A Modelling and Optimisation Framework for AAM Corridor Network Design with Geometry-Based Deconfliction

We develop an optimisation framework for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) corridor network design with flow dependent conflict exposure at intersections. The problem is formulated as a stochastic mixed-integer nonlinear program capturing demand uncertainty, routing efficiency, and pairwise conflict risk. To strengthen the relaxation, we derive clique-based valid inequalities for bilinear flow interactions, adapted from the Boolean Quadric Polytope. We further extend the framework with geometry-based local deconfliction, where expected conflict resolution costs are estimated from conflict-trigger probabilities. Numerical experiments show that embedding conflict-mitigation structures into network design reduces conflict exposure while preserving operational efficiency.

Prof. Yu Zhang is a Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of South Florida, where she leads the Smart Urban Mobility Laboratory (SUM-Lab) and directs the Advanced Air Mobility Research Program at the Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR). Her research focuses on the development of mathematical programming models, solution algorithms, simulation tools, and machine learning methods to advance efficient, resilient, and sustainable multimodal transportation systems. More recently, her work has centered on the safe, efficient, scalable, and resilient integration of Advanced Air Mobility into both multimodal transportation systems and the national airspace system.

Prof. Zhang is a Senior Member of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) and a Senior Member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). She is also the recipient of the 2020 Amazon Research Award, a highly competitive and prestigious program supporting innovative research at academic institutions and nonprofit organisations worldwide. Prof. Zhang received her PhD and MSc in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, and her BSc in Transportation Engineering from Southeast University in China.