In 2024, Bauhaus Luftfahrt and its partners advanced the understanding of multimodality, with a particular emphasis on integrating air, rail, and urban and regional air mobility (UAM-RAM) to foster a more sustainable and interconnected future.
One of the first projects was the UAM-RAM initiative, funded by the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy. This project explored how air mobility could complement ground transportation – particularly in remote areas – by improving connectivity and supporting the development of more efficient booking systems.
Building on this vision, the now-completed MODUS project, co-funded by the European Union, tackled one of the biggest challenges: creating a truly interconnected transport network. By demonstrating how shifting 2 to 3 % of air traffic on short routes to high-speed rail could reduce delays and emissions, MODUS provided a clear path toward efficient, door-todoor travel. The research predicts that by 2040, factors like regulations, journey planning, and booking systems will be both crucial and achievable, while green travel and accessibility, though important, may be less feasible.
Another recently completed project focused on a study of passenger demand, examining shifts in travel behaviors, demographics, and preferences. The findings offered valuable insights that align with the Flightpath 2050 goal of enabling four-hour, door-to-door journeys across Europe. The research highlights that trends such as urbanization, technological adoption, demographic shifts, and changes in education, mobility, and household patterns will significantly shape Europe by 2050. This study was funded by the European Union.
The ongoing MultiModX project, co-funded by the European Union, builds on previous initiatives by focusing on optimizing air-rail integration. Among other solutions, it is developing a decision-making tool to enhance the coordination of rail and air schedules through iterative path assignment. This approach takes into account passenger flows, infrastructure, and sensitivities to reduce travel times and costs.
