Thinking mobility outside the box - 3 questions for Prof. Dr. Silja Hoffmann, Universität der Bundeswehr

With our small series "3 questions to..." we interview selected personalities on various topics. The interviewees answer questions on topics that are discussed in the form of keynote speeches or other activities at Bayern Innovativ events. Today, we direct our short interview to Prof. Dr. Silja Hoffmann, University of the Federal Armed Forces Munich, Institute of Transport and Spatial Planning, Chair of Intelligent, Multimodal Transport Systems, who will speak at our congress mobilität querdenken on October 22, 2019 in Nuremberg under the heading "smart & systematic" .

Automation, digitization & networking

Dear Prof. Hoffmann, as holder of the professorship for intelligent, multimodal transport systems, you deal, among other things, with the effects of automation, digitization and networking on the transport system. You will also report on this in your presentation at mobilität querdenken 2019. Where are the opportunities, where are the challenges?
Prof. Dr. Silja Hoffmann: There are an incredible number of opportunities through automation, digitization and networking. This can enable sustainable, safe, efficient and user-adapted mobility across different modes of transport - flexible for all user groups and adapted to the respective situations (e.g. different destinations and purposes, weather situations).
But there are also many challenges to overcome. Coordination and data exchange must take place if the various modes of transport are to be networked. In addition to technological developments, strategic and political developments are also crucial here. Decision-making paths must be shortened, and the legal framework must be adapted. Structural changes in urban areas, however, must always be considered under different boundary conditions: on the one hand, services of general interest in rural areas, and on the other, urbanization and the trend toward megacities - both structures that must be viewed very differently from a mobility perspective.

The Mobility Market on the Move

A short excursion into the future: what do you think mobility will look like in 2050? Will we all be driving in autonomous pods?
Prof. Dr. Silja Hoffmann: Yes, that would be nice! And in 30 years, a lot can also happen. Until then, however, there is certainly still a long busy road to go. The mobility market is currently very much in motion. Many new ideas and players are taking on the topic of mobility from different perspectives. But there are also other issues of a socio-demographic and social nature: How will our demand for individual mobility continue to change in the coming years, and how will delivery traffic change? As you can see, we still have a lot to do.

Transport systems need data exchange and cooperation

What needs to be taken into account in the planning and design of future transport systems so that they can function holistically?
Prof. Dr. Silja Hoffmann: Data exchange and cooperation between the various modes of transport and mobility providers are important, as are simplified payment processes. But above all, more togetherness between the various transport users. You currently have the feeling that everyone is competing against each other. The planning processes for infrastructure are lengthy - yet it should now be possible to respond to changing traffic systems at short notice. Infrastructure needs to be made more flexible in order to be able to respond quickly to changing traffic demands (different modal split, directions, new carriers). Important questions are: What can be done in terms of planning and construction to simplify and promote the use of autonomous systems?

Thank you, Prof. Hoffmann, and see you soon in Nuremberg at our Congress mobilität querdenken !

Information about our congress mobilität querdenken

One thing is clear: the world of mobility is changing radically and will continue to change, not least through digitization. But what exactly does this change look like? Are we already in the middle of it or just at the very beginning? What impact will this change have on our society and the fulfillment of our individual mobility needs? Which technologies will be successful in the long term? Which business models can we build on in the future? How can the huge innovation potential of digitalization be used for mobility? Can it be used to save our environment, our planet? Learn more about the event now!