SMART low-carbon transport
Overview
Background & policy context:
The TransSmart spearhead project is a platform for the development of smooth-running, cost-efficient and environmentally friendly transport systems. Our transportation systems need to be reshaped to make them more sustainable. This should involve using low-carbon energy, employing clean and energy-efficient vehicles, devising intelligent ITC and transport solutions, and supporting the necessary socio-technical changes. The project has been initiated and is coordinated by VTT, in line with two of VTT’s strategic priorities: sustainable development and the digital world. It takes advantage of VTT’s multidisciplinary expertise in traffic and transportation. The programme has both social and business dimensions.
Objectives:
The research project has two main targets:
- to produce efficient transport services by minimizing both costs and environmental impacts (societal aspect)
- to develop new business opportunities for Finnish companies in context of low-carbon and intelligent transport, cleantech and smart cities (e.g. biofuels, electric vehicles and ICT/ITS).
Methodology:
The TransSmart project will create new tools while also utilising existing research methods for forecasting, impact assessment, modelling and analysing user behaviour. These tools may be applied to steer developments and facilitate well-informed decisions in the public and private sector that will take us towards a smart, low-carbon transport system. One example of an ongoing smart transport system development project part is the Co-Nordic TOP-NEST project, funded by Nordic Energy Research (NER). This project examines systemic change towards a road transport system in 2050 based entirely on renewable energy. Technology platforms and energy sources under consideration include electricity, biofuels and hydrogen. The necessary future value chains and political decisions are being analysed for four different future scenarios.
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