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Bundeswehr bicycle simulator: test safer, cycle safer!
Prof. Hoffmann and Prof. Huemer are researching traffic safety and new mobility solutions using a bicycle simulator at the University of BW Munich.
Bundeswehr bicycle simulator: test safer, cycle safer!
Road safety for cyclists is the focus of current research at the University of the Federal Armed Forces in Munich. Under the leadership of Prof. Silja Hoffmann and Prof. Anja Katharina Huemer, an innovative bicycle simulator is used to research critical traffic situations. This is happening in view of the alarming statistics: In 2024, 441 cyclists in Germany lost their lives due to accidents, as recorded by the Federal Statistical Office. Over two-thirds of these accidents occurred in conjunction with other road users, highlighting the need for sustained research and preventative measures unibw.de reported.
The use of the bicycle simulator is revolutionary: it enables traffic scenarios to be safely recreated and analyzed in the laboratory. By using a real, permanently mounted bicycle, test subjects can experience realistic scenarios. The simulator is equipped with screens and a wind turbine to create authentic perceptions. The aim is to realistically test new mobility solutions such as automated vehicles and intelligent infrastructures.
Research methods and simulator technology
The simulations are standardized and controlled. They examine factors such as the influence of age, illness, fatigue, as well as distractions from mobile devices and psychoactive substances on cyclists. Environmental influences from road construction or highly automated vehicles are also taken into account. The advantages of bicycle simulation are the high level of controllability, reproducible traffic scenarios and the ability to represent rare situations without putting the test subjects in danger. As the BASt explains on its homepage, interactions with other road users are also possible and contribute to the analysis of cyclists' reactions in critical moments.
Technically, the simulator impresses with a variety of innovative features. Equipped with ten Full HD large format displays, a dynamically mounted bicycle mockup and special software solutions, it enables complex traffic scenarios to be created and recorded. The results are made available to provide decision-makers with valuable information for the further development of road safety, which the Federal Highway Research Institute supports in its extensive investigation into bicycle accidents and their causes.
Statistics and security analysis
The Federal Highway Research Institute has carried out extensive research on bicycle accidents in order to reduce the increasing number of cyclists involved in accidents. Data from 2,768 injured cyclists were analyzed and complement the findings of the simulation project. For example, the risk of accidents is higher among men, and the highest probability of fatal accidents is among people over 65 years of age. At the same time, the study shows that economic and social measures are necessary to reduce the risk of accidents, especially with regard to education about the dangers of alcohol and distraction, such as bast.de points this out.
Overall, the bicycle simulator is not only a technical aid, but also a decisive factor in improving road safety for cyclists. By accurately replicating dangerous situations, it contributes to the further development of safe mobility solutions, while the research helps shape future road safety strategies.