Automation in transport is expected to have a massive impact on the design of the entire transport system in the coming years and decades. For example, public transport could become increasingly flexible and individualized, new user groups could be opened up for individual transport, or road freight transport could be made more flexible and cost-effective. However, expectations regarding the automation of transport are not unreservedly optimistic. For example, as a result of automation, mileage in private motorized transport and freight transport could increase at the expense of means of transport such as rail or even bicycles; a development that is not desirable for reasons of energy efficiency and climate protection. In view of the wide range of possible developments, decision-makers from both politics and industry need guidance in order to set the necessary course today and in the coming years.
On the way automatically, Source: DLR (CC-BY 3.0)
Project
The DLR-internal project aims to design a picture of the future for an automated, integrated transport system whose benefits for society, the economy and the environment are as great as possible. To this end, several overarching scenarios are being developed by combining individual innovations in passenger and freight transport on the road, rail, water and air transport modes and their accompanying framework conditions. The DLR Institutes of Transport Research, Transport Systems Engineering, Vehicle Concepts, and Airports and Air Traffic are involved in the project.
The Institute of Transport Research is leading the project and is responsible for the empirical work on user behavior, the development of consistent scenarios and the evaluation of the effects.
Goals
The aim of this project is to provide guidance for decision-makers, both in the targeted promotion of innovation for individual modes of transport and in the evaluation of mode-specific and cross-modal aspects.
Method
The project will develop consistent and plausible scenarios for an automated transport system. The basis for scenario development is provided by existing studies and our own empirical work on user behavior in passenger and freight transport. On the other hand, automated transport offers for passenger and freight transport are developed on the basis of existing scientific studies. The subsequent evaluation of the scenarios with regard to their effects on transport demand and the transport system, and subsequently on society, the economy and the environment, is carried out with the aid of transport models. These analyses form the basis for a subsequent evaluation of the scenarios and the development of recommendations for action.
Client
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Project partners
Participating institutes:
Institute of Transport Research Institute of Transportation Systems Institute of Vehicle Concepts Institute of Airports and Air Traffic
Project duration
from 01/2018 until 12/2021