Press release
PTV employee becomes head of the Karlsruhe Institute for Traffic Engineering
Successful symbiosis of business and science: Dr.-Ing. Peter Vortisch from PTV AG joins University of Karlsruhe
Karlsruhe, Germany, June 30, 2010. Coming full circle: Dr.-Ing. Peter Vortisch (45), head of transport planning software development at PTV, will assume the chair of the Institute for Traffic Engineering at KIT, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology as of July 1, 2010.
Vortisch has been the third director of the KIT department since its foundation. His aim is to strengthen the cooperation of different disciplines, such as traffic engineering, transportation planning and computer science and to deal intensely with the new opportunities in the field of traffic telematics.
As many other PTV employees, Peter Vortisch graduated from the University of Karlsruhe where he studied Computer Science with a minor in Traffic Engineering. During his university studies, he worked as a graduate assistant at the Institute for Traffic Engineering and then took on a position as permanent research associate. In 1989 he joined PTV. He was one of the driving forces behind the development of software for traffic simulation, traffic management and traffic engineering. Moreover, he was in charge of international business development with a particular focus on North America and India.
The development of the Institute for Traffic Engineering
The Institute was founded in 1962 by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Wilhelm Leutzbach who headed the Department over a period of 20 years. For the first time, scientists analysed traffic and transport in a mathematical and theoretical manner and combined this subject with the new opportunities in computer science. This led to a separate branch focussing on traffic simulation.
His successor, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dirk Zumkeller, placed a particular emphasis on empirical mobility and travel behaviour research. Traffic and transport were no longer analysed in terms of demand, meaning roads are built on the basis of the people's demand. The new trend was towards supply-based traffic and transport planning, meaning traffic develops with the infrastructure that is currently offered.
As of July 2010, Vortisch will set new standards. He says: "I will focus on all types of traffic and transport by maintaining close ties to the industry. My aim is to combine basic research and product development at KIT, for example for traffic simulation tools. I am confident that cooperations with industry partners will result in growth for both the Department and the other parties involved."
Knowledge cycle par excellence
From the University to business and back again. This is how students and research associates can gain valuable knowledge from professors with practical experience, and develop and explore new approaches.
PTV Planung Transport Verkehr AG, which originated from the University of Karlsruhe thirty years ago, still maintains close ties to research and education. The company always offers student internships and topics for master theses. Five PTV employees have joined a university as head of a department. Moreover, the company supports several employees in their role as university lecturer.
In 1979, Dr.-Ing. Hans Hubschneider, PTV's CEO, laid the foundation for this globally renowned company with approximately 700 employees. At that time, he also worked as a research assistant at the Institute of Traffic Engineering. Hubschneider emphasises: "Traffic, transport and mobility are key issues that are of vital importance to our society. The close cooperation between industry, education and research will help everyone move forward. I welcome and support the exchange of qualified staff."
Download
Press release as PDF fileImages
> Download [236.91 Kb]
