You are here
Science Slam
"How to understand traffic when there is war?" - Dr. Anna Sotnikova from the Chair of Transport Modeling and Simulation presented her research last friday at the Science4Peace Slam in the Frauenkirche Dresden. The event is a cooperation project between UNU Flores and the Technische Sammlungen Dresden.
Science4Peace Science Slam
Science in times of crises and wars - The Science4Peace Science Slam in Frauenkirche Dresden on November 15, 2024 was all about peace research:
"In keeping with the Frauenkirche, the focus is on topics that deal with peace in our world: from conflict research and sustainable development to innovative technologies that help shape a better future. This makes it clear how science builds a bridge to peace - in a generally understandable, surprising and inspiring way."
The event took the form of an international science slam, in which scientists give insights into current research projects in a short, understandable and entertaining way. At the end, the audience's applause decides which contribution is awarded the prize. The Science4Peace Science Slam is organized in cooperation with UNU Flores and the Technische Sammlungen Dresden.
UNI Flores
The UNU Institute for Integrated Material Flow and Resource Management (UNU-FLORES) is one of 13 international research institutes of the United Nations University (UNU) based in Dresden. Funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the Saxon State Ministry of Science, Culture and Tourism, the institute is dedicated to promoting the sustainable management of environmental resources under the influence of climate, land use and population structure.
Transport research in war and crisis zones
At this year's Science4Peace Slam, the “Friedrich List” Faculty of Transport and Traffic Sciences was represented by Dr. Anna Sotnikova, research assistant at the Chair of Transport Modelling and Simulation. She presented her research on “How to understand traffic when there is war?”.
Anna Sotnikova completed her doctorate at Lviv Polytechnic National University (Ukraine) on the topic of “Specifics of transport flows’ formation in war conditions”. The research objective was to understand mobility indicators, such as the link coefficient of variance and the congestion index, in the initial phase of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This involved comparing data on traffic flows at various locations with events from the war. The investigations were carried out using Rapidex, a traffic modeling tool developed vy Prof. Travis Waller (head of the Chair of Transport Modelling and Simulation) and colleagues. As a result, a wide range of conclusions can be drawn from the findings, for example for the reconstruction of transport infrastructure after a war, but also for the prediction and prevention of traffic restrictions or for the protection of the population. Similar model calculations already exist for other scenarios such as natural disasters. However, the research field of traffic modeling in war and crisis zones is unique and still holds a lot of potential.
The project is my way of speaking about the war in Ukraine and reminding the world that the war is not over. Talking about my research activities is my contribution, even if I can't be on the ground in Ukraine. The Science Slam made me realize the importance of my research and inspired me for future science projects.
With the Science4Peace Slam on November 15, Dr. Sotnikova begins her work as a research assistant at the Chair of Transport Modelling and Simulation.
We wish her all the best and much success in her future reserach.