Comparing UAM Demand, eVTOL Design, and Profitability across Metropolitan Regions using Simulation and Optimization
Ansgar KIRSTE, Eike STUMPF
Abstract. We develop an integrated methodology at the UAM fleet level combining multi-agent transport simulation (MATSim) with profit optimization. The approach is applied to three simulation scenarios (Los Angeles, Kyoto, Rhine-Ruhr) with varying network sizes, ticket prices, and eVTOL vehicle characteristics. Demand surrogates are analyzed for large-scale simulation prediction. Results of all scenarios indicate that profitable UAM operations by 2030 require autonomous flight, scenario specific ticket pricing, and efficient eVTOL designs.
Keywords
Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), eVTOL (Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing), Agent-Based Simulation, Demand Estimation, Transportation Economics
Published online 7/20/2026, 5 pages
Copyright © 2026 by the author(s)
Published under license by Materials Research Forum LLC., Millersville PA, USA
Citation: Ansgar KIRSTE, Eike STUMPF, Comparing UAM Demand, eVTOL Design, and Profitability across Metropolitan Regions using Simulation and Optimization, Materials Research Proceedings, Vol. 69, pp 94-98, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644904251-17
The article was published as article 17 of the book CEAS – AIDAA Conference 2025
Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.
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