Already from the planning stage, the Finnish Transport Agency will thoroughly determine the project’s impact upon the environment and people residing in the area in question. Valuable information is collected from the residents of the target area via various feedback systems. Safety factors are also fastidiously taken into consideration during the planning and implementation stages.
The Finnish Transport Agency requires a commitment to responsible construction as well as concrete measures for reaching that objective from all of its partners and subcontractors. There is a trial bonus system in use at some work sites, rewarding companies and employees for fulfilling the safety objectives. If unexpected factors occur during the course of the work, for example, with regard to the environment, they are thoroughly investigated. Construction of the Ring Rail Line was suspended for two weeks due to glycol problems detected in the area, and the site was not opened until the problems had been eliminated.
Project planning must increasingly take changes in weather conditions and extreme phenomena. An increasing amount of floods and storms is to be expected; in the worst case scenario, they may cause major traffic disruptions. The Finnish Transport Agency takes changes in weather conditions into consideration in both the overall planning and its everyday practices, which is evident in, for example, the dimensioning of drainage culverts. Legislation has been prepared, particularly on the railway side of things, to make it easier to remove trees that pose a risk of falling on electrical lines during storms.
Open attitude and culture required
In the project implementation and procurement, the Finnish Transport Agency wishes to further develop the joint operating model of the service providers and the Agency beneficially for both safety and the environment using agreement techniques. In planning and construction, the open usage of data models and existing data will play an even larger role, and the project plans currently beginning require the use of a data model.
The Finnish Transport Agency wishes to increase the use of recycled and secondary materials in construction, for instance by using industry by-products on road construction sites. The quality of recycled products will be closely monitored, and the environmental impact will be thoroughly investigated. Legislation has thus far hindered the use of recycled materials, but there is hope for the legislation enabling more extensive use of secondary materials in the coming years.