Abstract
“Air population” is defined as the total number of people flying above the earth at any point in time. It is distinct and separate from the population still physically connected to earth. Real-time air population can be estimated by using an extensive network of ground sensors based on ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast) that precisely locate the location of aircraft in real time. An aircraft determines its position via GPS and broadcasts it along with its identification, aircraft type, altitude, and speed. The total number of passengers can then be estimated by multiplying the number of seats for each aircraft by the current seat occupancy rate. Using this method, the estimated air population is determined by state and region for the airspace over the USA. In the interactive, real-time mapping system, maps are provided to show total air population, the density of air population (air population/area of state), and the ratio of air population to ground population. Among other things, the analysis shows that while high ground population states also have a high air population, and “flyover” areas have a higher ratio of air population to ground population.
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Peterson, M.P., Hunt, P. & Weiß, K. Mapping Air Population. J geovis spat anal 1, 4 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41651-017-0005-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41651-017-0005-3