At Whitsun, the Ulm Network for Citizen Science is undertaking a week-long research cycle tour with around ten people along the Danube Cycle Path. Over a distance of around 400 kilometres, they will not only explore the landscape, but also carry out targeted research: a newly developed sensor system records road damage with millimetre precision, while the participants document biodiversity along the route using an app. At the same time, the tour serves as a platform for dialogue with citizen science projects along the way. Also in the saddle: the Ulm University of Applied Sciences (SICURA project), the ADFC Ulm/Neu-Ulm/Alb-Donau-Kreis and Ulm University with the Centre for General Continuing Academic Education (ZAWiW) and the Botanical Garden. The project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the Hans Sauer Foundation.
Citizen Science opens up research to anyone interested. Citizens can collect data, formulate questions and analyse results. The Ulm Citizen Science Network pools projects and activities and invites people of all ages from Ulm, Neu-Ulm and the surrounding area to join in the research. This tour gives the network supra-regional visibility - and enters into dialogue with projects along the Danube.
Research focus on the road
The SICURA sensor system precisely records the condition of the road and classifies damage or obstacles. With the help of two depth cameras, a LiDAR scanner, a 360° camera and AI algorithms, potholes, cracks and bottlenecks are recognised, assessed and precisely located via GPS. This generates valuable data for greater road safety and efficient road maintenance.
At the same time, the cyclists use the iNaturalist app to map plants and animals on site. Each observation flows into an international biodiversity database and supplements the maps of road conditions. The surveys are supported by the Botanical Garden of Ulm University.
Exchange along the Danube
Austria is one of Europe's most active citizen science countries. The tour is therefore also an opportunity for networking and cooperation along the Danube. The plan is to exchange ideas with citizen science enthusiasts along the tour who are researching the water quality of the Danube ("Danube4all") or the endangered "Kremser Scorpion" and who also use the iNaturalist app. The route leads through impressive natural and cultural landscapes such as the Schlögener Schlinge, the Strudengau and the UNESCO cultural landscape of the Wachau. Impressions, research results and encounters will be shared daily during the tour on Instagram at @ulm.forscht.gemeinsam.
Overview
05.06.2025 Arrival Ulm → Passau
06.06.2025 Passau → Schlögener Schlinge
07.06.2025 Schlögener Schlinge → Linz
08.06.2025 Linz → Grein
09.06.2025 Grein → Melk
10.06.2025 Melk → Traismauer
11.06.2025 Traismauer → Klosterneuburg
12.06.2025 Vienna - Meeting with Citizen Science projects
13.06.2025 Return journey Vienna → Ulm
Further information:
Dorothee Hoffmann, Ulm University, Centre for General Continuing Academic Education (ZAWiW), e-mail: dorothee.hoffmann(at)uni-ulm.de Phone: 0731 50-26630
Ulm Network for Citizen Science