in content lists or on the content page.A large-scale project, the Traffic Revolution, run jointly by Sitra and four ministries was launched today at Korjaamo Culture Factory in Helsinki. Sitra is coordinating the project together with the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the Ministry of Employment and the Economy, the Ministry of Finance, and Ministry of the Environment.
The Traffic Revolution development programme aims at introducing a new user and solution-centred way of thinking and processes in traffic and urban planning. The project is also seeking improved profitability and impact for traffic solutions.
“The shared will and united decision to launch the development programme was reached quite rapidly among the key actors,” says Juha Kostiainen, Director of Sitra’s Public Leadership and Management Programme.
According to Kostiainen, the Traffic Revolution targets an issue that is vital from the perspective of well-being and transport in Finland.
“If a success, this project will result in better services at lower costs for the public and the economy as well as new markets and business opportunities for companies. We are working towards a more profitable transport sector and reduced greenhouse emissions through comprehensive land use and traffic planning.”
Rethinking planning
“It would be important to use public sector resources in a more profitable and effective manner in the future,” says Senior Adviser Eeva Linkama from the Ministry of Traffic and Communications, who is the other coordinator in charge of the project.
Linkama says it is essential to find new solutions for securing the smooth running of travel and transport.
“There is substantial room for improvement in the efficiency of the current traffic system, provided we avail ourselves of a variety of different options. This requires new thought patterns and processes to generate innovation. The markets and end users have a great deal of innovative resources, as long as we know how to make use of it.
The Traffic Revolution starts from mind mapping
The Traffic Revolution development programme begins with a series of workshops, the outcome of which will be a mind map for future activities. The process is coordinated by Sitra’s Public Leadership and Management Programme. The workshops will gather together 25 traffic experts from various sectors of society. The process will be chaired by Eeva Linkama from the Ministry of Transport and Communications and Juha Kostiainen from Sitra’s Public Leadership and Management Programme. The mind map will be published on 27 April 2011.
From road maintenance to service concepts
The Traffic Revolution development programme will involve the following four mutually supportive, parallel development modules: In the early part of 2011, the Finnish Transport Agency together with its partners will launch pilot projects that demonstrate new ways of thinking in practice. New competencies and new markets are created through company-based research programmes that the strategic centres in construction and real estate as well as information communication technology, RYM Oy and Tivit Oy, are in the process of planning.
The Ministry of Transport and Communications will utilise and develop the outcomes in the drafting of new transport policies and launch necessary practical development measures together with other ministries.
Further information
Juha Kostiainen, Director, Public Leadership and Management Programme, Sitra, juha.kostiainen@sitra.fi, Mobile +358 400 721 475
Eeva Linkama, Senior Adviser, Ministry of Transport and Communications, eeva.linkama@mintc.fi, Tel. +358 9 160 28476, mobile +358 40 547 3565
