Research
This page contains automatically translated content.
Our research is dedicated to sustainable mobility design with a focus on cycling and walking. We examine infrastructures, planning processes and the effects of transport policy measures in urban and rural areas.
Thematically, our work ranges from the analysis of social and spatial aspects of local mobility to questions of governance and management of mobility change.
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 makes cycling and walking fit for climate change and strengthens their role in the mobility transition. The project develops practical 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.
| Processing time | 02/2026 - 03/2029 |
| Funding provider | Funding for non-investment measures to implement the National Cycling Plan 3.0(NRVP), Federal Ministry of Transport(BMV) |
| Project team members | Professor Dr. Angela Francke (project manager) M.Sc. Frederik Hilden (research assistant) M.Sc. Jonas Kulhavy (Research Assistant) |
Socratic chatbots make it possible for engineers to experience psychological principles in an interactive and practical way. The project develops dialog-based learning aids that stimulate thinking through targeted questions, address misconceptions and, together with case-based scenarios, strengthen the transfer to engineering and transport.
| Processing time | 05/2026 - 04/2027 |
| Funding body | Funded by the Central Teaching Fund of the University of Kassel |
| Project team members | Professor Dr. Angela Francke (project manager) M.Sc. Johanna Wahle (research assistant) |
BikeCom makes cycling communication a key to the mobility transition and strengthens the acceptance of cycling as an attractive form of everyday mobility. The project develops practical communication formats, tests them in model projects and scales them via influencers to create an evidence-based toolkit for sustainable cycling promotion.
| Processing time | 12/2025 - 05/2028 |
| Funding provider | Funding for non-investment measures to implement the National Cycling Plan 3.0(NRVP), Federal Ministry of Transport(BMV) |
| Project team members | Professor Dr. Angela Francke (project manager) M.F.A. Simeon Uhl (Research Assistant) |
BRAVOUR focuses on the needs of cyclists and pedestrians at roadworks. The project analyzes traffic psychology, how traffic routes are perceived and develops practical solutions for more safety and acceptance.
| Processing time | 10/2022 - 03/2026 |
| Funding provider | Funding for non-investment measures to implement the National Cycling Plan 3.0(NRVP), Federal Ministry of Transport(BMV) |
| Project team members | Professor Dr. Angela Francke (project manager) M. Sc. Frederik Hilden (Research Assistant) M. Sc. Robin von Elm (Research Assistant) |
DyNaMo uses artificial intelligence to specifically improve the safety of cycling. The project analyzes the behavior of road users, develops infrastructure, training and assistance solutions based on this and thus creates the basis for the safe and sustainable mobility of tomorrow.
| Processing time | 01/2025 - 12/2028 |
| Funding body | Landes-Offensive zur Entwicklung Wissenschaftlich-ökonomischer Exzellenz (LOEWE), Hessian Ministry of Science and Research, Art and Culture |
| Project team members | Professor Dr. Angela Francke (project manager) M.Sc. Jonas Kulhavy (Research Assistant) |
EMPOWER-U strengthens family-friendly and inclusive mobility on campus. The project analyzes the mobility needs of women with care responsibilities and develops practical solutions - from adapted offers to the use of electric cargo bikes - for everyday and equitable campus mobility.
| Processing time | 03/2025 - 02/2026 |
| Funding body | University of Kassel, Special Fund for Structural Equal Opportunities |
| Project team members | Professor Dr. Angela Francke (project manager) M.Sc. Azeb Legese Tesfaye (research assistant) M.Sc. Shreya Singh (Research Assistant) |
Bicycle parking makes cycling suitable for everyday use and urban life more liveable. The project examines international best-practice solutions and develops concepts for safe, convenient and sustainable parking options - from classic racks to innovative parking systems.
| Processing time | 03/2025 - 08/2025 |
| Funding body | University of Kassel / SDG+ |
| Project team members | Professor Dr. 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 promote the use of environmentally friendly means of transportation and makes recommendations on how the UCC can strengthen its climate protection initiatives and act as a role model for sustainable university development.
| Processing time | April 1, 2025 - February 28, 2026 |
| Funding body | Alexander von Humboldt Foundation |
| Project team members | Professor Dr. Angela Francke (project leader) Manuel Nii Martey Mensah (Research Associate) |
MoveOn - Mobility for the Future is an international summer and autumn school for sustainable mobility that promotes interdisciplinary learning, practical workshops and global research partnerships. The aim is to familiarize young researchers with current methods, strengthen international dialogue and promote sustainable mobility solutions worldwide.
| Processing time | 09/2022 - 10/2022 09/2025 - 10/2025 |
| Funding body | Volkswagen Foundation Erasmus+ Mobility Program |
| Project team members | Professor Dr. Angela Francke (Project Manager) M.Sc. Azeb Tesfaye (Research Assistant) |
ProvinzNETZ is investigating how inter-municipal cycling infrastructure can improve the quality of life in rural regions. The project networks municipalities, analyzes mobility behavior and governance structures and develops practical recommendations for sustainable, inclusive and resilient mobility outside urban centers.
| Processing time | 11/2025 - 10/2028 |
| Funding provider | Funding for non-investment measures to implement the National Cycling Plan 3.0(NRVP), Federal Ministry of Transport(BMV) |
| Project team members | Professor Dr. Angela Francke (project manager) M.Sc. Azeb Tesfaye (research assistant) |
VELOA promotes cycling mobility among women, who are currently underrepresented. The project examines individual and structural barriers, develops inclusive participation processes and specifically integrates women's perspectives into bicycle traffic planning in order to create a more equitable and sustainable transportation system.
| Processing time | 11/2025 - 10/2028 |
| Funding provider | Funding for non-investment measures to implement the National Cycling Plan 3.0(NRVP), Federal Ministry of Transport(BMV) |
| Project team members | Professor Dr. Angela Francke (project manager) M.Sc. Shreya Singh (Research Assistant) M.Sc. Johanna Wahle (Research Assistant) |
Verkehre der Welt is developing a culturally sensitive learning module for primary school pupils that promotes road safety and sustainable mobility decisions. Practical, interactive and internationally oriented, it is to be implemented in schools in the long term.
| Processing time | 11/2024 - 05/2026 |
| Funding body | Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt) |
| Project team members | Professor Dr. Angela Francke (project manager) M.Sc. Shreya Singh (research assistant) M.Sc. Johanna Wahle (Research Assistant) |
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 infrastructural factors influence single-vehicle accidents involving cyclists. The aim is to identify danger spots and develop concrete measures to make cycling safer.
| Processing time | 04/2022 - 12/2023 |
| Funding body | German Insurance Association (Gesamtverband der Deutschen Versicherungswirtschaft e.V.) |
| Project team members | Professor Dr. Angela Francke |
CAMA promotes active mobility in Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia through research, capacity building and knowledge exchange with German partner universities. The aim is to strengthen safe and sustainable transportation options for pedestrians and cyclists.
| Processing time | 06/2021 - 05/2025 |
| Funding body | Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) |
| Project team members | Professor Dr. Angela Francke (project manager) M.Sc. Azeb Tesfaye (Research Assistant) |
MOTUS investigates how disruptive events change cities and transportation. A simulation platform is used to run through scenarios in order to derive targeted measures for sustainable and resilient mobility.
| Processing time | 11/2021 - 10/2024 |
| Funding body | Innovation initiative mFUND (Modernity Fund) of the BMDV |
| Project team members | Professor Dr. Angela Francke (project manager) M.Sc. Shreya Singh (Research assistant) |
The temporary introduction of the 9-euro ticket in summer 2022 offered the opportunity to research the potential effects of the ticket on individual mobility behavior. In three online surveys, aspects of willingness to buy and mobility habits were recorded in order to analyze obstacles and potentials of this measure from a transport psychology perspective.
| Processing time | 05/2022 - 06/2023 |
| Sponsor | Financed from own funds |
| Project team members | Professor Dr. Angela Francke |
STARA expands the teaching of statistics for civil, transportation and environmental engineers with an interactive online tutorial. Students gain practical, flexible access to statistical methods, software tools and a critical understanding of data - including gender and diversity perspectives.
| Completion time | 08/2022 - 04/2023 |
| Funding body | Funded by the Central Teaching Fund of the University of Kassel |
| Project team members | Professor Dr. Angela Francke |
- E-WIN - Efficient winter maintenance on cycling facilities in German cities using the example of the city of Hamburg, 2019 - 2022. The project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) from funds for the implementation of the National Cycling Plan (NRVP).
- Car-free city of the future - Week of the good life, as part of the City of the Future project, 2019 - 2021, funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)
- Psychological motivation analysis for cycling - commissioned by the City of Herne. Project duration: Jun. 2019-Sept. 2019.
- IntegRADtion - Integration on two wheels. Evaluation and further development of integrative cycling measures for people with migration experience in Germany, 2018 - 2020. The project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) from funds for the implementation of the National Cycling Plan (NRVP).
- RadVerS - Behavioral data generated with smartphones in traffic - Differentiation of the user behavior of different cyclist groups, 2017 - 2019. The project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) from funds for the implementation of the National Cycling Plan (NRVP).
- Behavioral data generated with smartphones in cycling - usability review and development of an evaluation guide for stakeholders in cycling planning, 2015 -2017. The project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) from funds for the implementation of the National Cycling Plan (NRVP).
- "Cost truth in transport" - Graduate in the doctoral program "Dike"
- Price psychology and mode choice behavior, in particular road pricing, parking pricing and transit pricing, "Promotion of differentiated pricing systems in inner-city traffic"
- Employee and project management at the Center for International Postgraduate Studies of Environmental Management