Working together for greater road safety: Research workshop at Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt (THI)

One of the topics discussed at the VD-SAFE workshop at THI was how virtual models can be used to better predict the consequences of road traffic accidents. The university had organised the one-day event in collaboration with the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen (UWB). The event was supported by the Bavarian-Czech University Agency (BTHA).

The event kicked off with two presentations that linked current developments with practical applications. Burkhard Scholz, head of the crash test facility at the development service provider IAV, gave an outlook on the ‘crash test of the future’. Pavel Polach from the University of West Bohemia explained how computer-aided models can be used in the analysis of public transport vehicles.

Later in the programme, participants presented various approaches to better understanding accident risks and improving safety measures. These included the simulation of bus accidents, the assessment of electric vehicles using digital twins, and the investigation of high-voltage batteries. Other presentations focused on injury patterns in collisions and the prediction of pedestrian movements at junctions.

Alongside the technical insights, the focus was on personal exchange. Ondřej Vaculín from THI, who chaired the two introductory presentations, emphasised the importance of the event for networking among young researchers from Bavaria and the Czech Republic, as well as for dialogue with industry.

The VD-SAFE series focuses on the virtual development of passive vehicle safety. Its key areas include digital human models, the simulation of accident scenarios and the reconstruction of road traffic accidents. It helps to deepen cross-border cooperation between universities, research institutions and companies.