Research
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Our research is dedicated to the sustainable design of mobility, with a focus on cycling and pedestrian traffic. We investigate infrastructure, planning processes, and the effects of transport policy measures in both urban and rural contexts.
Our work ranges from the analysis of social and spatial aspects of local mobility to questions of governance and steering the transition of mobility and transport.
Research focus and topics:
- Research on cycling and cycling infrastructure
- Planning and promotion of active mobility and sustainable mobility
- Transport development, innovation and safety, also with a focus on transitioning and developing countries
- Empirical data analysis of mobility behavior
- Traffic psychology and human factors
- True cost of transport
- Inclusive transport planning
Current Research Projects
ACTIVE2030Plus prepares cycling and pedestrian infrastructure for the challenges of climate change and strengthens their role in the mobility transition. The project develops practice-oriented solutions for climate-adapted and resilient infrastructure, tests them in a model municipality, and derives evidence-based recommendations for safe and attractive active mobility under future weather conditions.
| Duration | 02/2026 – 03/2029 |
| Funder | Funding for non-infrastructure projects under the National Cycling Plan 3.0 (NRVP), Bundesministerium für Verkehr (BMV) |
| Project Staff | Prof.in Dr.in Angela Francke (Project Manager) M.Sc. Frederik Hilden (Research Fellow) M.Sc. Jonas Kulhavy (Research Fellow) |
Socratic chatbots make the fundamentals of psychology accessible and applicable for engineering students. The project develops dialogue-based learning tools that encourage active thinking through targeted questioning, address misconceptions, and, in addition to fictional case examples, are meant to facilitate transfer to the fields of engineering and transport.
| Bearbeitungszeit | 05/2026 – 04/2027 |
| Zuwendungsgeber | Central Teaching Fund (Zentraler Lehrfonds), University of Kassel |
| Projektmitarbeiter:innen | Prof.in Dr.in Angela Francke (Project Manager) M.Sc. Johanna Wahle (Research Fellow) |
BikeCom tuns cycling communication into a key lever for the mobility transition, building acceptance of cycling as an attractive form of everyday mobility. The project develops practice-oriented communication formats, tests them in pilot projects, and scales them through influencers, creating an evidence-based toolkit for sustainable cycling promotion.
| Bearbeitungszeit | 12/2025 – 05/2028 |
| Zuwendungsgeber | Funding for non-infrastructure projects under the National Cycling Plan 3.0 (NRVP), Bundesministerium für Verkehr (BMV) |
| Projektmitarbeiter:innen | Prof.in Dr.in Angela Francke (Project Manager) M.F.A. Simeon Uhl (Research Fellow) |
BRAVOUR places the needs of cyclists and pedestrians at construction sites at the centre of attention. The project uses traffic-psychological methods to analyse how traffic routing schemes are perceived, and develops practical solutions for greater safety and acceptance.
| Bearbeitungszeit | 10/2022 – 03/2026 |
| Zuwendungsgeber | Funding for non-infrastructure projects under the National Cycling Plan 3.0 (NRVP), Bundesministerium für Verkehr (BMV) |
| Projektmitarbeiter:innen | Prof.in Dr.in Angela Francke (Project Manager) M. Sc. Frederik Hilden (Research Fellow) M. Sc. Robin von Elm (Research Fellow) |
DyNaMo uses artificial intelligence to specifically improve cycling safety. The project analyses the behaviour of road users, develops infrastructure, training, and assistance solutions on this basis, and thus lays the groundwork for safe and sustainable mobility of the future.
| Bearbeitungszeit | 01/2025 – 12/2028 |
| Zuwendungsgeber | State Offensive for the Development of Scientific and Economic Excellence (LOEWE), Hessian Ministry of Science and Research, Arts and Culture |
| Projektmitarbeiter:innen | Prof.in Dr.in Angela Francke (Project Manager) M.Sc. Jonas Kulhavy (Research Fellow) |
EMPOWER-U strengthens family-friendly and inclusive mobility on campus. The project analyses the mobility needs of women with care responsibilities and develops practical solutions – from tailored mobility offerings to the use of e-cargo bikes – for everyday-suitable and equitable campus mobility.
| Bearbeitungszeit | 03/2025 – 02/2026 |
| Zuwendungsgeber | University of Kassel – Special Fund for Structural Equal Opportunities |
| Projektmitarbeiter:innen | Prof.in Dr.in Angela Francke (Project Manager) M.Sc. Azeb Legese Tesfaye (Research Fellow) M.Sc. Shreya Singh (Research Fellow) |
Bicycle Parking makes cycling viable for everyday use and urban life more liveable. The project examines international best-practice solutions and develops concepts for safe, comfortable, and future-proof parking facilities – from classic stands to innovative parking systems.
| Bearbeitungszeit | 03/2025 – 08/2025 |
| Zuwendungsgeber | University of Kassel / SDG+ |
| Projektmitarbeiter:innen | Prof.in Dr.in Angela Francke (Project Manager) |
The study compares sustainable mobility strategies at the University of Kassel and the University of Cape Coast. It shows how institutional measures, incentives, and communication can promote the use of environmentally friendly modes of transport, and provides recommendations for how UCC can strengthen its climate protection initiatives and serve as a model for sustainable university development.
| Bearbeitungszeit | 1 April 2025 – 28 February 2026 |
| Zuwendungsgeber | Alexander von Humboldt Foundation |
| Projektmitarbeiter:innen | Prof.in Dr.in Angela Francke (Project Manager) Manuel Nii Martey Mensah (Research Fellow) |
MoveOn is an international summer and autumn school on sustainable mobility that fosters interdisciplinary learning, practice-oriented workshops, and global research partnerships. The aim is to familiarise young researchers with current methods, strengthen international dialogue, and advance sustainable mobility solutions worldwide.
| Bearbeitungszeit | 09/2022 – 10/2022 09/2025 – 10/2025 |
| Zuwendungsgeber | Volkswagen Foundation Erasmus+ Mobility Programme |
| Projektmitarbeiter:innen | Prof.in Dr.in Angela Francke (Project Manager) M.Sc. Azeb Tesfaye (Research Fellow) |
ProvinzNETZ investigates how inter-municipal cycling infrastructure can improve quality of life in rural regions. The project connects municipalities, analyses mobility behaviour and governance structures, and develops practical recommendations for sustainable, inclusive, and resilient mobility outside urban centres.
| Bearbeitungszeit | 11/2025 – 10/2028 |
| Zuwendungsgeber | Funding for non-infrastructure projects under the National Cycling Plan 3.0 (NRVP), Bundesministerium für Verkehr (BMV) |
| Projektmitarbeiter:innen | Prof.in Dr.in Angela Francke (Project Manager) M.Sc. Azeb Tesfaye (Research Fellow) |
VELOA promotes cycling mobility among women, who are currently underrepresented in research as well as practice. The project examines individual and structural barriers, develops inclusive participatory processes, and integrates women's perspectives into cycling planning to create a more equitable and future-proof transport system.
| Bearbeitungszeit | 11/2025 – 10/2028 |
| Zuwendungsgeber | Funding for non-infrastructure projects under the National Cycling Plan 3.0 (NRVP), Bundesministerium für Verkehr (BMV) |
| Projektmitarbeiter:innen | Prof.in Dr.in Angela Francke (Project Manager) M.Sc. Shreya Singh (Research Fellow) M.Sc. Johanna Wahle (Research Fellow) |
“Verkehre der Welt” develops a culturally sensitive learning module for primary school pupils that promotes road safety and sustainable mobility choices. Practice-oriented, interactive, and internationally aligned, it is intended for long-term implementation in schools.
| Bearbeitungszeit | 11/2024 - 05/2026 |
| Zuwendungsgeber | Bundesanstalt für Straßen- und Verkehrswesen (BASt) |
| Projektmitarbeiter:innen | Prof.in Dr.in Angela Francke (Project Manager) M.Sc. Shreya Singh (Research Fellow) M.Sc. Johanna Wahle (Research Fellow) |
The Women in Cycling Germany study examines the working conditions in the cycling industry and identifies potential for a more inclusive, attractive industry. It brings together experiences from local authorities, planning offices and academia in order to obtain a comprehensive picture of the situation.
| Processing time | 02/2025 - 10/2025 |
| Funding body | Velo Foundation |
| Project team members | Professor Dr. Angela Francke |
Completed Research Projects
The project investigates how infrastructure factors influence solo bicycle crashes, identifying danger pointsand developing measures to improve cycling safety.
| Bearbeitungszeit | 04/2022 – 12/2023 |
| Zuwendungsgeber | German Insurance Association (GDV) |
| Projektmitarbeiter:innen | Prof.in Dr.in Angela Francke |
CAMA promotes active mobility in Uganda, Kenya, and Ethiopia through research, capacity building, and knowledge exchange with German partner universities. The goal of the project is to foster safe and sustainable mobility options for pedestrians and cyclists.
| Bearbeitungszeit | 06/2021 – 05/2025 |
| Zuwendungsgeber | Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung gefördert (BMBF) Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) |
| Projektmitarbeiter:innen | Prof.in Dr.in Angela Francke (Project Manager) M.Sc. Azeb Tesfaye (Research Fellow) |
MOTMOTUS investigates how disruptive events transform cities and transport, using a simulation platform to model scenarios and derive targeted measures for sustainable and resilient mobility.
| Bearbeitungszeit | 11/2021 – 10/2024 |
| Zuwendungsgeber | Innovationsinitiative mFUND (Modernitätsfonds) des BMDV |
| Projektmitarbeiter:innen | Prof.in Dr.in Angela Francke (Project Manager) M.Sc. Shreya Singh (Research Fellow) |
Three online surveys examined purchase intentions and mobility habits around the temporary 9-Euro-Ticket in summer 2022, analysing barriers and potentials of such a measure from a traffic-psychological perspective.
| Bearbeitungszeit | 05/2022 – 06/2023 |
| Zuwendungsgeber | Self-funded |
| Projektmitarbeiter:innen | Prof.in Dr.in Angela Francke |
STARA expanded statistics education for civil, transport and environmental engineers through an interactive online tutorial. The tutorial presented a flexible and practice-oriented approach to statistical methods, software tools and a critical understanding of data – including gender and diversity perspectives.
| Bearbeitungszeit | 08/2022 – 04/2023 |
| Zuwendungsgeber | Central Teaching Fund, University of Kassel |
| Projektmitarbeiter:innen | Prof.in Dr.in Angela Francke |
- E-WIN - Efficient Winter Maintenance of Cycling Infrastructure in German Cities (Hamburg case study), 2019 - 2022. The project is funded by the Bundesministerium für Verkehr und digitale Infrastruktur (BMVI) through funds for the implementation of the National Cycling Plan (NRVP).
- Car-Free “Zukunftsstadt” - Week of the Good Life, iwithin the “Zukunftsstadt”-project 2019 - 2021, founded by Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF).
- Psychological Motivation Analysis for cycling - icommissioned by the City of Herne. Jun. 2019 - Sept. 2019.
- IntegRADtion – Integration on Two Wheels: Evaluation of cycling measures for people with migration experience in Germany, 2018 - 2020. The project is funded by the Bundesministerium für Verkehr und digitale Infrastruktur (BMVI) aus Mitteln zur Umsetzung des Nationalen Radverkehrsplans (NRVP) gefördert.
- RadVerS – Smartphone-generated behavioural data in transport: Differentiation of various cyclist groups’ user behaviours, 2017 - 2019. The project is funded by the Bundesministerium für Verkehr und digitale Infrastruktur (BMVI) through funds for the implementation of the National Cycling Plan (NRVP).
- Smartphone-generated behavioural data in cycling Examination of usability and development of an analysis guide for cycling planning practitioners, 2015 -2017. The project is funded by the Bundesministerium für Verkehr und digitale Infrastruktur (BMVI) through funds for the implementation of the National Cycling Plan (NRVP).
- True cost accounting in transport - doctoral research within the Dike Graduate College
- Price psychology and modal choice, especially road pricing, parking pricing, and transit pricing, "Ph.D. thesis on differentiated pricing systems in urban transportation"
- Employee and project management at the Centre for International Postgraduate Studies of Environmental Management