Research fields
The aim of DLR's research is to make significant contributions towards solving transport problems in order to secure mobility for people and goods, protect the environment, preserve resources and improve safety and security, without neglecting cost efficiency. While taking into account these guidelines, the Transport Business Area is divided into the programme topics 'Terrestrial Vehicles', 'Traffic Management' and 'Transport Systems'. The programme topic 'Terrestrial Vehicles' is further separated into the research topics 'Road Vehicles' and 'Rail Vehicles'. The programme topic 'Traffic Management' covers the spectrum from road and rail traffic management through airport management to traffic management for public mass events and disasters. The programme topic 'Transport Systems' covers the research topics of transport development and environment. An overview of the work content and objectives of the programme topics is given below.
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Terrestrial Vehicles
Terrestrial vehicles, in particular road vehicles, provide the majority of transport services. This will not change in the foreseeable future. The same applies to the fundamental challenges arising therefrom, such as reducing energy consumption, reducing noise, carbon dioxide, particle and pollutant emissions, increasing the use of alternative fuels, and improving safety, security and comfort. In order to develop appropriate solutions DLR's Transport Business Area focuses on both road and rail vehicles and takes full advantage of the resulting synergies. The research topics of 'Vehicle Energy Systems', 'Novel Vehicle Structures' and 'Driver Assistance' offer immense potential for successfully tackling the challenges identified for road vehicles. The creation of visionary solutions for future rail vehicles is being pursued under the concept of a 'Next Generation Train'. |
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Traffic Management
A continuously increasing demand for transport and limited infrastructure form the scope for the central challenges of traffic management: to secure mobility for people and goods while preserving the environment and natural resources. The basic aim is therefore to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of infrastructure usage and simultaneously reduce pollution through innovative traffic management approaches. Road and rail traffic as well as airports with their intermodal node function are examined. Investigations into traffic management for public mass events and disasters have a specific application. Here, solutions to support the police and emergency services are being developed. |
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Transport System
The objective is to analytically fill the existing lack of a complete modelling and process chain from traffic demand and traffic flow to the effects of transport and make them predictable. Beyond the actual scientific contribution, decision-makers will be supported in evaluating traffic development and the effectiveness and efficiency of possible measures. In this context, DLR researchers working in this programme topics focus on five main tasks. |
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