Objective
In recent years artificial turf has become more and more important as a sport surface in Europe. The advantages of artificial turf fields are obvious: higher number of using hours, more constant performance and usable in a large variety of climates. However, until now only specialised artificial turf fields for single, specific sport use have been developed, mainly in use for high-end purposes: top hockey fields, top soccer fields, etc.
Local governments, schools, amateur sport clubs, owners of sports facilities would like to profit from the advantages of artificial sport and playing fields, but are now forced to invest in different highly specialised fields. They call for a multifunctional, more general-use field without the desire to compromise on sport needs and safety needs. This need for multifunctional artificial turf fields is even more urgent because in most European cities space becomes scare. Current technology is not sufficient to answer these needs; new concepts have to be developed.
In this project it is foreseen to create innovation in three ways:
-By developing of a predictive design tool for multi-use artificial turf fields. With such a tool different functional and technical requirements can be tailored for multifunctional fields in a short time, that is, without trial and error experimental work making field development more economic friendly and first time right.
-By using user-centred research (biomechanics and human modelling) for the determination of needs and requirements of users for both optimal performance and prevention of injuries.
-By cooperation of all partners in the production chain and research partners involved in sports and technology.
These innovations will make it possible to develop new concepts for artificial turf fields, which can then be evaluated in short time and in an economic friendly way. With this, safe sports and recreation are possible for larger part of the European population.
Fields of science
Call for proposal
FP6-2003-SME-1
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
Data not availableCoordinator
DELFT
Netherlands