In Finland, it is customary to measure the importance of road traffic routes mainly in the form of vehicle numbers and tons. The new report brings a new metric into consideration: different road sections should also be evaluated based on how much value (euros) is transported through them. New information is now available about the routes used by key industries in different parts of the country.
Investments in road transport routes – both maintenance and new road projects – are far-reaching national economic choices. When determining the needs of business life, the decision-makers have typically used two types of criteria: they have looked at how many trucks travel on different road sections and how heavy cargo they transport.
The contribution-benefit analysis of road investments has been missing a key financial perspective: how much value (in euros) is transported on individual road sections in different parts of Finland. This information has now been produced in a survey project commissioned by the Food Industry, Chemical Industry, Technology Industry, INFRA ry, Forest Industry, MTK, the Central Chamber of Commerce and the Finnish Transport Agency. The survey was carried out by WSP Finland Oy.
Regional information from the perspective of several industries
The recent report contains illustrative maps of how the euro-denominated values of transport are placed on different sections of road in Finland. The technology industry, the chemical industry, the food industry, the trade sector, the forest industry, agriculture, and the construction industry are under review.
The map material shows how different industries need each other in road infrastructure. Transports of agricultural production must be made to move for further processing to the food industry and further as trade transports to consumers.
Transports are concentrated according to the location of the industries. For example, the heavy transports of the chemical industry move between the west and the east in southern Finland. The high-value transports of the chemical industry, on the other hand, are concentrated on the quadrilateral from south to north.
The construction industry makes versatile use of the road network. Since construction is concentrated in urban areas, the importance of agglomerations in transportation is great. The lower road network is also highlighted, as soil transport is very local in nature.
Main roads are very important in almost all industries. The overall picture of the value and tons of road transport in Finland elevates the quadrilateral to a very important position.
New requirements for the road network
The value analysis helps to understand which road sections are particularly critical from the point of view of the different parts of the supply chain. The economic effects of disruptions differ depending on whether the cargo is raw material or finished products. This brings essential additional information to the decision-makers when they evaluate the geographical targeting of development activities and investments in traffic routes.
Traditional ton and vehicle meters emphasize the basic physical structures of the road. In the value-based review, the smoothness, undisturbedness and predictability of traffic routes are emphasized in particular; it is not enough that the bridges can withstand the weight of the trucks, but the products must move precisely all the way to the export port or retail.
At the same time, the needs of highway users are growing: companies place more emphasis on up-to-date traffic information and anticipation of disruptions than before. The utilization of the digitization of traffic and bus data is thus emphasized even more.
The value criterion does not supersede the weight or vehicle volume inspection. On the contrary, they should be used in parallel, so that the needs of all industries and the different parts of the supply chain are covered. In the future, more overtaking lanes, smooth junctions, consistent speed levels and good access to terminals and ports are also needed.
Check out the report >
See also the previous Transport infrastructure as an enabler of the future report >
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Tiina Haapasalo, leading expert, Finnish Confederation of Business and Industry EK
tel. 040 7631482, e-mail extension ek.fi