Mobile laboratory can save lives

"When an accident happens, it's already too late," says Klemens Schwieger. The expert at AIT's Center for Mobility Systems is concerned with road safety - and he wants to intervene before anything happens. Schwieger's partner in this endeavor is the Motorcycle Probe Vehicle (MoProVe). For this test motorcycle, AIT and the Vienna University of Technology have converted a KTM 1290 Superadventure and packed it full of sophisticated technology. Motorcyclists are particularly at risk on the road. In 2018, there were a total of 400 fatalities in road accidents in Austria, 99 of which were bikers*. And this despite the fact that there are ten times more passenger cars on the road than motorcycles. It is clear that something urgently needs to be done. "Every accident is one too many," emphasizes Schwieger.

Whether or not an accident occurs usually depends on two things: the condition of the road and the behavior of the driver. The research team wants to analyze popular motorcycle routes to find out where the accident risk is particularly high. This is where MoProVe comes in. This traveling laboratory is unique in the world: Its high-precision measurement systems constantly collect data on speed, acceleration, braking distance, lean angle or position of the motorcycle during the ride. The group of test riders is a colorful mix: women and men with very different physiques. In order to include as many riding styles as possible in the study, they were on one occasion particularly cautious, on the other normal risk or sporty. 

The data is analyzed using a deep learning algorithm. In this process, a computer uses learning methods that function similarly to the human brain. As a result, the computers are able to make predictions. This is crucial for taking preventive action. Says Schwieger, "We can predict where accidents are more likely to occur, or will occur in the future." On this basis, road owners can be provided with precise information so that they can mitigate danger spots with pinpoint accuracy.

"Making safety objectively measurable"

The researchers will get an even more comprehensive picture if they combine the findings obtained with the help of MoProVe with those provided by AIT's measurement cars or measurement trucks on road conditions. In addition, information on weather conditions and traffic volumes is taken into account. "Our claim is to make safety objectively measurable," summarizes Schwieger's colleague Peter Saleh.

But that's not all: It will also be possible to warn drivers in good time when they are approaching such a spot. And as soon as riders are in danger of losing control of the vehicle, assistance systems on modern motorcycles will alert them. In an extreme situation, this provides bikers with those crucial fractions of a second that allow them to still avoid accidents. "This can save lives," says Schwieger.