Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

The aim of the research project is assessing the demand of new modes of transport. The main focus is on air taxis. In order to research future mobility behaviour, it is not enough to simply know the current mobility behaviour of travellers. We also need to ask them what decisions they would make if new technologies such as air taxis were available. To do this, we are working with an online questionnaire that builds on the smartphone mobility survey “Städte in Bewegung” (StiB). For selected trips made by StiB participants, we want to find out whether they would use an air taxi for these journeys.

The online questionnaire builds on the survey “Städte in Bewegung” (StiB) that takes place from April 7 to July 27 2025 in the two cities of Dresden and Berlin. During that period, participants record their daily trips with a smartphone app. Following the app-based survey, some long-distance trips (>15 km) will be selected to be used for mode choice questions in the follow-up online questionnaire on new forms of mobility. Participants of the app-based survey will thus be presented with selected trips they actually made before.

The data from the online questionnaire and from the app-based survey will be used in pseudonymised forms to build models to predict the demand of conventional modes and air taxis in the future.

Based on the survey results we can gain insights about the benefits air taxis could have from an individual perspective, but also about the positive and negative effects on society and the environment and about the economic viability. Our research results can help to ensure that politicians and society can make well-informed decisions about the use of this new technology as soon as it is technically available.

Various companies and research institutions are currently working on the development of air taxis. Our research is looking at the effects this new technology would have on mobility systems so that politicians and society can make well-informed decisions about the introduction air taxis as a new mode of transport.

The online questionnaire on new forms of mobility is part of a research training group funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG).

You may stop at any time, but please note that when you return, even with your token, you will restart from the first question. To avoid losing any answers, we strongly recommend completing the questionnaire in one sitting, it takes about 20 minutes.

Research has demonstrated a significant relationship between individual attitudes and transportation choices. By collecting data on personal attitudes, we can analyse the reasons for mobility choices and create more accurate transport models.

All preference data is analysed in an aggregated form, we never use these responses to evaluate any single individual.

In the survey, we use a random selection of long-distance trips (over 15 km distance), that the participant has recorded on the StiB app before. For each trip, respondents see a choice set of three alternatives:

• The mode they actually used
• Another conventional mode they did not choose
• An air taxi option

The shown costs are all inclusive. They include tickets, costs for fuel, parking etc. for all parts of the trip for one person. For all the mode choice questions, consider that you are doing the trip alone.

The costs in the mode choice questions are not meant to be an exact calculation. We purposefully variate costs to observe how participants react to different prices. Even if prices seem unreasonable for you, consider the listed prices when you answer the questions.

Given the current state of technological development and the regulatory situation in Germany, we do not expect fully autonomous air taxis to start operating in Germany soon. Accordingly, all our questions assume operations with a human pilot on board.

In this study we assume air taxis operate every 10 min on fixed origin-destination routes. Every seat must be reserved 30 minutes in advance through the operator’s booking system (online or at a vending machine at the vertiport i.e. the take-off and landing site). You choose your route and departure time, book ahead, and then show up at the vertiport four your scheduled flight. 

No. If you have a car available in the shown situation, assume driving your private car; if not, assume that you will have access to a carsharing vehicle or a rental car in that situation.

No, air taxis operate only from certified vertiports, which are specially equipped and approved landing sites that meet all regulatory and safety requirement. They cannot touch down in private backyards, streets, or any unprepared fields.

You need to use a conventional mode (e.g. walk, public transport) based on distance and your preference.

Security meets the highest standards and is comparable to traditional air travel.

In this case you begin or end your trip directly on the main mode (for example, if your car is parked in your garage or the bus stop is just outside the door).

Only choose this option if none of the listed alternatives are feasible for you.

We use the data to create models that forecast the demand for air taxis, if they become available in the future, and to analyse people's attitudes towards this new technology and mobility in general. The data will only be published in aggregated form. We guarantee that no conclusions can be drawn about you personally from publications.

Your e-mail address from the study registration for “Städte in Bewegung” will be deleted at the earliest possible date, at the latest at the end of the survey follow-up (end of October 2025).

All person-related research data will be deleted at the earliest possible date, at the latest at the end of the research project (end of April 2028). If you would like to have your answers deleted after completing the questionnaire, please contact , stating the access code used.

Further information on data protection related to the online survey on new forms of mobility can be found here (in German): tu-dresden.de/in-bewegung/studien/nmf/dse

Participants in the survey on new forms of mobility receive a 10 € voucher as a reward.

If you have taken part in our travel survey, we will send you a link to a short form by e-mail during the survey.

Once you have completed the form, we will then send you the voucher by e-mail.

Zur Erfüllung der gesetzlichen Nachweispflicht gegenüber dem Fördergeber (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft e. V.) ist neben Ihrer E-Mail-Adresse auch die Angabe Ihres Namens notwendig. Die Datenverarbeitung erfolgt ausschließlich zu diesem Zweck.

Weitere Informationen finden Sie in der dazugehörigen Datenschutzerklärung, abrufbar unter https://tud.link/af7k1q

To redeem your Wunschgutschein, go to the website https://app.wunschgutschein.de/.

You can find further information in the redemption conditions at: https://www.wunschgutschein.de/pages/einloesebedingungen

We will be happy to help you with any questions about the distribution of the vouchers.

You can reach us by e-mail at:

You can also reach us by telephone on the toll-free number: 0800 357 7 753 (Mon-Fri 9 am - 3 pm)

We will be happy to help you with any questions about the survey on new forms of mobility. 

You can reach us by e-mail at:

You can also reach us by telephone: 0351 463-36587