TransSmart: Towards Smart Sustainable Mobility

TransSmart, Smart Mobility Integrated with Low-carbon Energy, is a research programme coordinated by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. It was launched in the beginning of 2013 as a platform for strategic research for transport in order to create a fluent, cost-effective and environment-friendly transport system.

Through its strong networks, e.g. its consortium agreement with FINTRIP (Finnish Transport Research Innovation Partnership), TransSmart has evolved into a nationally recognized programme and the number one vehicle towards sustainable transport in Finland.

The building blocks in creating a better transport system include elements such as low-carbon energy, clean and energy-efficient vehicles, high-performance ICT solutions, adoption of intelligent transport services as well as pro-active socio-technical transition.

Our vision of the future transport system has recently been presented in the publication Smart Sustainable Mobility.

The TransSmart programme is strongly linked to two of VTT’s strategic focal points – sustainable development and the digital world. VTT has the critical mass and interdisciplinary know-how to drive a change in transport. VTT is not building a better future alone. TransSmart is closely linked to industry, government and also to other research organizations than just VTT.

The external steering group has representation from four ministries, government agencies, local government, industry and academia.

VTT’s partners in actual research include actors such as Aalto University, Government Institute for Economic Research, GreenNet Finland, Kymenlaakso University of Applied Sciences, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Ramboll, Tampere University of Technology and Turku University of Applied Sciences.

TransSmart has signed a framework agreement with Helsinki Region Transport (HSL). HSL is responsible for public transport and the transportation system in metropolitan Helsinki, and is actually procuring more than 60 % of the bus services in Finland. The cooperation encompasses fuel efficiency, sustainable biofuels, electrification of the bus system, smart mobility services, continuous improvement of the tendering system and foresight, all key topics within TransSmart.

The research programme 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).

In addition to above mentioned targets the programme produces information and tools for decision makers in order to encourage and contribute to the profound change of the transport system. The total scope of the four-year programme will be around 50 million euros.

Within the TransSmart programme, there are four main themes: low-carbon energy, advanced vehicles, smart mobility services and the transport system itself. The solid foundation of the work is based on understanding megatrends as well as weak signals of change, user demands and business opportunities. TransSmart provides foresight and support for decision making, for government as well as for industry.

Prolific cooperation with companies is a built-in feature of TransSmart. We have the ability to create living lab environments and to set up ambitious research and pilot projects supporting product development and verification. We are building a smart low-carbon transport system and a brighter future in cooperation.

Contacts:

TransSmart coordination:

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland
Nils-Olof Nylund, nils-olof.nylund@vtt.fi
Veikko Karvonen, veikko.karvonen@vtt.fi

Chairman of the steering committee:

Ministry of Transport and Comminications
Saara Jääskeläinen, saara.jaaskelainen@mintc.fi

TransSmart external communication:

Motiva Ltd
Kati Laakso, kati.laakso@motiva.fi
Sirpa Mustonen, sirpa.mustonen@motiva.fi