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Intelligent transport

  1. What is intelligent transport?
  2. Intelligent transport in the Government Programme
  3. Finland's Strategy for Intelligent Transport
  4. The aims to be reached by 2020 in the strategy
  5. FITSRUS project  

1. What is intelligent transport?

Intelligent transport refers to improving smooth and safe travel by means of information and communication technologies. Intelligent solutions make travel easier and more predictable for citizens, whether they choose private motoring or public transport.

Intelligent transport represents an effort to shift the focus of transport policy from the construction and maintenance of transport infrastructure to smooth travel and transports.
  • Intelligent transport is sustainable development
  • Intelligent transport is equality
  • User-friendly and inexpensive services
  • Respect of privacy
  • Using familiar solutions
  • Interoperability of services
  • Strong cooperation across networks

2. Intelligent transport in the Government Programme

The Government Programme of Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen emphasises the importance of intelligent transport. The Programme outlines that the Government will promote new intelligent transport services, financial steering, and innovations on the basis of Finland’s Strategy for Intelligent Transport.

The goal is that intelligent transport systems support the development of transport efficiency. The Government will also set out to examine the introduction of GPS-based road user charges and, at the beginning of the parliamentary term, it will make decisions on which new development projects will be the first to be launched.

3. Finland’s Strategy for Intelligent Transport

The aim of the strategy for intelligent transport is to turn Finland into a significant provider and exporter of intelligent transport services and products. This also involves promoting the wide-spread use of innovations and safeguarding a high-standard infrastructure with extensive coverage for intelligent transport.

The objective is to link the opportunities offered by intelligent transport closely to transport policy objectives. An action plan has been completed for 2010–2015. On 15 April 2010, the Government adopted a resolution on promoting intelligent transport based on this strategy.

Information and communication technologies are a key tool in transport policy renewal. The aim is to improve the service capacity of the transport system and productivity of infrastructure maintenance, improve road safety, promote the use of public transport, cycling and walking and to advance the goals of climate and environmental policies.

Active internationalisation and participation in international activities of this sector will be promoted. Easy and inexpensive accessibility of information for intelligent transport services will also be safeguarded.

Finland’s Strategy for Intelligent Transport comprises eight key projects that have been evaluated, in euros, in terms of their financial impact. The strategy also suggests how work and responsibilities should be divided between administration, business life and other operators and how societal interaction should be arranged.

4. The aims to be reached by 2020 in the strategy

  • The productivity of infrastructure maintenance and the transport system will have increased by 10 per cent more than the increase in general productivity
  • Every year, 50 lives will be saved in road transport
  • Logistics costs will have been reduced to a level almost on par with those of our international competitors
  • Commuter traffic delays caused by congestion will have been reduced by 20 per cent
  • Public transport, cyclists and pedestrians will make up a 20 per cent larger share of all trips

Vision for intelligent transport in 2020: the Finnish transport system will be one of the most advanced and efficient in the world

  • Traffic will flow more easily and will be more environmentally friendly and safe.
  • A transport system operated in real time will provide travellers with constant travel and transport information as well as information on any conditions affecting them.
  • The transport infrastructure and transport services will be used significantly more efficiently than now.
    Transport policy will address transport problems, not merely construct infrastructure
  • Cost-effective logistics will improve Finland’s competitiveness.
  • Finnish businesses will produce innovations that are further developed into successful ITS exports. Transport between Finland and Russia will be made smoother through a project to be launched on intelligent transport.

5. FITSRUS project

The FITSRUS project aims to improve cross-border traffic between Finland and Russia. The objective of the project is to promote the creation of cross-border services and to consequently improve the smoothness of transport. Another goal is to increase cooperation between Finnish and Russian actors in private and public sectors.

The purpose is to improve the safety, efficiency and environment friendliness of passenger travel and transports by utilising intelligent transport services.

The Ministry of Transport and Communications is the commissioner and supervisor of the project. Other Finnish parties involved in the project include VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Sito Oy, TIEKE Finnish Information Society Development Centre, Nokia Siemens Networks, Indagon Oy, Vaisala Corporation and Siemens Osakeyhtiö.