News

SAFER has granted funding to three new pre-studies within the SAFER Idea Exploration Program, an initiative designed to stimulate new collaborations, explore emerging research questions and create the foundation for larger joint projects.

The newly funded projects span topics ranging from emergency vehicle operations and AI-supported accident data management to motorcycle safety research. Together, these three projects illustrate the breadth of SAFER's collaborative platform and the value of bringing together partners from different sectors to explore new ideas. Through the Idea Exploration Program, promising concepts can be tested, networks strengthened and future research initiatives prepared, contributing to SAFER's mission of advancing knowledge and innovation for safer road transport.

PRESTO – Predictable Emergency Safety and Traffic Operations

Partners: VTI, Linköping University, with involvement from additional stakeholders including emergency services, Trafikverket, police authorities, Chalmers and industry actors.

Emergency response times are critical for reducing the consequences of traffic incidents. The PRESTO project will explore how traffic conditions, infrastructure and emerging support systems influence the ability of emergency vehicles to navigate complex traffic environments. The project aims to establish the knowledge base needed for improved route recommendations, traffic management and decision support for emergency responders.

A central value of the project is its broad collaboration between research organisations, authorities and emergency services. By bringing together stakeholders with different perspectives and data sources, the project will identify knowledge gaps, establish a shared problem formulation and create a roadmap for future large-scale research efforts. The long-term ambition is to contribute to faster response times, safer emergency vehicle operations and improved safety for both emergency personnel and other road users.

PTW Rider-in-the-Loop Simulation: Feasibility and Foundation

Partners: motoTec Labs, Sveriges MotorCyklister (SMC) and Chalmers University of Technology.

Powered two-wheelers remain heavily overrepresented in serious road injuries and fatalities, yet motorcycle safety has historically received limited attention within many road safety research frameworks. This project will investigate the feasibility of establishing rider-in-the-loop simulation capabilities for motorcycle safety research within the SAFER ecosystem.

The project combines simulation technology expertise, academic research competence and real-world rider experience. Together, the partners will evaluate simulation tools, define safety-relevant scenarios and identify requirements for future studies. The collaboration ensures that future research is grounded both in scientific methodology and in the everyday safety challenges experienced by motorcyclists.

The expected outcome is a foundation for larger research initiatives and the development of new research infrastructure that can strengthen motorcycle safety research in Sweden and internationally.

Benefits of Using LLMs on STRADA

Partners: Svanberg & Svanberg AB, Swedish Transport Agency (Transportstyrelsen), VTI, RISE, IF, Volvo Group and the University of Gothenburg.

STRADA is one of the world's leading road accident databases and a cornerstone of Sweden's Vision Zero work. This pre-study will investigate how Large Language Models (LLMs) and other AI methods can support and improve accident data management, including data quality, structured information extraction and more efficient reporting processes.

The project brings together expertise from authorities, academia, industry and insurance research to assess both opportunities and challenges associated with introducing AI into safety-critical data systems. Through joint workshops, feasibility studies and stakeholder dialogues, the partners will identify technical, organisational and legal requirements for future implementation.

By improving the quality, accessibility and usability of accident data, the project has the potential to create benefits for researchers, practitioners, policymakers and industry alike. The collaboration also creates a strong foundation for future initiatives at the intersection of AI, traffic safety and data-driven decision-making.

Next call

The SAFER Idea Exploration Program is designed to stimulate new collaborations, explore emerging research ideas and create the foundation for future large-scale research and innovation projects. Through small exploratory studies, partners from academia, industry, authorities and civil society can jointly investigate new opportunities, identify knowledge gaps and build strong consortia for future funding applications.

Autumn 2026 Call Timeline

• August 2026 Call Opens
• October 8 Submission Deadline
• Week 43 Scientific Review
• November 4 Steering Group Decision
• November 2026 Project Start