Ongoing research projects:

AISTEC: Assessment of aging infrastructure using digital technologies

Funding codes: 13N14657 bis 13N14660

Bridges form a critical part of transport networks and are permanently subject to significant strain. Current inspection practice requires specialists on site. Recent incidents involving major problems with motorway bridges have revealed the importance of detecting age-related damage early, before something happens. The AISTEC project team is developing an automated unmanned aerial system as a means of supporting uncomplicated software-assisted inspections. The system will be fitted with high-resolution cameras, enabling it to document cracks in concrete even when they are still small. The new methods will make it possible to monitor the condition of bridges and other infrastructure simply, more cost-effectively and more frequently.

More information (only available in German)

                
   
CroMa: Crowd management in transport infrastructures

Funding codes: 13N14530 bis 13N14533

Public transport strongly relies on railway systems. Due to constantly growing passenger volumes, new approaches are needed in order to increase the efficiency of railway and underground stations. The CroMa project is aimed at developing different measures, such as building regulations, suitable crowd management and innovative, cross-organisation action strategies, in order to make railway stations more robust during peak times. This work will be based on extensive research into pedestrian traffic in transport facilities and behaviour in dense crowds. Field studies at railway stations will be supplemented by empirical data on visitor management at large event facilities. The project’s findings are intended to help make transport facilities more efficient and to avoid crushing.

More information (only available in German)

   
   
KapaKrit: Optimisation of the traffic capacity of railway stations in crisis and disaster scenarios

Funding codes: 13N14619 bis 13N14621

Major railway stations are key hubs in the rail network, and stations play an important role in the event of large-scale evacuation of a region. However, special measures are necessary in order to cope with such large numbers of passengers. Using Dortmund Central Station as a case study, the KapaKrit project is investigating how structural, technical and organisational measures can ensure a temporary maximisation of a station’s capacity and how rail traffic can be planned to cope with the evacuation. The intention is that the findings will help determine where the limits lie and assess alternative approaches, such as using local suburban stations for evacuation.

More information (only available in German)

         
    
PREVIEW: Resilience of critical transport infrastructures – the example of waterways

Funding codes: 13N14697 bis 13N14701

Every year, some 2.5 million containers are transported on Germany’s waterways. Unfortunately, the artificial waterway infrastructure, which includes canals and locks, is particularly antiquated. The aim of the PREVIEW project is therefore to increase the resilience of Germany’s waterway infrastructure. To do this, the team are identifying and analysing the extent and consequences of damage in three danger scenarios: natural disaster, technical/human error and attack. The findings will benefit users and can be applied to the entire waterway infrastructure.

More information (only available in German)

   

   
ZEBBRA: Registration and assessment of the condition of bridge infrastructure based on radar data combined with intelligent algorithms

Funding codes: 13N14708 bis 13N14711

Heavy goods traffic and ageing processes are exerting increasing strain on bridge infrastructure, resulting in restricted use and losses to the economy due to traffic jams and redirected traffic. Structural damage is virtually impossible to detect at an early stage, which means that a bridge’s actual condition remains unknown for quite some time. Often, bridge renovation work is not performed until a very late stage. The ZEBBRA project aims to systematically register and evaluate the structural vibrations caused by vehicles crossing bridges. High-precision radar measuring devices will record the bridge’s movements precisely from up to 100 metres away, thus permitting an accurate assessment of the condition of the bridge. This will enable traffic and construction authorities to plan renovation work in a more long-term and targeted manner.

More information (only available in German)

          

Completed research projects:

ALBERO: Transport of alternatively powered vehicles on RORO ferries

Funding codes: 13N14682 bis 13N14688

In recent years, there has been a significant rise in the proportion of alternatively powered vehicles on the roads. With this in mind, North Sea and Baltic Sea ferry operators are also looking to provide more charging stations in a bid to remain competitive. The aim of the ALBERO project was to develop strategies and technologies to ensure safe transport of alternatively powered vehicles on ferries. The technical and organisational measures being devised include electric drives as well as alternative fuels such as natural gas and hydrogen. In addition to pre-sorting strategies during the vehicle-parking process, the project developed pilot special charging points with innovative hazard-detection and safety systems. It also drawed up training strategies for crews on the action to be taken in the event of an accident.  

More information (only available in German)

         

KOINOR: Concepts and procedures for the upgrading and retrofitting of fire protection equipment for underground structures

Funding codes: 13N14566 bis 13N14569

In the event of a fire in a tunnel, temperatures in excess of around 300°C can cause substantial structural damage. The KOINOR project has therefore worked on strategies for upgrading tunnels to enhance fire protection. Part of this work involved the development of a construction material that can be retrofitted and has a high level of fire resistance. The project’s findings have been demonstrated in practice in construction work on a real-life tunnel.

More information (only available in German)

         

SIKET: Evaluation and enhancement of safety procedures for railway tunnels

Funding codes: 13N14523 bis 13N14529

Safety procedures are in place for all railway tunnels in Germany, specifying the action to be taken to ensure protection against fire, carry out evacuations and perform rescue and extinguishing operations. These procedures are currently drawn up on the basis of individual expert reports and empirical data. The SIKET project analysed the aspects of safety procedures for railway tunnels. The aim was to produce suggestions for improvements to safety procedures, to include both organisational and structural aspects, based on scientific analysis and evaluation of evacuation and fume-spread simulations. The findings have been validated in numerous rescue drills and summarised in procedural recommendations.

More information (only available in German)