Measures to improve road safety or optimise driving behaviour are often only taken after accidents have already occurred. The main reason for this is that the risk of accidents on specific sections of road is difficult to quantify in advance. Whilst serious road accidents are statistically relatively rare, critical traffic situations – such as near-misses or risky driving manoeuvres – occur far more frequently. These are a clear indicator of an increased risk of accidents.
With the Mobility Observation Box (MOB), AIT has developed an innovative video-based traffic monitoring system that enables objective analyses of conflicts and behaviour. The MOB replaces previous manual and subjective surveys with precise, continuous observation of traffic events. Automatically classified interactions between people and vehicles can be analysed over defined periods without affecting the flow of traffic.
Safe routes to school
Using AI, trajectories (movement patterns) and road safety indicators are generated from the video data. The privacy of road users remains protected at all times. All processing is carried out in strict compliance with data protection regulations; the image data is stored temporarily exclusively in a secure area of the AIT network, and the sensor information is encrypted throughout.
The versatile applications of the MOB have already been demonstrated in various projects, including in cooperation with the ÖAMTC. For example, the system was deployed at several school sites in Austria to identify and assess high-risk traffic situations. The findings were discussed with the schools. Targeted measures to improve road safety around schools were recommended to towns and local authorities.
Comprehensive traffic analyses to tackle congestion
Furthermore, MOB has been used in Austria, Germany and Switzerland for comprehensive interaction analyses focusing on e-scooters. The data obtained is incorporated into guidelines and statutory regulations, which are discussed, for example, by the Austrian Road Safety Advisory Board of the Federal Ministry for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure (BMIMI). Furthermore, the system helps to optimise traffic light phasing by analysing traffic flows in order to reduce congestion and the associated economic losses and environmental impact.
MOB technology has been recognised with several international awards – such as the DEKRA Award, the Ö3 Transport Award and the European Excellence in Road Safety Award.
In addition to its use in road safety and research, MOB will in future be used increasingly to analyse internal traffic flows within companies, for example to evaluate health and safety on company premises. Further development for use in poor lighting conditions, such as in tunnels or at night, is currently being planned.
AIT connects science and innovation
The ability to rapidly translate new findings into marketable technologies and practical solutions is increasingly becoming a key competitive factor for Europe. At this interface between science, technology and application, applied research at the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology plays a central role. Austria’s largest research and technology organisation aligns its research closely with the needs of industry and current societal challenges. AIT’s research makes a difference and creates solutions – for businesses, society and, ultimately, for us all.
AIT Impact Report
The AIT Impact Report 2026 uses around 30 examples to illustrate how AIT, together with partners from industry, academia and the public sector, translates research into concrete solutions. The projects presented range from the digitalisation of industrial processes, through resilient infrastructure and sustainable energy and industrial systems, to health, mobility, security and the circular economy.
The AIT Impact Report 2026 is available online (in German): www.ait.ac.at/impact-report
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