Event

Welcome to SAFER Research Day!

Join us for a day of sharing insights, meaningful discussions, project presentations, and networking to inspire new ideas. This event will focus on Horizon Europe and upcoming funding opportunities, helping us prepare strong SAFER partner consortia and applications. We will also explore the concept of Societal Readiness and how it impacts future applications. Plus, we will get to learn from six recently concluded projects in our portfolio, showcasing their contributions to the focus area.

AGENDA

08:30        Coffee and networking opportunities

09:00        Welcome and introduction to the day, Magnus Granström, SAFER’s director

09:10        Result presentation: Support cognitive abilities for predictive processing through driver monitoring, Paul Hemeren, University of Skövde

09:25        Result presentation: Risky Scenario identification, Ruo Jia, Chalmers University of Technology

09:40        Result presentation: ViDCoM Video-based Driver Condition Monitoring for Safe Driving Tayssir Bouraffa, Chalmers University of Technology

09:55        Societal readiness keynote and discussion, Suzanna Kraak, DG Research and Innovation – Clean Transport Transitions, The European Commission

This talk will explore the concept of societal readiness and its importance for the successful implementation of innovation, notably in the field of Climate, Energy, and Mobility. While technological advancements are crucial, societal readiness; the ability of technological innovation to align with society’s needs and expectations towards adoption, is essential. We will discuss how Horizon Europe will prioritize societal readiness through an upcoming pilot exercise for the Work Programme 2025, and the key factors influencing it, such as stakeholder and SSH engagement. For our SAFER community, understanding how to align our projects is critical to increasing our chances of successfully securing future funding.

10:20        Networking break

10:40        Result presentation: Good examples of reporting on safety culture, Sanna Eveby, Guidance To Zero 

10:55        Upcoming traffic safety calls in Horizon Europe – information and mini-workshop
In this session, we will review upcoming Horizon Europe funding calls related to traffic safety that are relevant to our community. The objective is to identify which of these calls hold the most strategic importance. Following the review, we will conduct a brief workshop to discuss and prioritize these opportunities, while exploring the potential for forming strong consortia in areas where we, as a community, can make the greatest impact. The goal is to ensure we are well-prepared to seize future Horizon Europe funding opportunities and strengthen our efforts in traffic safety research and development. The workshop will be moderated by Anna Larsson, RISE and Magnus Granström, SAFER.
 

11:40        Result presentation: Mapping of Accident Databases Worldwide, Tania Dukic Willstrand, DuWill AB

11:50        Result presentation: Knowledge transfer from the founders of Vision Zero to new generations, Sanna Eveby, Guidance To Zero

12:05        Conclusions from the mini conference

12:15        Networking lunch

13:00        End of event               

We look forward to a productive and inspiring Research Day event together with you!

ABOUT THE PROJECTS

Support cognitive abilities for predictive processing through driver monitoring 
This Vinnova-funded project, conducted in collaboration with Smart Eye and the University of Skövde, aimed to enhance traffic safety through cognitive predictive interaction between drivers and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). The project focused on improving situational awareness by providing drivers with critical, individualized information in complex traffic situations such as intersections. By analyzing cognitive factors, including driver characteristics (age, gender, and driving style), and their interaction with ADAS, the project identified key predictors for safer driving. The results have informed the development of more adaptive driver monitoring and support systems, ultimately contributing to increased traffic safety for a diverse range of drivers.

Risky Scenario identification
This SAFER funded pre-study, conducted in collaboration with RISE, Chalmers University of Technology and Volvo, aimed to enhance the identification of risky driving scenarios using real-time 

deep learning and computer vision techniques. The project focused on predicting perceived risk through both objective metrics (e.g., jerk changes) and subjective evaluations by human drivers. By analyzing vehicle trajectories and features obtained through computer vision, the study successfully identified critical scenarios and unsafe driving conditions for both Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Autonomous Vehicles (AVs). The developed framework has improved the evaluation of safety system performance in various driving situations, contributing to safer vehicle operations.

ViDCoM Video-based Driver Condition Monitoring for Safe Driving
The ViDCoM pre-study, funded by SAFER and conducted in collaboration with Smart Eye, Chalmers University, and AstaZero, aimed to advance road safety through real-time driver health monitoring. By utilizing computer vision and signal processing techniques, the project explored the feasibility of detecting vital signs such as heart rate, respiration rate, and blood oxygen saturation in a dynamic vehicle environment. The study systematically analyzed state-of-the-art camera-based driver monitoring systems and prepared the groundwork for future research. ViDCoM’s findings contributed to forming a consortium for developing non-invasive monitoring solutions, aimed at reducing accidents caused by driver health issues and improving overall traffic safety.

Good examples of reporting on safety culture 
This Skyltfonden-funded project, concluded by Guidance to Zero, focused on identifying and highlighting companies that have successfully integrated traffic safety into their sustainability initiatives. By examining well-developed procedures for tracking accidents and incidents, the project showcased good examples of how organizations have built strong traffic safety cultures. The findings aimed to serve as a guide for other companies to improve their traffic safety efforts, contributing to a broader understanding of how safety culture can be effectively reported and implemented within corporate sustainability frameworks.

Mapping of Accident Databases Worldwide
Accident databases have been a crucial resource for traffic safety research, but their scope and characteristics have varied significantly depending on the method of data collection, such as on-scene investigations, insurance records, retrospective analyses, national statistics, or databases from European projects. Since 2014, SAFER has maintained a comprehensive mapping of accident databases accessible to at least one SAFER partner. This SAFER funded project aimed to update the existing database mapping with the latest information on available accident databases and their documented parameters. The project has concluded with the delivery of an updated Excel file containing all global accident databases SAFER partners have access to. Additionally, this information has been securely integrated into the SAFER data catalogue, ensuring its long-term accessibility and usefulness for SAFER partners in their research efforts.

Knowledge transfer from the founders of Vision Zero to new generations
This pre-study, carried out by Guidance to Zero, aimed to bridge the knowledge gap among new professionals in traffic and urban planning as Vision Zero approaches its 30th anniversary. With the retirement of Vision Zero's founders, the project identified the need to transfer critical knowledge about road safety, ethics, and responsibility to the next generation. Targeting traffic planners and public sector professionals, the study explored the most effective ways to communicate these concepts in light of modern sustainability challenges and Agenda 2030 goals.

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Our Research Days are designed to achieve several important objectives:

• Disseminate knowledge: Share the valuable insights and discoveries generated from our diverse project portfolio.
• Engage in meaningful discussions: Participate in panel dialogues and workshops to delve into our partners’ findings, plan future steps, and emphasize practical applications in society as well as potential new projects.
• Identify next steps for projects: Explore potential next steps, paving the way for innovative proposals that drive progress and impact.
• Strengthen collaborative networks: Connect with peers, partners, and experts to exchange ideas and build stronger relationships for future cooperation.

In addition to these goals, our Research Days will feature:

• Thematic focus: Participate in sessions that focus on specific themes relevant to our research community.
• Deep dives and workshops: Engage in detailed explorations of specific topics to gain deeper understanding and insights.
• Guest speakers: Gain inspiration and knowledge from guest speakers who are leaders in their respective fields.
• Working Group presentations: Hear from various working groups about their ongoing projects and achievements.
• New inspiration: Discover new ideas and inspiration to drive your own research and projects forward.

The theme for the project presentations and dialogue this time will be our Impact Area Safety performance evaluation.