The Institute of Transportation Systems

Employee workshop 2023
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We research technologies for the intermodal connected and automated transport of the future on road and rail. In interdisciplinary teams we are developing innovative operating concepts and methods in Braunschweig and Berlin. Our goal is to ensure climate-neutral and sustainable mobility in cities and regions.

Our researchers are designing a transport system that connects vehicles, traffic participants and infrastructure with one another. This enables mobility services based on automation, which are integrated into intermodal traffic-management systems for the intelligent control of traffic. Digitalisation, automation and artificial intelligence are important tools for this purpose.

The close cooperation within the DLR enables us to utilise synergies with the research in the fields of aerospace and energy. Our institute works in an application-oriented manner with partners from science and industry and orientates its research in accordance with the requirements of politics and society.

These videos provide an initial overview of our topics and issues:

The transport system of the future is digital - and the DLR is helping to shape it

The transport of the future will be automated, connected and electrified. Vehicles will communicate with each other, buses will travel without drivers and traffic lights will be organised according to the current traffic flow. At the same time, the transport system must function safely and efficiently for all road users. This can only be achieved by digitalising the entire transport system. The Institute of Transportation Systems contributes its expertise in the fields of data processing, simulation and predictive maintenance to the digitalisation of transportation.

Cooperative vehicles and intelligent infrastructures

In road traffic conflicts can only be resolved and trusting co-operation can only be achieved through good communication. Cooperative vehicles and intelligent infrastructures are a good approach to this. The Institute of Transportation Systems is researching this in many projects. Important topics include platooning and cooperative lane changes as well as prioritising emergency vehicles by communicating with traffic lights. The aim is to lay the foundations for safe, co-operative traffic in the future.

How can we trust automated vehicles?

Automated driving functions and intelligent assistance systems have become an integral part of our everyday lives. But how can we trust automated vehicles? The answer from the Institute of Transportation Systems is clear: the testing of automated driving functions must also continue to develop so that it can guarantee safety. Simulation is becoming increasingly important for this, but testing in real traffic is also essential in order to validate the results of the simulation.

Innovative solutions for the transport of the future

In the future, not only will there be more automated and connected vehicles on the roads, but services and mobility offerings will also change. The Institute of Transport Systems is developing new solutions for future transport that will be safer and more efficient than today. The Institute also conducts research in the areas of rail transport and local public transport. Specifically, this involves, for example, autonomous shuttles, digital stops, dynamic winging and railway automation. The focus here is on people who want to flexibly adapt mobility services to their needs.