Overview
The research theme’s topic areas were selected to support the Finnish Road Administration’s 2006–2010 environmental policy “Towards an ecoefficient transport system”.
The theme builds on the four-stage principle of road and transport planning. According to the principle, before major new investment, the priority should first be to manage mobility demand, curb greenhouse gas emissions, then support environmentally friendly modes of travel, and to improve the efficiency of use of the existing transport route network.
The objective of this research theme is to determine how ecological efficiency and safety in road management can be improved by means of road management methods, administrative co-operation, and stakeholder collaboration. The Finnish Road Administration focuses on ecological operating methods, a more comprehensive transport system viewpoint, and a more sustainable transport mode distribution.
The following themes are included in the programme:
- Safe mobility and a healthy living environment,
- A sustainable community and quality of life,
- Reducing the environmental impacts of roads,
- Sustainable use of natural resources and ecological efficiency,
- Development of impact assessment methods.
The programme consists of over 20 research projects per year; many of these are funded jointly with other research programmes (for example LINTU programme and Sustainable Community).
Funding
Annual budget of the programme is about €600 000.