Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University (NTU) researchers are developing an aerial traffic control system for safe navigation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones in airspace.

The research initiative of the new Traffic Management of Unmanned Aircraft Systems technology is led by NTU’s Air Traffic Management Research Institute (ATMRI).

“This new traffic management project will test some of the new concepts developed with the aim of achieving safe and efficient drone traffic in our urban airways."

The system will provide designated air-lanes and blocks, including smart and safe routing, detect-and-avoid systems, as well as traffic management.

NTU professor Low Kin Huat said: “This new traffic management project will test some of the new concepts developed with the aim of achieving safe and efficient drone traffic in our urban airways.

“The implications of the project will have far reaching consequences, as we are developing ways for seamless travel of unmanned aircrafts for different purposes without compromising safety, which is of paramount importance.”

Researchers plan to establish coordinating stations to track airborne drones, schedule traffic flow and supervise their speeds to ensure safe separation between the UAVs.

The drones will also be fitted with sensors to enable detection and avoid collision with another airborne UAVs.

The project will be carried out over four years, and the initial conceptual design and software simulation phase is to be completed by the end of this year.

The solution will then undergo practical application using drones developed by NTU to evaluate its operational feasibility next year.

Image: Conceptual image of NTU’s traffic management system for airborne drones. Photo: courtesy of Nanyang Technological University.