WASHINGTON D.C. (News4Utah)- Traffic headaches could soon be a thing of the past as lawmakers examine the future of transportation.
“Riding a flying car and coming out of that traffic and leaping ahead of everyone. Well it might be on the way,” said Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Texas.
The concept of flying cars is taking off with scientist, researchers, even companies like uber…which hopes to elevate their ride-sharing program in the next five years.
Eric Allison is the Head of Uber’s Aviation Programs known as uberAir.
“We are creating uberAir because we believe aerial ridesharing has the potential to improve urban mobility,” he said.
Supporters say flying cars can improve traffic, deliver products and allow emergency vehicles to arrive faster. But like drones and other aircrafts, researchers face challenges such as air traffic control, reducing noise and environmental impacts.
“Separately, there continues to be concerns about the safety of helicopters and other rotorcrafts and current understanding of privacy and safety concerns of the general public,” said Dr. John-Paul Clarke, College of Engineering Dean’s Professor at Georgia Institute of Technology.
Engineers are working with federal agencies and lawmakers to determine what regulations are needed to make personal air travel safe.
“We don’t need a patchwatch of rules and regulations for different areas. We need a uniform set that everybody can identify with,” said Rep. Ralph Norman, R-South Carolina.
What once seemed like fiction may soon be reality for commercial use. But creators say personal cars that fly are a ways down the road.
