Large-scale research facility Future Worlds of Mobility (mozu) creates more knowledge for new transport solutions
- With mozu, DLR is developing a large-scale research facility that makes it possible to experience and analyse complex traffic situations under realistic seasonal conditions - for example in winter.
- High-resolution 3D visualisation, noise and odour simulation as well as environmental and weather effects create realistic traffic scenarios for different user groups.
- New technologies, means of transport and street spaces are experienced, tested and evaluated with people for new mobility concepts.
- Transport, simulation, mobility concepts
Traffic patterns on roads, footpaths and cycle paths change significantly, especially in winter. How do the routes and behaviour patterns of users change when it gets dark before the end of the working day, when you can see your own breath in the cool air, when vehicles roll silently across the intersection in the first snow or when there is the smell of roasted almonds on every corner? How can the mobility of tomorrow be planned in such a way that it is used equally by everyone?
In future, questions such as these can be investigated in the German Aerospace Centre's (DLR) new large-scale research facility, the Future Worlds of Mobility (mozu). With mozu, DLR is expanding its expertise in transport research, particularly in the areas of participation, acceptance and perception, in order to combine the findings in design concepts and recommendations. The system can simulate new mobility worlds in virtual reality environments and incorporate additional factors such as temperature, sound and odour for users.
From research to practice - how mozu accelerates planning processes
The DLR Institute of Transport Research uses mozu to test how people experience new technologies, means of transport and road spaces - before elaborate real-life laboratories and prototypes are built. In doing so, mozu not only serves the purpose of pure research, but also supports companies, local authorities and politicians in increasing the acceptance of new mobility solutions and finding out in advance what this change will do to traffic.
In the virtual world, we observe the test subjects in order to collect data on orientation, typical behaviour, feelings of safety or pain points. For example, new mobility concepts can be tested on a December evening under different weather conditions and optimised at the planning stage. Road users also experience the traffic environment from different perspectives. This makes it possible to simulate all relevant angles, such as a snow-covered junction or an approaching electric bus. This makes it possible to test whether new autonomous capsule vehicles, buses or micro-shuttle concepts are barrier-free and suitable for children. The data obtained flows directly into the design of means of transport, access and stop systems and helps to evaluate the entire transport system.
Smell, hear and feel how we need mobility
Highly individualised issues such as the perception of safety and hygiene, acceptable walking distances, the number of barriers on the route or how much proximity to other people is okay can be investigated with mozu. For example, how should mobility hubs be designed to enable everyone to switch between modes of transport quickly, safely and easily?
"We don't just want to show what a mobility concept looks like, but how it feels," explains Dr Matthias Heinrichs, Head of Large-Scale Research Facilities at the DLR Institute of Transport Research. "Mozu is more than virtual reality - it is a new planning process that uses digital mobility spaces to create acceptance," he summarises.
Shaping the mobility of the future
With mozu, DLR is creating a tool for investigating new mobility solutions that focuses on people in addition to the question of technical feasibility. The knowledge gained makes it possible to optimise planning processes at an early stage, reduce costs and assess the social impact in all urban and rural areas that are facing the challenges of climate change and growing traffic volumes.
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