World-class Arctic testing ecosystem for intelligent transport opens in Fell Lapland
A world-class Arctic testing ecosystem for intelligent transport and automated driving is being built in Finnish Lapland. Today, players interested in the intelligent transport gathered in Fell Lapland to look ahead to the future. The first actions and the first partnership agreement related to the project were announced at the event. Under the agreement, the Norwegian and Finnish road transport authorities will continue their close cooperation in Northern Finland and Northern Norway. Their aim is to develop the safety and efficiency of cross-border traffic by means of intelligent transport systems.
"Aurora's goal is to create a world-class, Arctic testing area for intelligent transport, which will provide business opportunities for Finnish and international companies. We have a chance to make Finland into a global leader in developing intelligent transport systems and digital traffic infrastructure," says Reija Viinanen, Managing Director of the Fell Lapland Business Services.
First actions to be implemented
International and domestic policy-makers in the transport sector, industry representatives and potential partners, as well as developers and researchers, gathered to discuss cooperation opportunities in Olos today.
"The Aurora project is considered beneficial to the whole of Finland. Roadside test systems and instruments for intelligent transport will create possibilities to be prepared both the automation of road transport and to the intelligent road asset management. This information can be exploited in the cost-effective development of intelligent transport in other parts of Finland as well," says Antti Vehviläinen, Director General of the Finnish Transport Agency.
One of the first intelligent transport services in the area will be a reindeer warning system, which will use GIS technology and digitalisation to improve road safety. Services, initially for professional drivers, but later to consumers, will support reporting and receipt of safety messages via mobile phone. The aim is to trial this service in the Fell Lapland area as early as the autumn of 2016. This service is provided by several companies.
Aurora will also see new mobility services (MaaS) being developed. Tourists in Ylläs will benefit from the “Ylläs Around” application, with which it is possible to combine public transport trips easily and affordably. The MaaS service operator is Sonera.
The overarching Aurora project will focus on intelligent transport automation, connected cars, intelligent asset management and mobility as a service.
Aurora is open to all potential participants. Current participants include the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the Finnish Transport Agency, the Finnish Transport Safety Agency Trafi, the National Land Survey of Finland, the Finnish Meteorological Institute, ITS Finland, HERE, Roadscanners Oy, Lapland Proving Ground, Ylläs Travel Association and Fell Lapland Business Services.
For discussions of the Aurora Symposium, see the Twitter hashtag #snowbox. An invitation-only event, the symposium was organised by Fell Lapland Business Services in cooperation with the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the Finnish Transport Agency, and the Finnish Transport Safety Agency Trafi.
More information:
Reija Viinanen, +358 400 423 370, [email protected], www.snowbox.fi, @SnowboxFinland.