Overview
The enlargement of the EU together with progressing globalisation and competition is driving the need for better use of resources in the expanding transportation industry. In road traffic there is considerable potential for increasing transport sustainability in terms of safety, fluency, efficiency, infrastructure protection and energy saving.
The consideration of multiple interactions between aspects of traffic safety will allow focused improvements.
The main ideas in ASSET are centered on the development and implementation of a holistic approach to improve safety and to achieve more efficiency in road transport:
- driver and operator;
- vehicle and traffic;
- infrastructure and environment;
- regulation and control.
This approach unites the most important safety-related categories into a complete system, generating a number of dialectic interdependencies between the main safety elements, networking and interdependent processes.
Key factors are:
- improving driver knowledge and human behaviour aspects;
- increased use of modern technologies and automation for support and supervision;
- introduction of innovative measures for safe and sustainable infrastructure;
- application of modern traffic control and networking;
- achieving overall-effectiveness in the analysis and management of system complexity.
- Integration of the main transport elements for increased safety (Driver, Vehicle, Infrastructure and Control).
- Creation of a practical holistic approach generating an overall safety theory to manage the complex interactions.
- Chains of interdependencies and processes will be analysed to identify critical parameters influencing road safety.
- Developing and operating different test sites covering the technologies and applications of ASSET supported by road users and administrations.
- Building a competent team of experienced and multidisciplinary experts (Kybernetikwerkstatt).
Driver Behaviour:
The understanding and attitude of drivers towards traffic regulations and dangerous road conditions has a major impact on safety. The result will be safer driving.
Safe and Sustainable Infrastructure:
Deficient road maintenance and repair is a significant factor to accidents and costs. Much road damage can be attributed to overloaded trucks. New processes will be developed to effect pavement maintenance and repair. The result will be less traffic disruption and less accidents.
Traffic Control and Cybernetics:
New procedures will be developed to achieve better dynamics and more efficient traffic flow. The holistic approach will integrate various types of data. Methods for enforcement of overloaded and unsafe vehicles will be improved. The number of unsafe vehicles and accidents on road will be reduced with faster and more effective response to emergency.
International Test sites are planned:
Integrated safety station (DE), Test modules (AT), Mobile safety applications (FI), Remote safety monitoring (F).
International Cooperation & Dissemination:
An ASSET forum 'Saver Roads' will be arranged efficient dissemination will be established for ASSET results including a forum and two transcontinental co-operations with Africa (Tanzania) and Asia (India).
Funding
Results
The ASSET concept comprises the following main aspects:
- to develop a new "System Theory of Traffic Safety";
- to deduce from the theory, practical measures needed for an integrated safety system;
- to develop and integrate technologies & architectures including a "Holistic System Design";
- to integrate different important and useful applications and built test sites;
- to investigate functions, performances and operations and optimise the systems for future use.
Innovation aspects
The main ideas in ASSET are centered on the development and implementation of a holistic approach to improve safety and to achieve more efficiency in road transport:
- Driver and operator
- Vehicle and traffic
- Infrastructure and environment
- Regulation and control
This approach unites the most important safety-related categories into a complete system, generating a number of dialectic interdependencies between the main safety elements, networking and interdependent processes.
Strategy targets
1.4 Acting on transport safety: saving thousands of lives