Current RDI funding poorly identifies infrastructure needs, even though infrastructure research could save tax funds and strengthen Finland's competitiveness and overall security.
"Billions of euros in tax funds are spent annually on the construction and maintenance of infrastructure. Every percent of efficiency means huge savings for society," says INFRA ry's leading expert Nina Raitanen says.
INFRA wants an infrastructure RDI program in Finland that would focus on increasing the efficiency of the construction and maintenance of road infrastructure, for example through material innovations.
At the same time, INFRA would develop the entire national RDI system so that infrastructure research projects would be better able to access public funding. Currently, national funding is mainly allocated to projects with potential for export and expansion into new markets.
"Research results in the infrastructure sector may also have international demand, but the main goal is still different. Development work can save hundreds of millions of tax euros domestically, reduce emissions and improve the operational security of society here."
The RDI deficit in the infrastructure sector has worsened in the 2020s
The need for research and development has become more important in the 2020s, as infrastructure has begun to face new threats and demands. Heavier vehicles and defense needs require a structural upgrade of the road network inherited from the 1960s. Extreme weather events and state and EU emission and nature targets also increase the need for development.
"There are pressures, but public funding remains scarce. In order to do more with the same money, completely new materials and operating methods are needed to build and maintain infrastructure more efficiently and in a more environmentally sustainable way," Nina Raitanen explains.
During this government term, state RDI funding has increased, but it has not been targeted at road or other infrastructure networks, even though they are a significant public asset for Finland.
"The value of state transport networks alone is around 55 billion euros, and they are subject to a repair debt of 4,2 billion euros. Yet only around a tenth of RDI funding for construction is public, and even less for infrastructure. Development aimed at preserving the value of public assets should be mainly publicly funded."
Highway Infrastructure Research Program
- duration of the next term of office 2027–2031, after which a decision on the continuation will be made
- total funding in the first period 6 million euros
- in addition, the funding criteria of the Academy of Finland and Business Finland will be reformed so that infrastructure research will be better covered by funding than before.
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