Research & Scientific Staff: M. Panou, M. Gemou, K. Kalogirou, L. Gaitanidou, K. Touliou, St. Nikolaou, P. Spanidis, E. Chalkia, M. Loukea, N. Dimokas, I. Simeonidis, M. Tsami, O. Gaitatzi, A. Kostouli, Κ. Vitzilaiou, C. Britsas, A. Spiliotis, I. Gragopoulos, I. Alertas, M. Maglavera .

This research Sector deals with all vehicle and driver issues, the design and development of vehicle systems and components, consideration of accessibility and “design for all” issues, driver behaviour and driver (user)-vehicle interaction.

The main research lines of Sector A include:

• Information and Communication Technologies applications in Transport (the “intelligent” vehicle),
• Applications of intelligent transport systems (ITS) as regards the driver and the vehicle and the development of interfaces as regards the information of the users,
• Introduction and integration into the traffic system of Clean vehicles and fuels technologies (the “clean” vehicles),
• Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)and In-Vehicle Information Systems (IVIS),
• Driver and driver trainer’s training schemes,
• Advanced driver and vehicles simulation systems,
• Systems for Vulnerable Road Users and Vulnerable to Exclusion Citizens,
• Road Safety (from the vehicle and driver perspective),
• Vehicle automation systems,
• Dissemination and optimization for the improvement of the accessibility – mobility from the point of view of the system vehicle –driver.
• Training actions related to driver/traveler behavior and vehicle use,
• Interface systems for the driver – vehicle through mobile and wearable gadgets.

Responsible: L. Gaitanidou

This lab develops and evaluates systems for the safety and security promotion of the system driver – vehicle (all vehicles with emphasis on road vehicles), including applications of Information and Communication Technologies (within the Intelligent Transport Systems context) in these areas.

In particular, within the above context, the Laboratory A1 is involved in:

• Developing and studying driver/rider behavior models, as well as tools and processes for its improvement in terms of safety (i.e. multimedia tools and driving/riding simulators for training), books and educational content related to life-long training in safe transport of all road participants.
• Performing research on specific road participants categories needs (such as elderly persons, children, persons with disabilities, etc.) and develops methods and support concepts/systems for them. In relation to this, it also works on issues related to:
• Driver/rider and road participant psychology and behavior;
• Comfort and ergonomy of in-vehicle systems;
• Biomechanics and biokinetics of road users.
• Promoting road safety in general, through educational-training campaigns for the drivers, studies for the safe use of road infrastructures as well as their evaluation in terms of safety audits, etc.
• Security issues for vehicles and road users.

In the frame of its work on safety, this Lab also conducts work in:

• Vehicle automation systems;
• Relevant policy issues and measures (i.e. safety strategic master plan, action plans, etc.);
• Safety and Security impact assessment of new measures/systems.

Responsible: M. Gemou

This lab focuses on supporting the development and evaluation of clean vehicle technologies and their spare parts as well as the study of incentives and policies for promoting their market uptake and use. Clean vehicles are viewed in relation to both the fuels used as well as the driving /usage behavior (i.e. eco-driving issues).

The lab is responsible for data collection and assessment related to use of alternative fuel vehicles, their support infrastructure and the development/use of innovative fuels, as well as issues of vehicle-infrastructure communication and fueling.

Indicatively, the lab works on issues, such as:

• Electric vehicles of all types and their fueling/operational infrastructure (in cooperation with Laboratory C3 Environmental impacts of Transport system)
• Assessment and Impact Assessment of clean vehicles and green (eco) driving/riding practices

Ergonomics of clean vehicles and intelligent systems for vehicle-infrastructure interactions.

Responsible: M. Gemou

This lab deals with the use of intelligent and novel materials in transport, with emphasis on nanotechnology and material sciences applications, as well as with innovative production and maintenance technologies issues in transport.

Indicatively, its applications include the following aspects:

• Applications of micro and nano sensors and materials (particles) in transport systems and applications
• Use of novel materials (i.e. carbon-nano-tubes, new steel types, etc.) in transportation systems
• New production concepts and systems applications in transport such as the “Do-It-Yourself” (DIY) personalization, “kansai” and “citarasa” as well as lean production concepts
• Μethods and systems of non-destructive control as well as their condition monitoring for vehicles of transportation systems and their parts.
• Integrated methods and tools for vehicles life-cycle analysis and monitoring.

Responsible: M. Panou

This lab develops and evaluates mobility enhancement applications from the point of view of the individual traveler in terms of personalization, inclusiveness, accessibility and respect of “design for all” principles.

The Lab A4, cooperates and contributes to the work of the Lab B1 (Demand management and development of mobility systems) but focuses on personalization and accessibility of services and systems for the individual drivers/riders as well as travelers and their relevant assessment and acceptance levels by all users.

Indicative areas of interest and applications include:

• Algorithms and systems for personalized ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) and IVIS (In Vehicle Information Systems)
• Systems and applications for specific traveler groups (elderly, travelers with disabilities, illiterate and electronically illiterate, etc.)
• Application of design for all principles in transportation systems and services
• Accessibility assessment of any new transportation system and application