Section 72-1-217 - Department of Transportation study items(1) The department shall carry out transportation studies described in this section as resources allow.(2)(a) The department shall study items related to advanced air mobility as described in this Subsection (2).(b) The department shall study vertiport locations and infrastructure, including:(i) identification of suitable locations for vertiport infrastructure and parking infrastructure for vertiports in metropolitan areas;(ii) identification of commuter rail stations that may be suitable for vertiport placement; and(iii) identification of underutilized parking lots and parking structures for vertiport infrastructure placement.(c) The department shall study best practices and implementation of advanced air mobility technologies, including:(i) seeking input through community engagement;(ii) state and local regulations;(iii) unmanned aircraft system traffic management; and(iv) weather reporting and monitoring for advanced air mobility safety.(d) The department shall study unmanned aircraft traffic management infrastructure, including: (i) unmanned aircraft system traffic management development, implementation, procedures, policies, and infrastructure; and(ii) obtaining a full understanding of unmanned aircraft system traffic management, including: (A) designation of airspace for advanced air mobility;(B) creation of geographic categorical areas;(C) identifying the appropriate number and location of advanced air mobility sensors; and(D) other state specific details regarding unmanned aircraft system traffic management.(e) The department shall study the creation of an advanced air mobility sandbox, including:(i) potential locations for the sandbox testing area and desirable attributes of a suitable sandbox location;(ii) requirements to create a geographical advanced air mobility testing area and the parameters for the types of technology that may be utilized in the testing area; and(iii) testing and studying different types of advanced air mobility transportation of manned and unmanned aerial vehicles, including: (B) aerial vehicles that carry cargo, including medical cargo;(C) commercial aerial vehicles; and(D) public transportation aerial vehicles.(f) On or before September 30, 2023, the department shall provide a report to the Transportation Interim Committee of the department's findings from the study items described in Subsections (2)(b) through (2)(e).(g) The department may only use existing funds to cover the expenses incurred from the study of items described in Subsections (2)(b) through (2)(e).Added by Chapter 366, 2023 General Session ,§ 1, eff. 5/3/2023.