Assessment of New Technologies for Mobility (Main Topic 402)

Which potentials and risks are inherent in new technological developments?

New digital technologies are developing at rapid pace. Most often, they facilitate miscellaneous tasks or pave the way for new opportunities in data processing. The assessment of digital technologies can support the agencies within the BMDV Network of Experts and the BMDV in general in quickly identifying those technologies’ potentials and challenges and in incorporating them in their decision-making. Activities within the main topic Assessment of New Technologies for Mobility include:

• identification of technology trends;
• analysis of the environment and interdependencies of relevant trends;
• cross-modal assessments of the digital technologies; and
• visualisation of the results (e.g. in technology roadmaps, radars or clusters).

These analyses are carried out as a rolling technology forecast, i.e. developments in overlaps between the transport and digital sectors are constantly being reviewed and evaluated. The technology roadmaps illustrate the expected development of different technologies pointing out ways for government agencies to exploit and actively shape technology advancements. The experts within this main topic also test the adoption of selected emerging digital technologies in a pilot project.

Unlocking new digital technologies

The main topic deals with the opportunities offered by “virtual/augmented reality” solutions and explores ways to tap their potential in the maintenance of transport infrastructure assets. These technologies open up new possibilities in the illustration of virtual contents and in the input and provision of information, for example. Virtual reality solutions allow users to move in completely computer generated environments, such as virtual construction works. Augmented reality experiences blend physical reality with virtual contents, enabling them, for example, to use virtual augmentations of real life to visualise the intended position of a component and to provide the basis for a variance analysis.

The scientists also explore related technological advancements and trends, such as solutions combining virtual and virtually augmented realities with artificial intelligence. These might be used to assist the inspection of structures in the future. The so-called Building Information Modelling (BIM) is another technology considered to be a potential support tool for the participating institutions within the BMDV Network of Experts. BIM is a digital solution enabling a networked and continuously updated approach to planning, executing and managing buildings and other structures. A working group within the main topic is currently preparing the legally secure adoption of this approach.

Strengthening links is not just the goal of the participating agencies, though, but also a mission for the automotive sector that is called to interconnect vehicles and their environment. A well-integrated transportation system allows authorities to better monitor traffic flows and intervene when necessary, e.g. in the case of hazardous situations, risks of congestion or roadside checks. Against this background, the researchers determine the state of the art and the potential of application of Vehicle to Everything (V2X) communication, for example in the context of roadside checks: Via V2X communication technologies the lorry drivers could be instructed to stop at a nearby rest area where their driving times and rest periods can be inspected. One of the first steps in this context is to partly adapt the concept of cab signalling known from railway transport (trackside signals are electronically communicated to be displayed in the driver’s cab) to make it fit for road haulage.
Automated driving is becoming ever more popular and important. The researchers within the BMDV Network of Experts, too, address this topic by developing a standardised training procedure for the artificial intelligence technology of semi-autonomous surface vessels. They also analyse how decision systems based on artificial intelligence can be evaluated and set up recommendations for the approval process of automated vehicles. Prior to these tasks, they thoroughly explore the political, legal, technical, ethical and socio-cultural circumstances and frameworks regarding autonomous systems.

Collaboration and practical benefits

The main topic incorporates the needs as well as the knowledge of the other topic areas within the BMDV Network of Experts. Research studies carried out within the main topic thus enable the participating institutions to acquire new skills in the area of digital technologies. Moreover, the standardised guidance drawn up by the experts involved ensures the potential of digital technologies to be tapped in a cross-modal way. In a later stage the lessons learned will also be shared with other scientific institutions.

Coordination:

Sebastian Witzler
Federal Office for Goods Transport (BAG)
sebastian.witzler@bag.bund.de

Participating institutions:

• BALM
• BSH
• BASt
• DZSF/EBA