Research

Children and adolescents are among the most mobility-relevant, yet also the most heterogeneous population groups. At the same time, a long-term decline in active modes of transport has been observed: trips are increasingly made by motorised modes, particularly for leisure purposes, while independent mobility among young people continues to decrease. Against this background, the project investigates how electrically assisted bicycles (pedelecs) for children and adolescents influence their mobility and physical activity behaviour. The project's objective is to systematically quantify differences between the use of conventional bicycles and pedelecs among children and adolescents. The analysis focuses on mobility behaviour (including trip distances, frequency of use, accompanied and unaccompanied trips, urban–rural differences, and age- and gender-specific aspects), physical activity benefits (frequency, duration, and intensity of physical activity), attitudes towards cycling, and the potential for shifting from other transport modes to pedelecs. Methodologically, the study combines interviews with young e-bike users and a field trial conducted in two Austrian Climate and Energy Model Regions (Schwarzatal and Mondseeland). In addition, the project examines ecological, road safety, and socio-economic impacts, including changes in energy consumption, CO₂ emissions, crash risks, and potential rebound effects.

The project has two main objectives. Firstly, it aims to estimate the market penetration and fleet share of battery-electric vehicles in vehicle classes M1, N1, N2 and N3 for the years 2030, 2040 and 2050. Building on this, the aim is to determine the future demand for publicly accessible charging points in the categories up to 22 kW (AC), up to 149 kW (DC) and 150 kW and above (HPC) for various scenarios.

This project investigates the effectiveness of ground-projected traffic signals for pedestrians (SafeLight) at signal-controlled junctions. The aim is to analyse the system’s influence on pedestrians’ crossing behaviour and attention, as well as on their subjective perception of road safety. To this end, the SafeLight system will be installed at a selected junction and evaluated using a before-and-after study design. The analysis is based on video recordings of the crossing area that comply with data protection regulations, using which behavioural parameters such as compliance with red lights, reaction times when signal phases change, head movements, smartphone use and safety-critical interactions with traffic are systematically coded. In addition, short standardised surveys of pedestrians are conducted to capture subjective perceptions regarding visibility, clarity and perceived safety. Combining objective behavioural data with subjective assessments enables a comprehensive evaluation of the effectiveness and potential of ground-projected traffic signals as a road safety measure. The findings provide a basis for transport planning decisions regarding the future implementation of innovative traffic signal concepts for pedestrian traffic.