Essential competences for SAFER has been divided into eleven competence areas, each with a competence area leader. The core of a competence area is the academy, but all SAFER partner researchers are equally important. The competence supply at SAFER is based on the notion that the partners (institutes, industry, institutions) make resources available, recruit personnel when needed and develop the competences identified as crucial.

To make this work, a close dialogue between partners is a necessity. The academy has a special responsibility to ensure the scientific quality and be the keeper of jointly achieved research results. The partners in a project all invest in competence in SAFER and in the essential areas Chalmers maintains and gives “interest” on this investment, such as students or the proximity of good academic researchers, laboratory equipment, or new research methodology.

The Competence Areas are: Field Data, Behaviour in Accident Causation, Human Factors Design, Driving Simulator Applications, Sensors & Communication, Functional Safety, Vehicle Dynamics, Infrastructure, Structures & Materials, Biomechanics & Protective Systems, and Traffic Systems.

The competence areas develop through strong projects, international collaboration, visiting professors and researchers and the participation of all partners. It is the responsibility of each competence area to know state-of-the art of global research and what’s perceived as world-class research. Each should have a short and long-term plan for competence development.