In research on "automated and networked driving", simulation models or simulators are used, but also specially equipped test vehicles. This generates large amounts of data. The first (digital) "NFDI4Ing Community Meeting CC-44" of Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Transport and Traffic Sciences and Systems Engineering – organised in cooperation by TU Dresden, SLUB and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) – dealt with the collection, handling and subsequent use of this research data.

The event focused on the data life cycle and the FAIR principles of data use – considered on the basis of the topic of "automated and networked mobility". Challenges and visions for the future were discussed in an interdisciplinary way and best practice examples were presented that make data management tangible.

"Comprehensive research data management not only adds value to one's own work, but also promotes the scientific field as a whole," said Prof. Regine Gerike, Head of the Chair of Integrated Transport Planning and Traffic Engineering at the "Friedrich List" Faculty of Transport and Traffic Sciences at TU Dresden, under whose organisational leadership the community meeting took place. "Through the collaborative work with our community, we were able to gather valuable suggestions and ideas for the further steps within NFDI4Ing. The interdisciplinary orientation can also open up further interdisciplinary points of contact and in the process trigger the identification of the central challenges of data exchange," she added.

Informative keynotes and impressive practical examples

Two keynotes gave the 45 participants from university institutions, research centres and libraries from all over Germany an introduction to the topic of "Automated and Connected Mobility": Prof. Markus Lienkamp (TU Munich, Chair of Automotive Engineering) spoke on the topic of "Open Source, Open Data, Open Mind". He reported on how more can be achieved in the field of autonomous driving through collaboration, open source and open data. The participants were impressed by his practical example of the Indy Autonomous Challenge - a large-scale race with autonomous racing cars, which took place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in October 2021.

The second keynote was delivered by Prof. Peter Wagner (DLR, Institute of Transport Systems Engineering). In his presentation on "Simulation of Traffic Systems", he used practical examples to highlight exactly what data is needed for and where challenges still lie in the interaction of data and simulation models from the perspective of the motor vehicle.

The two presentations were followed by an exchange on other successful practical applications with input from representatives of the German Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence, the Technical University of Braunschweig and the DLR, among others.

Exploring interdisciplinary networking opportunities

In the subsequent thematic block "Interdisciplinary Data Management", interdisciplinary networking possibilities were explored together and requirements for the exchange of research data were discussed. In parallel sessions, researchers were able to learn about current developments and possibilities for expanding their research data management skills: In "Modern Research Data Management", aspects of personal data management and the requirements of funding bodies were discussed. In "Publishing and Archiving", information was provided on the status of data repositories for mobility and transport research and on the new data journal "ing.grid", which will provide a platform for open discussion of all data management topics for the engineering sciences, among others.

The evaluation of the interactive sessions and the survey conducted among the participants is currently underway. The findings, such as the needs of the community or existing developments, will be incorporated into the work with the community and form the basis for further events. In a next step, the members of the Cluster 44 Community Board will meet virtually on 24 May for the inaugural meeting.

Taking into account the FAIR principles, a summary of the community meeting will be made available online on Zenodo at: https://zenodo.org/communities/nfdi4ing/?page=1&size=20