News

It takes more than one single competence to solve the complex challenges related to traffic safety. At SAFER there are several competence networks containing a plethora of knowledge and know-how. These competence networks are also the key for the vital cross-disciplinary research conducted at SAFER.

The networks contribute and inspire to build and spread knowledge, capture good ideas and create cross-functional projects.

“The overall idea is to stimulate joint dialogues though networking and all good that comes with that”, Magnus Granström, SAFER’s director says.

As a partner in SAFER you are welcome in any of the networks – it is just to join in where you would like to contribute and build knowledge. The competence network leader keeps it all together – in some cases in close cooperation with a senior mentor. The network leader is also involved in the work carried out within the reference groups and is hosting SAFER seminars, e.g. with international experts, and arranges thematic workshops on a regular basis. SAFER can also use their excellence for different assignments, for example applications, projects and create content to reports, seminars and similar.

Three networks already in place – welcome to join!
We have to-date three established networks in which our partners are able to join:

HUMAN BEHAVIOUR
Combining knowledge from different disciplines, this competence network aspires to be a forum to discuss methodologies and challenges for the research on human behaviour, with the final aim to improve the safety of the road transportation system. The competence network leader for human behaviour is Dr. Giulio Bianchi Piccinini, Chalmers. This network replaces the previous networks for Human factors, Human Monitoring and Behaviour in accident causation.

AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY ASSURANCE
The newly established network, led by Dr. Fredrik Sandblom, Volvo Group, is keeping together a valuable discussion about methods and nomenclature for how to show that autonomous vehicles are tolerably safe. The network is the “place to go” for SAFER partners to discuss how to make safe automated vehicles and to show that they are. The targets are to attracting experts from as many actors as possible in order to cover multiple perspectives and creating joint understanding of important technical concepts and how to use them, e.g. Operational Design Domains. The group wants to identify areas that are not addressed properly enough and figure out a way to do it.

VEHICLE DYNAMICS
Vehicle dynamics is creating a collaborative arena connecting vehicle dynamics research carried out in academia/institutes and the corresponding advanced engineering activities in the automotive industry.
Prof. Bengt Jacobson, Chalmers, has been leading the group since long and the network will continue in its present form.

More to come
In SAFER Stage V the following networks are currently in preparation:
- Biomechanics and Protective systems, incl human body modelling
- Decision and control
- Field data analysis
- Perception and communication 
- Structures and materials
- Testing and Evaluation

How to join a network
If you would like to join a network, please contact the competence network leader or the SAFER Secretariat. Welcome to join the knowledge building!
- Human behaviour: giulio.piccinini@chalmers.se
- Automotive safety assurance: fredrik.sandblom@volvo.com
- Vehicle dynamics: bengt.jacobson@chalmers.se

The recruitment process for the vacant positions is ongoing, are you interested, please contact the SAFER secretariat.