Transport

The currently existing traffic system is largely overloaded and faces increasing difficulties absorbing the rising amount of traffic. This chronic overload increasingly jeopardises the competitiveness of the German and European economy. Yet high traffic volumes also affect the environment, reduce people’s quality of life and clearly bear substantial risks of hazards and accidents. Hence, the Transport programme targets three overriding goals: maintaining mobility, protecting the environment and conserving resources and improving safety levels.

In order to achieve those goals, the DLR develops resolution methods for earth-bound vehicles, traffic management and the traffic system. In doing so, specific traffic expertise is combined with existing competencies from Aeronautics and Space as well as Energy.

Central topics in the development of next generation road and rail vehicles are the optimisation of vehicle structures and energy systems, the minimising of driving resistances and wear, the improvement of comfort and, at the same time, the reduction of negative impact on the environment.

Individualised assistance systems are core issues, when the aim is to further improve safety and to support traffic participants as regards specific situations. Innovative road, rail and airport management solutions contribute towards improving the effectiveness and efficiency of infrastructure usage.

Special traffic management information systems and tailor-made decision-making aids provide key support for the emergency services in the event of major incidents or disasters. With the integral observation of traffic development and environmental effects, new paths in investigating the traffic system are being accessed.