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 in transport policy from constructing and maintaining 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

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 the National Strategy for Intelligent Transport.

The goal during the next four years 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.

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.

The Finnish 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.

The aims to be reach by 2020 in the strategy 

The productivity of infrastructure management 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 20 per cent
• Public transport, cyclists and pedestrians will make up a 20 per cent larger share of all trips

Intelligent transport vision 2020: Our intelligent transport system will be one of the most advanced in the world

• Transport services will be better, smoother, more environmentally friendly and safer
• Travellers will be informed in real time of transport conditions
• The infrastructure will be used efficiently
• Transport policy will address transport problems, not only construct infrastructure
• Effective logistics will improve Finland's competitiveness
• Finland will be a significant player in the global intelligent transport market.