Dr.-Ing. Tobias Hardes

Researcher, Developer, Engineer

Tobias Hardes

Global traffic is rising, leading to critical challenges such as congestion, increased accident risks, and higher emissions of greenhouse gases and noise. Urban areas are particularly impacted, and as the global population in cities is expected to more than double by 2045, these issues will only intensify. Road congestion in modern cities is a growing concern that demands innovative solutions.

One promising approach is the use of cooperative driving technologies, where vehicles and other transport systems collaborate to optimize traffic flow and safety. A key technology in this realm is platooning, an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) application that organizes vehicles into tightly coordinated convoys. In platooning, vehicles maintain a small gap of only a few meters, using wireless communication and real-time data sharing to move as a synchronized unit. This method significantly reduces traffic congestion and improves safety by minimizing human error and optimizing road usage. Platooning draws on multiple fields, including control theory, vehicle dynamics, communication technologies, and traffic engineering.

In addition to road-based solutions, air traffic in urban settings is becoming increasingly relevant, particularly with the integration of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones. UAVs have already been deployed for parcel deliveries, with companies like DHL and UPS leading the way. In the context of Smart Cities and the Internet of Things (IoT), UAVs offer a viable way to supplement road traffic by shifting part of the transport burden into the air. As the number of drones in urban airspace grows, cities will need to manage this new layer of traffic efficiently.

My research focuses on cooperative mobile systems in urban and suburban environments, with a specific emphasis on platooning in cities. Urban platooning presents unique challenges compared to freeway scenarios due to more complex road conditions such as varying speed limits, intersections, single-lane roads, and traffic lights. Initial findings demonstrate that platooning can be particularly beneficial in managing traffic at intersections, especially when coupled with static traffic light scheduling.

UAVs also offer potential beyond parcel delivery, serving as mobile communication hubs or aerial base stations for road traffic systems. By integrating these airborne systems, cities can further alleviate congestion and improve traffic management, particularly for delivery services.

A key question in this area of research is how to efficiently manage communication resources in such a dynamic environment. This requires the development of adaptive protocols that optimize the use of wireless communication networks. By combining advanced communication technologies, it is possible to enhance both road and air traffic systems, ensuring efficient use of resources in increasingly crowded urban areas.

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