FE 77.0522 / 2019 Scientific support for the participation of small electric vehicles in road traffic.

Since the participation of small electric vehicles (eKF) in road traffic was not regulated by law until summer 2019, there is no well-founded experience regarding the effects on traffic that can be expected.

The aim of the study is the scientific monitoring of the participation of small electric vehicles in road traffic as well as the evaluation of the resulting effects. The focus is on the following aspects:

- road safety, in particular:

—— Current accident events in Germany and forecast,

—— In-depth cause analysis and injury patterns,

—— Potential for conflict with other road users, especially children, people with reduced mobility and senior citizens.

- traffic flow,

- User behavior, traffic area use, use in particular as a so-called "last mile" vehicle,

- user characteristics,

- personal protective equipment (use, need and potential),

- infrastructure,

- vehicle technology,

- traffic law.

Key questions are:

- How is the (current) situation (e.g. market penetration, distribution of rental and private vehicles, VO-compliant and non-compliant eKF) to be described in Germany and abroad? Which interdisciplinary aspects need to be researched?

- What statements are there on traffic safety? (Traffic monitoring to analyze the conflict potential, traffic flow and user behavior)

- What statements about the accident can be made in the context of an accident analysis?

- Which characteristics characterize the users?

- What types and severity of injuries are there and how should the effectiveness of protective equipment be assessed?