MUSE creates practical guidelines for sustainable urban drone operations

Building on the performance framework and toolset, the MUSE project has released a dedicated set of User Guidelines and Recommendations designed to help stakeholders translate data insights into meaningful action.

These guidelines are based on real-world case studies conducted in Madrid, where different drone operation scenarios—such as parcel delivery and emergency services—were tested using the MUSE toolset. The results were reviewed by urban planners, drone operators, and policy experts during targeted workshops and stakeholder consultations.

Key recommendations include:

• Adjusting drone flight paths and altitudes to reduce noise and visual impact in sensitive areas;
• Timing operations to avoid periods of high outdoor population presence;
• Considering demographic and land-use data when planning take-off and landing points;
• Integrating U-space planning with local mobility and land-use strategies.

“The guidelines give stakeholders clear, data-backed strategies to balance innovation with quality of life in European cities,” noted the MUSE team.

These recommendations are particularly valuable for local authorities, U-space traffic managers, and operators seeking to align their drone services with future environmental and social standards. They also offer a foundation for integrating MUSE’s indicators and tools into future regulatory frameworks.

Our final technical deliverables are going to be published soon!