A new research and test center of Ingolstadt University. Committed to society. Shaping a secure future together. 

The new research and test center of Ingolstadt University 

Ingolstadt University will significantly contribute with its new research and test center CARISSMA to the development of effective responses to mid- and long-term challenges in the field of road safety. The successful approval of CARISSMA by the German Council of Science and Humanities (Wissenschaftsrat) on July 2, 2010 is a real novelty for the research in Germany: this is the first time when a university of applied sciences, besides the other big research institutes and universities, meets the strict requirements of the Council for funding a research building. The construction work will commence in spring 2012 and is scheduled to be completed in 2014.

Committed to society

Despite the “Vision Zero” campaign, which sets itself the long-term vision of zero road deaths, there are still large numbers of deaths on Europe’s roads (ca. 39.000/year). This means for Germany: every 77 seconds a road user is injured, every 2 minutes a car passenger is involved in an accident, every 2 hours a road death happens, every 13 hours a pedestrian is killed and every 19 hours a cyclist dies. Children and young people are particularly vulnerable: they are involved in an accident three times more frequently than other road users. Furthermore, old people are often victims of car accidents because of their limited reaction capacity and physical condition. Researchers from Ingolstadt University will take up the challenge of the “Vision Zero” campaign in an interdisciplinary way.

Shaping a secure future together

Ingolstadt University is an integrated part of European and global networks, e.g. European University Association (EUA) or Car-2-Car Communication Consortium, which enable global networking with excellent research teams. Particular attention is being focused not simply on protecting vehicle occupants, but primarily on protecting the most vulnerable road users against physical harm. CARISSMA essentially comprises test facilities for substitute tests at an early development stage and facilities for mechanical component tests, setups for driving, traffic, vehicle and component simulation as well as an outdoor area for driving and vehicle tests. The test facilities enable researchers to develop these systems and demonstrate the feasibility of new systems in substitute tests at an early phase.