Transportation

Studies performed by the European Union forecast a growth in freight traffic by 70 percent until 2025. Another study conducted by Shell even predicts that the global amount of cars will be doubled by 2030. Both studies can be transferred to other means of transportation. The expected growth of the transport sector requires the optimum use of scarce and limited resources, such as the "traffic routes" (airspace, shipping routes, urban transport networks, highways...), taking into account global factors such as reduction of CO2 emissions, minimising energy consumption, noise reduction and improving safety. Future mobility concepts require the development of "system of system" (SoS) where heterogeneous classes of subsystems are linked to sector specific systems which then have to work together. Europe and especially Germany are leading in the development of complex systems, but how can Germany maintain its position as a technology leader and secure future economic growth? The innovations required to solve these issues are, to 80%, based on new information and communications technologies.

OFFIS as Designer

Since it was founded, the R&D Division Transportation has achieved recognised expertise by working together closely with industry in the transportation sector. The aim is to contribute to the development of dependable, co-operative and assistive systems for future mobility concepts. This leads to increased demands regarding safety, security and dependability of these systems as well as also their ability to intuitively and efficiently interact and cooperate with humans. The characteristics of these systems are principally realised via networked embedded systems (so-called ‘cyber physical systems’) consisting of sensors, electronics and software. In order to ensure this, the R&D Division Transportation has been working on all levels of design of these systems focussing on the development of methods, tools and technology to support industry in this sector.