Comparative Analysis of eVTOL, Drone, and Ground Transportation Systems for Emergency Delivery of Blood-Derived Medication

This study explores the viability of an innovative aerial delivery system for blood-derived medications in emergency scenarios by comparing electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft and drones against the traditional ground transport methods. It also seeks to determine the most effective location for a delivery hub to enhance the efficiency of the transportation process. Commencing with the development of a risk map, the study uses probability distribution functions and geospatial and demographic data from Meta and OpenStreetMap to identify sensitive areas for aerial overflight. Therisk of catastrophic failure for eVTOLs was calculated using the Special Condition from EASA, and for ground delivery, regional statistics from the Piedmont area were utilized. The study then applies Dijkstra’s algorithm to establish the safest and most efficient routes for the aircraft, benchmarking these against other routing methods. For ground transportation, the NetworkX software was used to find the best paths. Cost assessments for each transport mode were conducted for three different delivery urgencies, taking into account both fixed and variable costs. Comparing the transportation methods, the study finds that eVTOLs stand out for urgent and medium priority deliveries due to their adherence to safety standards and quick delivery times, while cars are recommended for routine deliveries because of their lower operational costs. The study concludes with the optimal placement of delivery hubs, suggesting that eVTOL hubs be located near hospitals with the highest demand for blood-related drugs, and ground transportation hubs on the outskirts of Turin to adapt to the area’s road network. Overall, the findings of this study offer new insights into the logistics of healthcare delivery, focusing on crucial aspects such as delivery speed, cost-efficiency, and safety