Developing balanced debate: The case of logistics drones.

Abstract

Misconceptions prevail in some aspects of transport planning. This can have the effect of stymieing sustainable transitions through the perpetuation of beliefs which are often contradictory to empirical evidence. Challenging these beliefs is a necessary part of research dissemination and ultimately planning for new transport provision. This paper provides insight from the E-Drone research project. This multi-disciplinary project has been tasked with understanding the energy saving potential of the integration of drones into logistics networks, the implications for communities and future regulatory requirements. The use of drones for logistics purposes is shown to have low salience amongst the UK public, therefore, debates on this potential transport future are yet to develop. Over the summer of 2022 E-Drone researchers used virtual reality to introduce a logistics drone use case within local contexts. The views of 241 members of the public were recorded and analysis of these responses identifies both where assumptions are made, for instance, in respect of expected environmental benefits, and where greater clarification is sought, for example, in terms of the level of risk involved. As researchers we are tasked with responding to this with clear and balanced information to facilitate the development of informed debate in the face of aspirations for Urban Air Mobility. This is challenging as this potential transport future does not have obvious relevance to people’s current lives. It requires the consideration of technical and social implications which are difficult to condense to fit the time constraints associated with public engagement. E-Drone researchers have responded through the development of a workshop approach which employs games and virtual reality, supported by more typical approaches to ensure that available evidence is readily accessible. The tools and techniques have wider relevancy for communicating and generating debate on changes to local transport provision.