In Carinthia, the focus is on the research field of ‘Innovative Mobility Modelling’. Issues relating to mobility behaviour and spatial development are being addressed. “Innovative processes are being developed, such as so-called agent-based modelling and applied to standard as well as new mobility solutions,” says Dr. Franz Prettenthaler, Director of LIFE.

This approach is essential for future forms of mobility as well as shared mobility (car sharing) and other forms of autonomous driving. Software is currently being developed which combines and manages autonomous driving and transport behaviours. The German car industry is already showing interest in the research results coming from Carinthia. In addition to taking account of the behaviours of individual transport users, an additional goal is to potentially reduce CO2 emissions. Research is currently taking place in cooperation with the Graz University of Technology, Technical University of Berlin, ETH Zürich and Stanford University.

Continued investment in research is therefore required and an additional expansion of Lakeside Park is in the preparatory stages. Carinthia has jumped to fourth place in the Austrian rankings (as far as research quota is concerned) behind Styria, Vienna and Upper Austria.

BABEG Kärntner Betriebsansiedlungs- und Beteiligungsgesellschaft has a 15% stake in the Joanneum Research Forschungsgesellschaft.

Foto credit: JOANNEUM RESEARCH