PTV Group and SU strengthen joint commitment to Intelligent Transport Systems

PTV Group, a German company specialising in software and consulting services for traffic and transportation, mobility and logistics, will support research and development at the Stellenbosch Smart Mobility Laboratory with its renowned software solutions for transportation modelling and simulation. The two partners will also collaborate closely on mobility and intelligent transport system projects. PTV Group and Stellenbosch University are excited to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to underpin this joint commitment to innovation in smart and sustainable mobility.

As part of SU’s Faculty of Engineering, the Stellenbosch Smart Mobility Laboratory (SSML) focuses on technology solutions and data applications for transportation engineering. The SSML provides a state-of-the-art research and teaching environment for the development of innovative and cost-effective transportation solutions for developing countries. With access to PTV’s leading transport modelling and simulation software PTV Visum and PTV Vissim, students can conduct their mobility studies under realistic transportation planning conditions, and thus become better prepared for their future working environments.

Another vision of the SSML is to make Stellenbosch the first transport-orientated “smart city” in South Africa. The University and PTV are working closely together and with the Stellenbosch Municipality on a project to coordinate traffic signals in the town in real-time, to reduce congestion. For this project, the SSML uses a PTV transport model for testing and calibrating the adaptive traffic signal control systems in the town, which are also based on PTV software.

“Stellenbosch University and the PTV Group have maintained a close relationship for many years,” says Christian Haas, CEO of PTV Group. “I am pleased that we can now give this an official framework with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding. Our joint project with the Stellenbosch Municipality shows how fruitful this partnership already is. Together we will empower cities in South Africa on their way to smart, sustainable mobility.”

Dr Johann Andersen, Associate Professor of Intelligent Transportation Systems at Stellenbosch University adds “I’m very excited that we now have this arrangement with PTV Group. Our students benefit from the software of the industry leader when learning, working, and researching in the SSML. This enables them to do realistic transportation planning and makes them sought-after transportation planners and engineers on graduation.”

About PTV

PTV Group is a leading global software company for traffic planning, simulation, and real-time management, as well as a provider of optimisation solutions for transport logistics. With more than 40 years of experience in the fields of mobility and logistics, the Germany-based company provides software products based on proprietary algorithms. The software ranges from microscopic and macroscopic modeling and simulation of traffic to real-time traffic management, benefiting more than 2,500 cities and municipalities. In addition, PTV is one of the leading companies providing software for the planning and optimisation of logistics processes, especially in the field of route planning and tour optimisation. Bridgepoint acquired a majority stake in the company in February 2022 to further accelerate its growth, together with minority shareholder Porsche Automobil Holding SE.

For further information please contact:
Stefanie Schmidt, Lead PR & Communications | t: +49-721-9651-7451 | email: stefanie.schmidt@ptvgroup.com
Prof Johann Andersen, Head: Intelligent Transportation Systems & Stellenbosch Smart Mobility Lab | t: +27 21 808 4025  | email: jandersen@sun.ac.za

Photograph: Our Stellenbosch Smart Mobility Lab, demonstrated to students by transportation engineering lecturer Ms Megan Bruwer, provides a world-class platform for research and the development of smart mobility solutions that promote sustainable, safe and optimised transport.