National traffic system planning

• The transport system includes the mobility of different groups of people, transports for businesses and the mobility needs of its actors, transport infrastructure, means of transport, traffic control and management, traffic information and services, and communications connections.
• The development of the transport system is essential for reasons such as the planned use of areas, regional development, competitiveness of business, mitigation of climate change, daily lives of citizens and security of supply. The development of the transport system places an emphasis on cooperation between different actors and coordination of different measures 
• Transport system planning involves continuous and interactive operational planning of traffic and the transport network. It is based on the assessment of impacts on planning based on collaboration between authorities and other operators.  Its objective is to promote a functional, safe and sustainable transport system. Transport system planning influences the development of the entire community structure.
• Transport system plans and the monitoring of their implementation are part of transport system work.

National transport system planning aims for long-term, predictable activities for the development of the transport system over government terms. In addition to national transport system planning, the regions, major urban areas and municipalities carry out continuous transport system planning, which serves regional needs and provides inputs to the national planning level. The National Transport System Plan applies to all of Finland and all modes of transport. The plan guides how the Government will develop the Finnish transport system.

The preparation of the National Transport System Plan is based on the Highways Act (503/2005), which contains provisions on transport system planning and its objectives, the preparation of the National Transport System Plan and the content of the plan.

The transport system plays an important role in the functioning of society. According to Government report VNS 8/2018 vp, the societal objectives for the development of the transport system include promoting Finland's competitiveness, mitigating climate change and securing the vitality and accessibility of regions. These societal goals are promoted through transport system planning, while meeting the different mobility and transport needs of customers, i.e. people and business life, across Finland.

The role of the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency in transport system planning

• The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency is involved in the drafting of the national transport system plan, the preparation of measures with regard to transport networks and land use cooperation in its role as an infrastructure management expert and network asset manager. 
• is involved in the coordination of transport and land use and the drafting of the national transport system plan.
• contributes to the planning of regional transport systems in cooperation with the regional councils, municipalities, urban districts and other actors.

National Transport System Plan (Transport 12) 

The first National Transport System Plan was prepared for 2021–2032 (in Finnish). Preparation of a plan is based on the Highways Act.

The purpose of the National Transport System Plan is to increase the far-sightedness of transport policy. The National Transport System Plan will present an analysis of the current state and operating environment of the transport system, a vision for the development of the transport system running until 2050, and targets for the transport system plan. The plan contains a 12-year action plan setting out measures by central and local government as well as a state funding programme for the transport system. The plan also describes the impacts of implementing the transport system plan.

The Ministry of Transport and Communications is responsible for the preparation of a national transport system plan. The plan is approved by the Government. Before this, it will be presented to Parliament as a report. The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency participates in the preparation of national transport system planning, especially with regard to the maintenance and development of the state-owned road network, railways and waterways.

Three objectives have been set for the National Transport System Plan, which are parallel and all aim to mitigate climate change:

• Accessibility: The transport system will guarantee the accessibility of the entire country and respond to the needs of businesses, commuting and housing.
• Sustainability: The possibilities that people have to choose more sustainable modes of transport will improve, especially in urban areas.
• Efficiency: The socio-economic efficiency of the transport system will improve.