Overview
Leisure related transport and the associated impacts on traffic were often seen as being of a disperse, statistically random nature. Therefore, only limited research efforts were made and it was rarely considered in the planning phase of transport systems. On the other hand, up to 50% of all passenger transport is estimated to be connected with leisure-time activities.
The federal transport research policy intends to further develop an efficient and environmentally friendly transport system that allows for ecologically and economically viable mobility.
The two major aims of the BMBF initiative, that complement each other in solving particular traffic problems, are:
- to gain deeper knowledge of the individual motivation and influencing factors of mobility patterns; and
- to sustainably tackle mobility shortcomings and problems with environmentally friendly, socially acceptable ways of leisure-time related traffic.
The programme is co-ordinated by the PT MVBW office at TÜV-Akademie Rheinland GmbH, on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.
The projects themselves are run by networks with various national participants, with in one case even Swiss university institutes being involved.
Funding
The funding rules described here refer to the 'Mobility and Transport' sector programme, which defines the procedures for all related sub-programmes.
Funding is provided for research and development as well as demonstration projects which aim to promote sustainable mobility and contribute to creating an efficient and safe transport system.
The most important ongoing funding activities include the lead projects for improving mobility in conurbations, which develop and demonstrate systems solutions for transport in big cities.
Furthermore funding is provided for project networks to increase the efficiency of freight traffic, to reduce environmental stress caused by traffic, particularly road traffic, and to increase road safety. As mobility and transport take place in a constantly changing social environment, relevant activities will include the interdisciplinary study of the social aspects of individual mobility.
All commercial and non-commercial institutions and individuals are eligible for funding. Depending upon the subject, these include in particular institutions of higher education, non-university research establishments and similar institutions, business enterprises, territorial authorities and associations. In some cases, calls for proposals are addressed to specific groups of potential applicants. The focus is on projects which involve co-operation by several partners who, in an interdisciplinary approach and on the basis of shared responsibility, develop highly innovative solutions for the above-mentioned funding activities and/or try to demonstrate their suitability for practical application and which, by involving or co-operating with science, industry and the planning sector, aim to ensure utilisation of the research results on the broadest possible scale.
Projects covered
Contact
(Projektträger Mobilität und Verkehr, Bauen und Wohnen des BMBF; PT MVBW)