Exploring Safety Culture in Urban Air Mobility: System of Systems Perspectives Using Enterprise Architecture

Abstract

Urban Air Mobility (UAM) is an emerging industry marked by technological advancements, new operational contexts, and regulatory frameworks. This article examines how to improve safety management in UAM operations by adopting a just culture approach from a system of systems perspective. Acknowledging the critical role of front-line workers, especially in the early stage with piloted vehicles, the ecosystem-level approach comprehends multiple providers, operators, and services. Employing an enterprise architecture methodology, we address the challenge of fostering a learning-oriented environment amidst diverse organizational perspectives and stakeholders’ interests. This study identifies key capabilities, functions, and resource exchanges within and across organizations by strategically leveraging architectural views and systemic visualizations. A unified safety committee is discussed and recommended to facilitate consensus among stakeholders, including regulatory bodies, thus paving the way for industry-wide improvements. Findings contribute to evolving safety protocols in UAM operations and serve as a blueprint for integrating cutting-edge methodologies to drive systemic enhancements.