Approved projects in the field of "Research on the protection of transport infrastructures"
Millions of people use Germany’s stations, airports, underground systems and roads every day. Transport systems are the lifelines of our society yet they can be thrown out of kilter by extreme weather conditions, terrorism or major accidents. To minimise that risk, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research funds projects in the field of “Protection of transport infrastructures.” The solutions developed include technologies for specific modes of transport, organisational measures and services as well as fundamental aspects relating to acceptance, ethics and data protection. The project teams comprise all of the stakeholders relevant to the solution in question, with members representing academia, industry, end users, operators of transport companies, emergency service personnel and security authorities.
Completed joint projects:
AISIS: Automated generation of information and protection of critical infrastructures in the event of a disaster
Funding codes 13N9603 to 13N9613
This project was based on a scenario in which critical transport infrastructures, particularly tunnels and buildings, sustained massive damage as a result of terrorist bombings. The team sought to develop a situation assessment system with which to determine the extent of the damage and the remaining load-bearing capacity of such structures. In the event of a crisis, the system will enable comprehensive information about the state of the damaged infrastructure to be communicated immediately.
More information (only available in German)
AURIS: Autonomous risk and information system for structural analysis and health monitoring of security-relevant buildings
Funding codes 13N11740 to 13N11747
The AURIS project was aiming to protect important infrastructures by integrating energy autonomous sensors into buildings’ supporting structures. The intention was that this will enable the building’s condition to be gauged and its stability to be assessed following incidents such as explosions, throughout the entire life of the building.
More information (only available in German)
Critical Parts: Optimising security processes for access to security-sensitive areas at commercial airports
Funding codes 13N9781 to 13N9786
The project team sought to create an integrated, systemic process/technology solution to foster cooperation between airport and security personnel as well as passenger and staff acceptance of security measures. The aim was to ensure that the necessary security checks are conducted faster, more reliably and in a manner acceptable to those involved.
More information (only available in German)
FluSs: Airport security system
Funding codes 13N10047 to 13N10058, 13N11263 and 13N11732
This project was centred around the design of a comprehensive security system for a large, modern airport, with reconnaissance, control and security measures that differ according to the threat assessment. The measures are implemented in security levels that are aligned with and follow on from each other. The goal was to build a system architecture using “layers”, i.e. with security measures increasing in number and stringency as one moves from the outer layer (the airport’s surroundings) to the inner layer (the core area of the airport). This approach also facilitates early detection of risks.
More information (only available in German)
INFRANORM: Standardisation and specification potential in the field of transport infrastructure protection
Funding codes 13N10914 to 13N10915
Active participation in the standardisation and specification process eases products’ and services’ way onto the market. With this in mind, the project examined ten research projects dealing with protection of transport infrastructures. The team looked at the preliminary research findings and prepared them for the standardisation and specification process. The findings were published in the form of “DIN Specifications”, which can be advanced to DIN standards in the medium term. The aim was to put the foundations in place, from an early point of future applications’ development, for feasible solutions that could gain market acceptance.
More information (onyl available in German)
ORGAMIR: Cross-organisational hazard prevention to protect human life and critical infrastructures by optimised prevention and reaction
Funding codes 13N9623 to 13N9629
The goal was to produce a comprehensive solution for improving rescue and protection activities when events such as accidents or fires cause hazardous substances to be released in underground train networks. In a crisis, the system would enable emergency service personnel to assess the current and potential levels of contamination and thus to issue targeted instructions and information to all parties involved.
More information (only available in German)
ORGAMIRPLUS: Cross-organisational hazard prevention to protect human life and critical infrastructures by optimised prevention and reaction
Funding codes 13N11523 to 13N11526
With underground trains being used by millions of passengers every day, the ORGAMIRPLUS project aimed to simulate how hazardous substances spread through complex underground stations. Using this simulation, passengers and emergency service personnel can find out which emergency exit routes are still usable.
More information (only available in German)
SinoVE Management: Security in open transport systems and railway management
Funding codes 13N10090 to 13N10098
Passengers and freight can be affected by incidents such as violent crime, fire or terrorist attacks, irrespective of the mode of transport being used. This project sought to create a state of the art, comprehensive system solution to protect human lives and freight. Based on transport process management data (including descriptions of surroundings, train routes and aircraft handling) and recording of passenger flows, the system was designed to support efficient, prudent security management for tackling a range of risk scenarios.
More information (only available in German)
SiVe: Improved security of transport infrastructures
Funding codes 13N10026 to 13N10031
Globalisation has brought new risks and increasingly complex security systems for all transport infrastructure operators. In response, this project was set up to develop an expert system for comprehensive risk management that considers both business indicators and ethical and cultural values. The system can simulate and analyse threat scenarios so that responses to crises can be optimised and appropriate guidelines for action can be drawn up.
More information (only available in German)
SKRIBT: Protection of critical bridges and tunnels as part of roads
Funding codes 13N9636 to 13N9645
Bridges and tunnels in the road network are critical to security. If they are damaged or destroyed, the repercussions for neighbouring roads and individual road users are dramatic and the cost to the economy can be huge. The goals of this interdisciplinary project were to identify potential risks for such structures (taking into account the current and future threat situation), to define the most effective protection measures and thus to make such structures considerably less vulnerable.
More information (only available in German)
SKRIBT Plus: Protection of critical bridges and tunnels
Funding codes 13N9636A to 13N9645A
With more than 38,000 bridges and tunnels in Germany’s trunk road network alone, the SKRIBTPLUS project was aimed to develop effective ways of assessing damage quickly and reliably following a fire or explosion. The project was building on the results of its predecessor, SKRIBT.
More information (only available in German)
V-SICMA: Sensitisation, assessment and action training on security measures in public transport companies as an illustration of critical infrastructures
Funding codes 13N9491 to 13N9493
This project set out to conduct systematic research to identify action required from public transport company employees when confronted with risks and to develop effective training methods and systems, including interactive simulation (using 3D visualisation). The intention was to raise these employees’ awareness of security risks and enable them to detect (terrorist) risks and take the appropriate action. To this end, the team conducted an in-depth analysis of risks to public local transport and compiled effective countermeasures.
More information (only available in German)
VeRSiert: Security in public transport at mass events
Funding codes 13N9703 to 13N9709
Large-scale events, such as concerts or live screen events, are challenging scenarios in terms of logistics and, in particular, ensuring security on public transport. To enhance protection for spectators at major events and to optimise the organisational processes, the project applied an interdisciplinary approach, comprising processes, training strategies and IT components.
More information (only available in German)
VESPER: Improving the security of passengers on ferries
Funding codes 13N9649 to 13N9655
This project was primarily about problems in maritime security. It dealt with passenger transport as well as taking an in-depth look at security issues involved in car and HGV (heavy goods vehicle) transport on ferries. These security issues mainly have to do with access to ferries and the associated risks such as the possibility of weapons or hazardous substances being carried on board or suspected criminals being smuggled on vessels. The objective was to devise solutions for better preventive measures on board and in port and to improve the action taken in the event of a crisis.
More information (only available in German)
VESPERPLUS: Improving the security of passengers on ferries
Funding codes 13N11919 to 13N11925
Ferries are a significant component of the public transport system. The goal of the VESPERPLUS project was to design security models that can be integrated into existing processes at ports and on ferries without causing major disruption to normal routines. The project therefore developed a new method for analysing and compensating ports’ weak points in terms of vulnerability to terrorist threats. The findings were made available to shipping companies and port authorities. After the project came to an end, the risk analysis method was adopted by all German federal states with ports in 2014.
More information (only available in German)