Bill Overview
Title: AAIM Act
Description: This bill establishes a pilot grant program to support advanced air mobility (AAM) infrastructure. AAM infrastructure refers to an air transportation system that transports individuals and property between points in the United States in both controlled and uncontrolled airspace using certain aircraft, including remotely piloted, autonomous, or vertical take-off and landing aircraft. The Department of Transportation (DOT) must award planning grants for AAM infrastructure to (1) state, local, or tribal governments; (2) airport sponsors; (3) transit agencies; (4) port authorities; (5) metropolitan planning organizations; or (6) consortia of such entities. Entities that receive these grants must develop a comprehensive plan for AAM infrastructure, including vertiports (sites that support the landing, takeoff, loading, and other operations of vertical take-off and landing aircraft). Topics covered in the plan must address matters such as identifying locations for AAM infrastructure and available sources of funding. DOT must brief Congress about the plans it receives. The briefing must include an evaluation of the planned or proposed locations for vertiports and a description of best practices or lessons learned through the review of comprehensive plans. Grants may not be awarded after September 30, 2023. The Government Accountability Office must conduct a study on the interests, roles, and responsibilities of federal, state, local, and tribal government affected by AAM aircraft and operations.
Sponsors: Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
Target Audience
Population: Global population influenced by transportation infrastructure developments
Estimated Size: 330000000
- The AAIM Act concerns transportation which is a fundamental aspect of infrastructure with widespread societal impact.
- Virtually everyone in the United States relies on transportation infrastructure in some manner, whether directly or indirectly.
- The bill's focus on advanced air mobility could lead to significant changes in how goods and people are transported, affecting various sectors from commuting to logistics.
- The potential population affected includes both current air travel and transport service users and those who could be integrated into these services due to enhanced mobility options.
- The modernization and development of new infrastructure specifically targeted for advanced air mobility could shift economic activities and job opportunities, influencing a broad demographic range including urban, suburban, and possibly rural populations.
Reasoning
- The policy impacts a wide range of people, considering their reliance on transportation.
- Wellbeing impacts can vary greatly depending on proximity and reliance on air transportation updates.
- People in urban areas may be more directly affected while rural populations feel changes less immediately.
- The policy is likely to benefit those whose jobs are directly related to transportation and infrastructure development.
- You should expect varied opinions, ranging from those who see potential improvements in transportation to those wary of noise or environmental issues related to increased air mobility.
- With financial restrictions, not all proposed projects may receive funding, affecting the distribution of benefits.
- Indirect impacts like potential job creation or transportation times may also affect people differently based on their location and occupation.
Simulated Interviews
Software Developer (New York, NY)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it's great that we're investing in new transportation technology, especially in a city like New York where mobility can be challenging.
- I'm hopeful this will make my business trips easier and faster.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Logistics Manager (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could really help streamline our operations and cut costs as long as it's implemented well.
- I am a bit concerned about potential delays during construction.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Farmer (Springfield, IL)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't see how this will impact me—I'm not flying produce anywhere.
- If it benefits local businesses, that's fine, but it's not for me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Environmental Activist (Miami, FL)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I worry about the environmental impact of more air traffic, even if it’s supposed to be advanced technology.
- Hopefully, planning will take these factors into consideration significantly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Retired (Denver, CO)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's about time we had some fresh ideas for transport.
- As long as it doesn’t interfere with my peace and quiet, I support it.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Public Transportation Planner (Seattle, WA)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm excited about the possibilities this opens up for integrating with existing public transport.
- Public engagement in this process will be crucial to success.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Urban Planner (Austin, TX)
Age: 30 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This represents a significant opportunity to rethink how cities handle urban transport.
- But we must carefully integrate such development with sustainability goals.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Commercial Pilot (Boston, MA)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could mean big changes for us in the cockpit, possibly even more autonomy in aircraft.
- It might reduce commercial pilot demand long-term, which is concerning.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Small Business Owner (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could revolutionize the way my business operates if costs remain reasonable.
- I hope the infrastructure will be built quickly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
College Student (Chicago, IL)
Age: 23 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a fascinating development, and I'm excited to see what comes of it.
- I wonder how this will affect general city landscapes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $800000000 (Low: $500000000, High: $1000000000)
Year 2: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- Advanced air mobility is a burgeoning field and exact infrastructure costs are challenging to predict due to rapid technological developments.
- The short window for grant awards limits immediate fiscal impacts but long-term implications are uncertain.
- Coordination among entities is critical, directly impacting the effectiveness and total cost of AAM planning and implementation.
- Infrastructure compatibility, regulatory compliance, and safety standards are important and could drive costs.