Research

AstaZero (Active Safety Test Area Zero) is among the world's most advanced full-scale test environments, dedicated to fostering a safe, sustainable, and connected automated road traffic future. With diverse traffic environments, it facilitates testing of advanced safety systems across various traffic scenarios, including urban, rural, multi-lane, and high-speed roads. Additionally, boasting the world's longest indoor autonomous vehicle test track, AstaZero enables extensive research, development, and validation. Serving as an international testing area, it welcomes stakeholders from industry, society, and academia.

Chalmers' Revere lab, closely connected to SAFER at Lindholmen Science Park, is an evolving comprehensive research platform. It provides partners with facilities for real-world traffic and simulator studies, focusing on autonomous driving, active safety, and vehicle dynamics. Equipped with technical tools, test vehicles and dedicated personnel, Revere facilitates collaboration between industry stakeholders and academia, driving cutting-edge research and innovations.

SAFER's Naturalistic Driving Data platform securely manages vast real-world driving datasets, spanning approximately 6.5 million kilometers. It offers state-of-the-art data management, large datasets, and leading research expertise. This platform provides unique access to naturalistic data, supporting streamlined traffic safety research and fostering collaboration.

Knowledge of different datasets available in SAFER's network is important for efficient work within projects, providing new perspectives on past and present research, and being able to create completely new projects through data-driven research. To facilitate access to quality assured data, the SAFER Data Catalogue, where relevant datasets within the network are described, are available for the SAFER partners. The datasets cover different types of data, from field operational tests with a vehicle or location-based focus, real-time data described in the Swedish National Access Point (NAP), and accident databases.

The Sim IV driving simulator at VTI, equipped with its advanced motion platform system, is instrumental in our research endeavors across various projects. This simulator offers substantial linear movement on both x and y axes, prioritizing motion feedback and providing a wide field of view. It gives us the possibility to conduct simulations for cars, trucks, and bicycles. Additionally, the mini simulator at Lindholmen gives us the opportunity to significantly enhance our research capabilities.

SAFER operates from Lindholmen Science Park, Sweden's epicenter for future mobility innovation and cross-border cooperation. With 25,000 daily visitors, Lindholmen fosters a collaborative ecosystem. Our partners have access to a 290 sqm facility offering workspaces, meeting rooms, analysis facilities for confidential driving data, and venues for co-creation, conferences, and networking. This dynamic environment facilitates interdisciplinary collaboration, advancing research in traffic safety.

Within human body modelling (HBM), SAFER provides a competence platform for our partners as well as a natural contact point for external cooperation. The SAFER HBM is a virtual human substitute that can be used for predicting injury outcome in any impact situation and direction of loading, able to be morphed to replicate a large proportion of the population, standing or sitting, with humanlike kinematics in crash events as well as pre-crash maneuvers. The SAFER HBM research combines several projects, all developing the existing model towards the overall goal of performance.

SAFER's partner, the road safety organisation NTF Väst, provides our researchers access to a conveniently located traffic training site at Stora Holm, near Lindholmen. This versatile facility offers various driving surfaces, including gravel, asphalt, and slippery terrain, set amidst hilly landscapes. The off-road course, nestled in a natural setting, enables additional practice on transverse slopes and features a water-filled ditch. Besides serving as a training ground, Stora Holm test track is an ideal venue for outdoor events and demonstrations, enriching research activities.

Do you have an idea on how traffic safety can be improved? We have an opportunity to support you through our Idea Exploration program! To support the development of the project portfolio, the SAFER idea exploration program is an important part of how we facilitate and influence research. In this program, we fund research activities that can bring value back to SAFER’s partners, supporting our vision to contribute to a safe road transport system for all.

This programme (open 2016-2021) funded curiosity projects by providing free access to AstaZero to stimulate and facilitate open, independent and world-leading research. The programme aimed to generate openly available results and data and an inspiring network between researchers. Researchers from universities or research institutions as well as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) could apply for test track time, workshop use, support (e.g. testing engineers, or drivers), and use of equipment.