate degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline.
Student
Commencing in October 2026