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Transforming Healthcare Delivery with Advanced Air Mobility: A Rural Study with GIS-Based Optimization

Author

Listed:
  • Raj Bridgelall

    (Transportation, Logistics & Finance, College of Business, North Dakota State University, P.O. Box 6050, Fargo, ND 58108-6050, USA)

  • Denver Tolliver

    (Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute, North Dakota State University, P.O. Box 6050, Fargo, ND 58108-6050, USA)

Abstract

The efficient and timely delivery of pharmaceuticals is critical, particularly in regions with dispersed populations and challenging logistics. Inclement weather often disrupts ground transport, complicating the consistent supply of essential medications. Advanced air mobility (AAM), particularly through the use of drones, presents a promising solution to these logistical challenges by enabling smaller, more frequent deliveries to low density populated places and bypassing traditional transport constraints. This study evaluates the potential benefits of AAM for pharmaceutical transport in North Dakota (ND). The authors developed a comprehensive GIS and optimization framework to identify optimal locations for logistical centers and routes for drone and truck transport. The study introduces a person-years-saved (PYS) metric to rank the potential for AAM deployments to foster healthcare improvements in underserved communities. Moreover, the study found that drone trips were significantly more cost-effective and efficient than truck trips, with trucks being 2.3 times more expensive and having a 2.8 times higher underutilization rate. The study concludes with recommendations for regulatory support and future research to validate and expand the application of AAM in pharmaceutical logistics, contributing to improved healthcare delivery and operational efficiency in often overlooked rural populations. These insights provide a foundation for the practical implementation of AAM technologies, emphasizing their potential to revolutionize pharmaceutical logistics in challenging environments.

Suggested Citation

  • Raj Bridgelall & Denver Tolliver, 2024. "Transforming Healthcare Delivery with Advanced Air Mobility: A Rural Study with GIS-Based Optimization," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-22, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:13:p:5709-:d:1428661
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Bridgelall, Raj, 2023. "Forecasting market opportunities for urban and regional air mobility," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 196(C).
    2. Long, Qi & Ma, Jun & Jiang, Feifeng & Webster, Christopher John, 2023. "Demand analysis in urban air mobility: A literature review," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 112(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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