Here is the archive with news from 2025.

BOKU Measurement Bike in Action in Burgenland

The first test day of our research project SARA – "Safe Cycling at Any Age" – took place on August 29, 2025, in Rust at Lake Neusiedl. From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., individuals aged 6 and older had the opportunity to demonstrate their cycling skills. For this purpose, a parking lot in Rust was transformed into a cycling course for one day. Participants were tasked with completing various practical challenges, such as target braking, left and right turns, slalom riding, and emergency braking. To assess and analyze both subjective and objective cycling competencies, a variety of methods were employed, including surveys, expert observations, video recordings, and measurement sensors attached to the bicycles.

Among the bicycles used was the measurement bike from the Institute for Transport Studies at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). This bike is equipped with sensors to measure speed, braking forces, steering angles, and pedaling cadence. A total of 23 out of the 97 participants completed their test rides using the BOKU measurement bike. Additionally, physiological parameters such as heart rate and skin conductance were recorded for these participants.

It was an exciting and insightful day and a fantastic opportunity to collect valuable data on the cycling skills of Austrians.

This project is funded by the Austrian Road Safety Fund (VSF).

Invitation to the Citizen Science Design Workshop: Shaping Mobility Solutions Together

How can we make our daily journeys more environmentally friendly, safer, and more efficient? This is the central question of our project IMPETUS – and the best part: the public is actively involved!

We warmly invite you to join our Citizen Science Design Workshop and work with us to develop sustainable mobility solutions. Share your ideas and experiences and help shape the future of mobility.

Workshop Details

When: Friday, October 3, 2025, 3:30 PM–6:30 PM
Where: Campus Wieselburg, Zeiselgraben 4, 3250 Wieselburg (Building A, 1st Floor, Consumer Science Center)

What to Expect

In the Design Workshop, we will collaboratively design the content and structure of a mobility app that records daily routes and identifies areas for improvement in the transportation system. Your ideas and needs will directly influence the development process.

The workshop is the first step in an exciting process that includes the following stages:

  • App Launch: Citizens will record routes, critical intersections, and hazardous spots.
  • Analysis Workshop: Together, we will analyze the collected data and identify best-practice examples.
  • Energy System Optimization: Researchers will calculate cost and CO₂ savings potential based on the findings.
  • Lessons Learned Workshop: Reflection and feedback on the project results and discussion of possible next steps.

Who Can Participate?

Anyone over the age of 18 who lives or travels in Lower Austria (for work or leisure) and is motivated to actively shape the transportation system in their region is welcome to join.

Participants will receive a €30 compensation for their time and effort.

Get Involved!

Together, we will develop sustainable and practical solutions for better mobility – directly based on the real-life experiences of local communities. Your knowledge and engagement are key to the success of this project.

Register now: Register online here

If you are unable to secure a spot in the workshop, we will keep you updated on the project’s progress and future opportunities to get involved.

We look forward to your participation!

29.08.2025

Presentation at ISDC 2025: Tackling Transport Poverty in Austria

We are proud to announce that our research team—Astrid Gühnemann, Paul Pfaffenbichler, and Olivia Gold—presented their latest findings at the International System Dynamics Conference (ISDC 2025) on August 5, 2025.

Their presentation, titled "Using Causal Loop Diagrams and Leverage Points to Address Transport Poverty in Austria", focused on the challenges of transport poverty—how insufficient transport options limit access to essential services such as employment, education, and healthcare, thereby perpetuating cycles of inequality.

Key Insights from the Research

The team used semi-structured interviews and qualitative content analysis to identify the key variables, feedback loops, and time delays that contribute to transport poverty. These insights were visualized through Causal Loop Diagrams (CLDs), which help to understand the complex dynamics of the issue.

By applying Meadows' concept of leverage points, the research explored potential interventions to create more equitable and sustainable mobility systems. These interventions aim to improve access to essential services and promote fairness in transport systems.

Why This Matters

Transport poverty is not just a mobility issue—it directly impacts quality of life, access to opportunities, and social equity. Addressing this challenge is essential for building a fairer and more sustainable future.

We extend our gratitude to everyone who attended the session and contributed to the meaningful discussions. We look forward to continuing the conversation and working together on solutions to this critical issue.

22.08.2025

Welcome to the Institute for Transport Studies: Dr. MSc. Denissa Purba

We are delighted to welcome Dr. MSc. Denissa Purba as a new postdoctoral researcher at our Institute for Transport Studies! She is starting her work with us today and will enrich our team with her international expertise and commitment to innovative research.

Academic Background

Dr. Purba brings an impressive academic career:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the prestigious Bandung Institute of Technology in Indonesia.
  • Master’s and PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, one of the world’s leading universities in this field.

Her solid knowledge in civil engineering and her international experience make her a valuable addition to our institute.

Her Role at the Institute

Dr. Purba will be working on the research project SEE-FAR, which focuses on the complex impacts of automation and electrification in freight transport. The goal of the project is to develop sustainable and cost-efficient solutions for freight transport.

We Look Forward to Working Together!

We warmly welcome Dr. MSc. Denissa Purba and look forward to working with her on innovative solutions for the future of transport planning and mobility.

18.08.2025

Farewell and Best Wishes to Martyna Fidler

Last week marked Martyna Fidler's final in-person working day at the Institute for Transport Studies (IVE), BOKU Vienna. Since joining us in 2020, Martyna has been an indispensable team member, significantly contributing to projects and research in the fields of virtual reality and sustainable mobility.

In autumn, Martyna will take on a new challenge at the University of Žilina. While we will miss her expertise and dedication at the institute, we are excited to continue collaborating with her on topics related to virtual reality.

Key Contributions at BOKU

Martyna was involved in several groundbreaking projects, including:

  • AI-Based Optimisation of Incentive Schemes for Sustainable Mobility (2022–2025), led by Astrid Gühnemann.
  • BMK Endowed Professorship for Digitalisation and Automation in Transport and Mobility Systems (2019–2025), led by Yusak Susilo.

Selected Publications

Martyna’s research has left a lasting impression, with notable publications such as:

  • "Establishing an External Validity of Virtual Environments in a Micro-Mobility Context" (2025, Transportation).
  • "Is Physical Travel Becoming Obsolete in the Era of the Metaverse?" (2022, Österreichische Zeitschrift für Verkehrswissenschaft).
  • "Modelling Risk Perception Using a Dynamic Hybrid Choice Model and Brain-Imaging Data" (2021, Transportation Research Part C).
  • "Cycling in Virtual Reality: Modelling Behaviour in an Immersive Environment" (2020, Transportation Letters).

A Personal Farewell

Martyna enriched our team with her expertise, enthusiasm, and innovative mindset. She will be missed not only as a colleague but also as a person. Her dedication and ability to approach complex topics with creativity and precision have left a lasting mark on the institute.

Looking Ahead

We are confident that Martyna will be just as successful at the University of Žilina and wish her much success and joy in her new role. At the same time, we look forward to continuing to collaborate with her on exciting projects in virtual reality and sustainable mobility.

Martyna’s work has not only advanced virtual reality technologies in transport research but also provided important insights for designing sustainable and safe mobility systems.

We thank Martyna for her outstanding work and wish her all the best for her future endeavors!

07.08.2025

International placement in transport planning

International placement in transport planning

City and Traffic: International Students Workshop on Transport and Urban Engineering

The international internship "City & Traffic" was held for the first time in 1996 (then called "Seminar for Traffic and Urban Planning") at the University of Applied Sciences Erfurt. Since then, it has taken place 28 times every year in July, now in 14 different cities. During the internship, proposals for improving real (street) areas with specific traffic-related problems are developed over the course of one week.

This year, for the first time, the Czech city of Zlín hosted the event. From July 6 to 12, 2025, more than 30 students and supervisors from six countries gathered there. Six intentionally internationally mixed small groups worked for four days to create posters with problem analyses and solution proposals for street sections and intersections specified by the host city. On the fifth day, the results were presented to the entire group as well as to representatives of the local urban traffic planning department and critically discussed.

The result posters of the group led by Wolfgang J. Berger from the Institute of Transport Studies are shown as an example. For him, this year's workshop marked a special milestone: it was his 25th time participating as a lecturer.

21.07.2025

End-of-Semester Celebration 2025: Connection and Team Spirit

On June 27, 2025, the end-of-semester celebration of the Institute for Transport Studies took place. Despite rainy weather, the event was a complete success and offered a wonderful opportunity to conclude the summer semester together.


The celebration began with a ride on the Heurigen-Express, which took the participants through the picturesque vineyards of Vienna. The first stop was at Buschenschank Mayer am Nußberg, where the focus was on exchange and reflection on the past semester in a relaxed atmosphere.


A special highlight of the afternoon was a quiz about Austria, organized by the head of the institute, Univ.-Prof. Dr. Astrid Gühnemann. With great commitment and team spirit, the participants tackled the exciting questions, which not only provided entertainment but also strengthened team cohesion.


At the end of the day, a joint walk led to the Flamingo restaurant at the Marina. There, the evening continued in a convivial setting, and it was a pleasure to also welcome the institute's external lecturers.
The end-of-semester celebration offered an ideal opportunity to review the past semester, strengthen team spirit, and prepare for the challenges ahead. A heartfelt thank you goes to everyone who was involved in organizing and carrying out this successful day.


The Institute for Transport Studies wishes all students and staff a relaxing summer break and looks forward to a successful new semester!

Children's University 2025 at BOKU – Experiencing and Understanding Mobility

This week, as part of the Children's University 2025, BOKU once again opened its doors to young explorers – and the Institute of Transport Studies participated with two exciting courses.

"At 80 Through the Streets?" – for children aged 10 to 12
What does road traffic feel like from the perspective of an 80-year-old person? In this seminar, children were able to experience it firsthand – using an aging suit, a wheelchair, and a white cane. It quickly became clear how challenging public spaces can be for older adults or people with mobility impairments.

Using the app "What’s up?", the children documented their own impressions as pedestrians, noting what works well in public spaces and where improvements are needed. Measuring street cross-sections with distance meters was also part of this hands-on exercise.

The children experienced how exhausting and unsafe public spaces can feel for older people – and developed an understanding of why accessibility and consideration are so important.

"What Drives You?" – for children aged 7 to 9
This workshop focused on sustainable mobility. The children shared their own school routes and reflected on their choice of transportation. At interactive stations, they learned:

  • how different modes of transport impact the environment and health,
  • how to read bus schedules and route information,
  • and demonstrated their skills on a scooter course.

The correct behavior when crossing streets was also discussed.

Our conclusion: Enthusiasm, curiosity, and lots of smart questions!
A big thank you to all the children for participating – and to the entire team for making it happen!

Technical Excursion of UBRM to St. Pölten and Tulln on June 26, 2025

The excursion on June 26, 2025, was organized and led by Prof. Astrid Gühnemann, Paul Pfaffenbichler, and Olivia Gold. The organization team was supported by our student assistant, Charlotte Margaretha. A total of 25 students from the Bachelor's program in Environmental and Bio-Resource Management participated.

The journey to the first program point at the Niederösterreichische Verkehrsorganisationsges.m.b.H. (NÖVOG) at the Alpenbahnhof operations site in St. Pölten was made using the Westbahn and the St. Pölten city bus. There, we were warmly welcomed by Stefan Bruntsch, the Head of Planning. After an introductory presentation on the organization of public transport in Lower Austria and the structure and tasks of NÖVOG, Philip Schroll presented NÖVOG's activities in the field of rail transport. This was followed by a presentation by Britta Fuchs on the micro-public transport projects Mostviertel West and Weinviertel West. After a short break, we had the opportunity to visit the workshop of the Mariazell Railway. To conclude the morning program, Susanna Hauptmann provided us with an overview of the diverse activities of Radland GmbH in the field of active mobility.

Via St. Pölten's main train station and Tullnerfeld, we traveled by public transport to Tulln. Despite a slight delay, there was still time for a short lunch break at the main square before we met Cornelia Hebenstreit at Tulln's town hall. After a presentation on the planning process and procedure for the redesign and depaving of Nibelungenplatz, we had the opportunity to experience the site together with Ms. Hebenstreit.

While some of the students returned directly to Vienna afterward, others joined us in reflecting on the day at the Alpenvereinshaus Gastgarten Donaublick. After enjoying some drinks and excellent spreads (thanks to the friendly and attentive team), everyone managed to return to Vienna in time before the approaching storm.

In conclusion, we would like to extend our gratitude to all the hosts for their interesting and exciting insights into the practical aspects of very different parts of the mobility and transport system.

Roman Klementschitz as a Speaker at the 11th International Conference on Transport (ATINER)

Dr. Roman Klementschitz gave a presentation on June 24, 2025, on the topic: "The Perception and Attitude of Users and Non-Users Towards Demand-Responsive Public Transport Based on Three Implementation Examples in the State of Salzburg." The presentation was based on the results of a project funded through the Endowed Professorship for Digitalization and Automation in Transport and Mobility Systems (DAVeMoS).

The event took place at the premises of ATINER, a worldwide association of academics and researchers dedicated to education and research, based in Athens. The mission of the Athens Institute is to serve as a forum where academics and researchers from around the world can come together to exchange ideas about their research and discuss future developments in their respective fields.

About 3,000 years ago, Homer first referred to such gatherings as symposia, a term that is still commonly used in many languages today to describe academic meetings. In classical Athens of the 5th century BC, these academic gatherings reached their peak. In this tradition, ATINER's events see themselves as continuing this legacy.

Yusak Susilo as Invited Distinguished Speaker at the 3rd International Symposium on Cities and Sustainable Transportation

Professor Yusak Susilo was honored to serve as one of the invited distinguished speakers at the 3rd International Symposium on Cities and Sustainable Transportation, organized by the College of Transportation Engineering at Chang'an University in Xi'an, China.

During his presentation, Professor Susilo talked about creating smart mobility hub as a game changer, a results of the SmartHubs project which was funded through the JPI Europe funding scheme.

The symposium brought together renowned speakers from across the globe, including representatives from the US, UK, Korea, France, South Africa, Singapore, Japan, Australia, the Netherlands, and various regions within China. This diverse gathering provided a platform for exchanging ideas and advancing sustainable transportation solutions worldwide.

The Institute for Transport Studies at BOKU at hEART 2025

The 13th Symposium of the European Association for Research in Transportation (hEART) took place in 2025 at the Technical University of Munich, bringing together leading experts and early-career researchers from across Europe. The conference served as a platform to discuss the latest advancements in transportation research, foster scientific exchange, and develop solutions for the challenges of modern mobility systems.

The Institute for Transport Studies at BOKU was proud to actively participate with a strong team:

  • Georgia Charalampidou, MEng
  • Franz-Xaver Rupprecht, Dipl.-Ing. B.Sc.
  • Olivia Gold, Mag.phil. MSc
  • Astrid Gühnemann, Univ.Prof. Dr.rer.pol.
  • Yusak Susilo, Univ.Prof. Dr.

This year’s conference focused on a wide range of forward-looking topics, including:

  • Digital Twins in Transportation: Using digital replicas to improve planning, operations, and resilience of transport systems.
  • Climate-Resilient Mobility: Strategies to adapt transportation infrastructure to the impacts of climate change.
  • Shared and Autonomous Mobility: Integrating autonomous vehicles into public transport systems.
  • Behavioral Adaptation to New Mobility Services: Understanding user responses to technologies like Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS).
  • Decarbonization Pathways: Policies and technologies to achieve carbon neutrality in transportation.

The BOKU team presented four research papers at the conference, covering diverse and impactful topics:

  • Generating Round Trip Patterns from OD Matrices (Franz-Xaver Rupprecht)
  • Simulating the Impacts of Shop Opening Times on Travel Patterns (Georgia Charalampidou)
  • Transport Poverty and Commuting in Vienna (Olivia Gold, Astrid Gühnemann)
  • The Impacts of Super-Apps on Time-Use and Activity Participation (Yusak Susilo)

Participating in hEART 2025 provided our team with valuable insights into cutting-edge research and innovative methodologies, including:

  • The application of Digital Twins to simulate and optimize transport systems under various scenarios.
  • Best practices for designing climate-resilient infrastructure capable of withstanding extreme weather events.
  • The potential of shared autonomous vehicles to reduce emissions, alleviate congestion, and improve accessibility.
  • Understanding user behavior to design mobility services that align with societal needs and preferences.
  • Policy frameworks and technological innovations to accelerate the transition to low-carbon transport systems.

The knowledge and connections gained at hEART 2025 will directly contribute to our ongoing research and teaching activities. These insights strengthen our commitment to developing sustainable, inclusive, and innovative mobility solutions.

We are proud to be part of the hEART community and look forward to continuing our contributions to the advancement of transportation research.

Cyclist’s Breakfast at the BOKU Health Day

Cyclist’s Breakfast at the BOKU Health Day

As part of the BOKU Health Day on June 12, 2025, a Cyclist Breakfast was organized at BOKU for the first time. All employees and students who came to BOKU by bike that day were treated to breakfast (bread sponsored by the company Ströck) and a friendly chat about cycling and other topics with Sandra Wegener, Valerie Jeepjua (Institute for Transport Studies), and Kirsten Sleytr (Healthy BOKU).

The initiative was linked to two projects currently running at the Institute for Transport Studies (IVe):

The BOKU Mobility4Health project (funded by the Austrian Health Promotion Fund, project lead: Sandra Wegener) focuses on connecting active mobility and health through health-promoting everyday movement. Corporate mobility management meets workplace health promotion in this project, which has led to a great collaboration with Kirsten Sleytr from Healthy BOKU. Following the Cyclist Breakfast, additional measures and activities are planned to encourage BOKU employees to adopt an active commute. Planned initiatives include a campaign featuring cycling role models and the introduction of so-called "Bike Buddies" (experienced everyday cyclists who accompany cycling "newbies" on their commute to BOKU).

While the BOKU Mobility4Health project targets employees, the Interreg GREENPATH project (project lead: Oliver Roider) focuses on the mobility of students. A cycling challenge encouraged students to use their bikes more often for their commute to BOKU, which was met with great enthusiasm.

Further activities are planned for both projects.

Non-Motorized Adventures: The 24th Cycling Excursion of the Institute for Transport Studies

Under the motto "non-motorized with bike and boat", the 24th Cycling Excursion of the Institute for Transport Studies at BOKU University took place on June 6, 2025. Organized by the institute and led by Michael Meschik, who has been teaching the course "Walking and Cycling" (856.110) since the 1994/95 academic year, this excursion has been a tradition since 1997. It has only been canceled twice due to flooding and twice more due to COVID-19.

Starting at the northern end of the Danube Island, the participants (this year, 13 students) cycled in perfect weather through Langenzersdorf and Bisamberg to the ferry crossing. The ferry took them from the left bank in Korneuburg to the right bank in Klosterneuburg. The route continued upstream along the Klosterneuburg canal. After crossing the Danube again at the Greifenstein power plant, the group reached the "Gießgang" in the Stockerau wetlands. Here, the highlight of the day awaited: a four-hour canoe trip on the old Danube arm, paddling upstream. The trip included a well-deserved lunch break, optional swimming, and a short gymnastics session to loosen up tired muscles.

The return journey from Stockerau led the group back on bicycles along the B3 state road through Spillern and Leobendorf, offering scenic views of Kreuzenstein Castle, before arriving in Korneuburg. Along the way, participants received explanations about transport infrastructure and local points of interest.The day concluded with a final discussion at the "Gasthaus zur Linde" in Korneuburg, where the group reflected on the various walking and cycling facilities they had observed, shared their impressions of the excursion, and enjoyed a well-earned meal. With at least 45 kilometers of cycling (many participants covered even more due to their individual journeys to and from the meeting point) and the canoe trip, the excursion provided not only valuable insights into sustainable mobility but also an opportunity to engage in physical activity and counteract sedentary habits.For the journey home, participants were guided to the Korneuburg train station, while some chose to cycle back to Vienna. The overwhelmingly positive feedback and the excellent atmosphere make us look forward to the 25th Cycling Excursion next year!

Auf dem Foto sind lächelnde Studenten-Teilnehmer mit ihren Fahrrädern
In the photo, there are student participants with their bicycles by a river. They are taking a break and looking at the camera.
Students are swimming in a boat on a river. The photo is taken from behind.
Students are on the road with bicycles

Exkursion Verkehrswesen zur A4 Ost Autobahn + Wolkersdorf 05.06.2025

As part of the course 'Excursion on Transportation Systems,' the destination changes each time. This time, the excursion led to the A4 East Motorway and then to Wolkersdorf in Lower Austria.

The excursion on June 5, 2025, was organized and led by DI Dr. Wolfgang J. Berger. Nearly 20 students participated, primarily from the bachelor's program in Environmental Engineering Sciences, but also from the programs in Civil Engineering and Water Management, Landscape Planning and Landscape Architecture, as well as Environmental and Bioresource Management.

The entire morning was dedicated to the A4 East Motorway, where a comprehensive renovation spanning almost 7 kilometers between the Prater Junction and the Schwechat Junction is currently in full swing. During a breakfast snack at the construction office (thanks to ASFINAG), ASFINAG colleagues DI Schwarz and DI Panazzo (both BOKU alumni) professionally explained the entire multi-year process of project development as well as numerous construction details. Particularly impressive was the description of the many ecological compensation measures, such as the creation of nearly 1 hectare of biological areas, the construction of state-of-the-art water protection facilities, the planting of almost 3,000 trees (which must be maintained for at least 10 years), and even the installation of bat nesting boxes. The construction of an accompanying bike path is also part of the project. These measures account for over a quarter of the total project cost of just over 100 million euros.

Afterward, the group spent nearly two hours on the construction site itself, where, amidst intensive construction activity directly next to the heavily trafficked motorway lanes, a future wider (and safer) roadway is being completely rebuilt. As we were told, the existing road surfaces are also being renewed piece by piece during precisely timed night operations.

After a hearty lunch in Pillichsdorf, the afternoon continued in Wolkersdorf at the Lower Austria Road Construction Department 3, which is affiliated with a road maintenance depot. There, the head of the road construction department, DI Nikola Kopitz (who also teaches the master's elective course "Road Operations – Road Maintenance"), provided an overview of the diverse activities of the road service. In Lower Austria alone, nearly 14,000 kilometers of state roads must be maintained, including winter salting and snow removal, summer mowing and maintenance of shoulders and slopes, the upkeep and repair of roadways, sidewalks, and bike paths, as well as the maintenance, cleaning, or replacement of traffic signs, guideposts, and guardrails.

This was followed by a guided tour of the road maintenance depot, where Ms. Kopitz and road maintenance supervisor Josef Siebenhandl thoroughly explained practical workflows with the numerous devices and machines. A truck and a Unimog were available for participants to sit in and even operate the snowplow. The hall containing tons of stored road salt was also impressive. Additionally, three areas on the premises were shown that were recently constructed based on the latest findings of the sponge city principle. The development of the trees in these areas is being closely monitored.

The professional conclusion of the excursion was a visit to the shared space zone in Wolkersdorf. Through Josef Siebenhandl's detailed explanation, it became clear why this area is also referred to as the "Square of Generations." Apart from the school, deliberately mixed residential units for both young families and seniors were gradually built there, and the entire square was equipped with cozy recreational spaces.

The excursion ended with a relaxed (and very filling!) hour at a Wolkersdorf wine tavern.

Challenges of a socially just energy and mobility transition

On June 3, 2025, the evening event of the BOKU Energy Cluster took place at the Wilhelm Exner House under the title "Challenges of a Socially Just Energy and Mobility Transition." The event focused on issues of social vulnerability, distributive justice, and societal participation in the energy and mobility transition.

Paul Pfaffenbichler and Olivia Gold from the Institute for Transport Studies presented their contribution, "Climate Neutrality 2040: Socially Just Solutions for Mobility- and Energy-Poor Households in Austria," as part of the TransFair-AT project. The TransFair-AT project develops strategies to achieve climate neutrality in Austria by 2040 in a socially just manner, with a focus on supporting vulnerable groups through fair and participatory solutions in the fields of energy and mobility.

In addition to other engaging presentations by experts from academia and practice, the event featured a panel discussion moderated by Katherina Gugerell, as well as opportunities for networking and informal exchange during the concluding buffet. The event attracted significant interest and sparked lively discussions.

You can watch all the lectures at this Youtube Link (in German): (389) Energiecluster: Herausforderungen einer sozial gerechten Energiewende - YouTube

EMOJI School Workshops in the Pilot Regions in Upper Austria and Styria

In the project 'EMOJI – Independent Mobility of Young People in Rural Regions,' the surveys on the mobility needs of children and adolescents were scheduled for the end of May 2025. These were conducted as part of school workshops in the EMOJI pilot regions of Schwanenstadt/Upper Austria, Trofaiach/Styria, and Sinabelkirchen/Styria.

In Schwanenstadt, we visited the middle school and the polytechnic school. In Trofaiach and Sinabelkirchen, we worked in the middle schools. The 2-hour workshops included discussions about the students' mobility behavior and mobility needs in their daily lives and leisure time. The survey itself was conducted using paper questionnaires (for 1st and 2nd grades) and an online survey (for the older students). Additionally, maps were used, on which the students could mark their most frequently or favorite visited places. Over the course of three days, we worked in 26 classes (in teams of two) and reached around 500 children and adolescents. Alongside gaining valuable insights for the project and the challenge of standing in a classroom, we also had a lot of fun with the kids.

The team from the Institute of Transportation consisted of Juliane Stark, Sandra Wegener, Tobias Dürhammer, Sophie Etzl, and Lucia Koller, while the team from the Institute of Landscape Development, Recreation, and Conservation Planning included Karolina Taczanowska, Fruzsina Stefan, and Hannah Streinesberger.

More information at: young-mobility.at/emoji/

Welcome to the Team, Wanrong Hu!

This week, we are pleased to welcome Wanrong Hu as the newest member of the DAVeMoS team at the Institute for Transport Studies (IVE), BOKU University.

Wanrong holds a master’s degree from the Technical University of Munich and a bachelor’s degree from Sun Yat-sen University. She will be contributing to the SeeFar project, funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF). Her work will focus on evaluating the impacts of freight electrification and automation technologies in Austria and Bavaria.

Reflecting on her new role, Wanrong shared:
"I am excited to join the Institute for Transport Studies at BOKU and to contribute to the SeeFar project. I look forward to collaborating with such a talented team and exploring innovative solutions for sustainable freight transport."

We are delighted to have Wanrong on board and wish her a successful and inspiring journey with us.

AI-Centive & KI.M Present: Advancements for Greener Mobility

We are pleased to announce an exclusive event where the AI-Centive and KI.M projects will present their latest advancements and achievements in the field of sustainable mobility.

Date22nd May 2025
Time10 – 12 am
LocationDIO, Hintere Zollamtstraße 17, 1030 Vienna

 

Event link: https://aicentive.eu/event/ai-centive-ki-m-project-showcase-advancing-sustainable-mobility/

Join us as we explore innovative AI-driven solutions that contribute to a greener and more efficient transportation system. Key topics will include:

  • Intelligent Incentive Systems – Encouraging sustainable mobility choices with the ummadum-App.
  • Eco-friendly Traffic Optimization – Reducing congestion and emissions with smart data analytics.
  • Seamless Multimodal Transport – Enhancing user experience by integrating AI in public and shared mobility.
  • Energy-efficient Mobility Solutions – Leveraging AI to optimize energy consumption in transportation.

This event offers a unique opportunity to gain insights from leading experts, network with industry professionals, and discuss the future of sustainable mobility.

the first networking meeting of the project “Gesund unterwegs”

On Thursday, May 15, 2025, the first networking meeting of the projects funded by the Fonds Gesundes Österreich (FGÖ) in the project call “Gesund unterwegs” Active Mobility & Healthy Streets took place at the BOKU. In addition to the presentation of the 15 projects, the focus was on getting to know each other and exchanging ideas.

All projects focus on the implementation of measures in municipalities to promote active mobility and improve the quality of public spaces, with a particular focus on the health aspect. 
Verena Zeuschner from the FGÖ was the program manager for the event. The scientific monitoring and cross-project evaluation are being carried out by Juliane Stark and Sandra Wegener from the Institute of Transportation on behalf of the FGÖ as part of the AMOHS project.

Information at: www.aktive-mobilitaet.at/

Photo credits: Juliane Stark

Kick-off of our research project SARA

March 2025 saw the kick-off of our research project SARA - Safe cycling at any age, funded by the Austrian Road Safety Fund VSF. The project is led by sicher unterwegs . The project partners are the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, the Vienna University of Technology, the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology and nast consulting ZT GmbH.


What do we want to do?


The aim of the project is to record the skills and knowledge of cyclists of different age groups with regard to safe participation in road traffic. Cycling skills are to be systematically investigated using multi-method (psychological, technical, pedagogical and medical) survey instruments. The planned study pursues an interdisciplinary approach in order to holistically record the strengths and weaknesses profiles of different age groups with regard to their cycling skills. The results will help to develop targeted age- and gender-specific measures to improve cycling skills at the training and awareness level as well as on the infrastructure side, thus contributing to the reduction of cycling accidents.
 

We are looking forward to it.

Another good week for Driving Urban Transitions Partnership funded project unlock15. They had an opportunity to participated in Empowering Urban Transitions: Accessibility by Proximity in the 15-Minute City hosted by TUM Accessibility Planning where they had an opportunity to present recent outputs from DREAMS project, and then followed by their first in-person unlock15 consortium meeting in Augsburg and in Munich

The 13th International Conference on Transport Survey Methods

The 13th International Conference on Transport Survey Methods

The 13th International Conference on Transport Survey Methods, held in the beautiful city of Da Nang, Vietnam, was a significant gathering of transport researchers, policymakers, and practitioners from around the world. Under the theme "Covering Blind Spots of the Transport Datascape in Times of Turbulence," the event provided a unique platform for advancing survey methods that are crucial for understanding and shaping transport planning in an ever-changing world.

This year’s conference was marked by a strong presence of innovative teams aiming to push the boundaries of transport research through a variety of presentations and workshops. Highlights included a series of insightful poster and oral presentations, as well as collaborative workshops addressing some of the most pressing issues in the transport sector.

A heartfelt thank you goes to the organizers, especially Mario Cools and his team, as well as to all participants for the stimulating discussions, inspiring contributions, and the opportunity to connect with colleagues and engage with the global transport research community.

IVe Successfully Organizes the Winter Seminar of German-Speaking Transport Institutes

This year, the Institute of Transport Engineering once again took part in the week-long winter seminar of the German-speaking transport institutes. As the IVe was responsible for organizing the event this time, the anticipation of the meeting in Tweng was particularly high.

The evening seminars focused on the professional exchange between doctoral students and professors. The seminar also provided a valuable opportunity to improve the subject-specific English and German language skills of non-native speakers.

In addition to the seminars, the participants used their free time for numerous winter activities such as skiing, cross-country skiing and hiking. The nearby Obertauern ski resort offered the best conditions for this.

Farewell to Bella, Fita, and Taki

We are saying goodbye to Bella, Fita and Taki. Bella and Taki have completed their PhD defense whilst Fita is waiting for hers. Now it is the time for them to return to Indonesia and serve as lectures in their home institutions. We wish them all best wishes – and they will be dearly missed.

Welcome to the Institute: Professor Kay Axhausen and Liting Yuan

We are welcoming Professor Kay Axhausen and Liting Yuan to the institute. Professor Kay Axhausen from ETH Zürich will stay with us for 4 months as our Guest professor. Liting Yuan, is joining us as our new PhD student/Postgraduate Research Assistant who will continue the development of our VR environment for Vienna city.

Systems Thinking and Transport Workshop 2025

After an Introduction and Reflection on System Dynamics and System Thinking in Transport

Following an introduction and reflection on System Dynamics and System Thinking in transport by Astrid Gühnemann, Paul Pfaffenbichler, Gillian Harrison, and Simon Shepherd, the event continued with two engaging sessions on freight transport, which also included an in-depth discussion. After the morning session, our dedicated cafeteria team provided excellent catering.

In the afternoon, the focus shifted to personal mobility, with two additional presentations and a lively discussion on this topic.

Throughout the event, poster walls showcased various research findings and insights, encouraging constant exchange among participants.

The evening concluded with a social gathering at the Ulrich Restaurant in Vienna's 7th district, offering an excellent opportunity for further discussions and networking in a relaxed atmosphere.

Day Two: Interactive Workshop on Mobility Hubs

On the second day, the RU team, represented by Guy Peter van Nifterik and Peraphan Jittrapirom, conducted an interactive workshop on planning mobility hubs. The workshop utilized group model-building as a method to elicit values and foster collaboration.

Link to LinkedIn Post by Peraphan Jittrapirom:
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/activity-7301355828014432257-9F9W?utm_source=social_share_send&utm_medium=member_desktop_web&rcm=ACoAAFF-3toBWGuJk46w3fOmpPAadljF707wsYw

FSV-Infonachmittag

Current Issues in Traffic Planning, Road Design, and Traffic Safety

Date: Monday, March 31, 2025
Time: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: 1040 Vienna

For the seventh time, the Austrian Research Association for Road-Rail-Traffic (FSV) is hosting the information afternoon Current Issues in Traffic Planning, Road Design, and Traffic Safety. As in previous years, the topics are deliberately broad in scope.

The topics include:

  • the relationship between liability, technical clauses, existing infrastructure protection, and technical regulations,
  • the handling of the terms safety, ease, and fluidity of traffic in legal proceedings,
  • current data on stopping compliance at stop signs,
  • experiences with photovoltaic systems along transport routes,
  • and the requirements for planning underground sponge city systems.

Wolfgang J. Berger, in his role as head of the FSV working group on Planning and Traffic Safety, played a key role in curating the content and will moderate the event.

Target Audience:
Everyone interested in issues of traffic planning and traffic safety is warmly invited to participate – including students, who can benefit from a 50% discount on the regular price!

Further Information and Registration:
[Link to the program / registration]

We look forward to your participation!

Traffic solutions for Eisenstadt - Final presentation of the seminar on creating a traffic concept on January 29, 2025

The seminar “Creation of a traffic concept” kicked off in October at the start of the 2024/25 winter semester. During an all-day field visit, the city's Director of Construction, master builder DI Werner Fleischhacker, himself a graduate of BOKU, welcomed the students and supervisors to the historic “Pulverturm”. In the months that followed, two dedicated teams of students from different fields of study developed innovative transport and mobility concepts for Eisenstadt under the direction of Ass.Prof. DI Dr. Michael Meschik and Assoz.Prof. PD DI Dr. Juliane Stark.On January 29, 2025, the students presented their results as part of a poster exhibition in the municipal council chamber. In addition to the Deputy Mayor and the City Councillor for Construction, more than 30 interested parties attended, including representatives of the municipal council, the Burgenland state government, the Burgenland Mobility Center and members of the bicycle lobby. Several transport planners and local residents were also present.One team of students focused in particular on the redesign of the Jewish quarter and developed visions for the area between Wertheimergasse, Jerusalemplatz and Museumsgasse. The second team focused on safe cycle traffic routing along Gölbeszeile and at the Krautgartenweg/Neusiedlerstraße junction.The proposals presented met with great interest and are now being discussed further in the community. With the commitment of the students and the support of the city of Eisenstadt, a valuable impulse for a future-oriented mobility design was set.

Course 856023 - Interested to learn how to summarise a text and to structure and write a review systematically?

Course 856023 - Interested to learn how to summarise a text and to structure and write a review systematically?

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Excursions to Wiener Linien and MA 28

On January 17 and January 24, 2025, students had the opportunity to gain practical insights into current topics in mobility, urban planning, and climate adaptation through two excursions.

The morning began at Wiener Linien with a visit to the subway control center in Erdberg, where the processes and technical challenges of daily traffic management were presented. This was complemented by two expert lectures: one on the complexity of planning processes using the example of tram line 12, and another on hydrogen and electric buses as sustainable future technologies in public transportation.

In the afternoon, an expert from MA 28 – Road Administration and Construction gave a presentation on climate change adaptation measures in public spaces. Following this, participants visited the construction site for the redesign of Thaliastraße, gaining practical insights into the technical implementation of such a project.

The excursions concluded, as is tradition, with a cultural program: a guided tour of the Ottakringer Brewery or a visit to the Leopold Museum.