Improving risk assessment processes via new SESAR-JU project

The newly launched U-space Air and Ground Risk Models Enhancement (U-AGREE) project is aiming to improve drone operations’ risk assessment processes and adapt them to modern operational scenarios. The project is part of the SESAR Joint Undertaking programme and is coordinated by the Universitat Politècnica de València.

“Before the use of drones in urban areas can be achieved, comprehensive traffic management services (U-space) need to be implemented,” project participant DLR Unmanned Aviation Research says. “The establishment of U-space requires clear safety and performance standards for both drones and the services provided. These are based on airspace risk assessments which evaluate the potential damage from incidents or unexpected events.”

The current standard, Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA) is widely used, but DLR says this may have limitations when dealing with modern drone technologies and U-space services. 

“One of the drawbacks of the current SORA is that its risk models are qualitative. This makes it difficult to develop a tool to help operators automate the risk assessment process. To tackle this problem, the U-AGREE project will create new quantitative, mathematical air and ground risk models. These models will also reflect the possibility of multi-dimensional harmful effects on safety, security, privacy and the environment posed by drone operations. The U-space services will also be included as risk mitigators.

“U-AGREE will develop and validate models through simulations and will also develop a methodology to define safety and performance requirements for UAS and U-space services and the communication, navigation and surveillance systems on which they rely.”

DLR’s Institute for Flight Guidance is leading the development of advanced mathematical air risk models and contributing expertise from its research into bird and drone collision impacts. 

U-AGREE is scheduled to run through 2026. As well as the Universitat Politècnica de València and DLR, the participants are Eurocontrol, EuroUSC Italia S.r.l., ENGage S.r.l., Collins Aerospace, ENAIRE, CRIDA, INECO and Cranfield University.