Population density analysis for identification of low-risk airspace for UAV operations

• Main Author: Tock, Wenhui
• Other Authors: Low Kin Huat
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2022
• Subjects: Engineering::Aeronautical engineering
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/159179
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have been increasing in popularity rapidly in recent years due to their wide variety of applications. As such, many challenges have surfaced, with one of the most concerning being the safety of the general public due to the increased possibility of UAVs crashing on people on the ground, resulting in higher fatality risk. Thus, as fatality risk is directly associated with population density, there is a need to study the distribution of population density across various areas in Singapore in order to identify low-risk airspace with lower population density for UAVs to fly over. The objective of this report was to identify low-risk airspace in Singapore that can be used for UAV operations through population density analysis considering consumption amenities available in each area. Preliminary data analysis was first carried out to understand the recent population in each area and the population trend over the past 20 years. Detailed data analysis was then done for two planning areas using the Random Walks Method and Gravity Model to understand the population distribution at unsheltered amenities. This final year project will contribute to the development of risk assessment models assessing fatality risks to people on the ground. The safety of UAV operations can thus be improved by avoiding high-risk areas where the population density is high.