Government issues a resolution on promoting transport automation

On 25 November 2021, the Government adopted a resolution on promoting automation in the transport sector. It is Finland's aim to be one of the pioneers of transport automation, and with the resolution the Government wishes to guide the automation development to meet people's needs in a sustainable and safe manner.

The resolution contains a vision for the development of transport automation, policies derived from it and the key measures. It applies to all modes of transport. The resolution is based on a plan for legislation and key measures in transport automation that has been prepared at the Ministry of Transport and Communications.

Minister of Transport and Communications Timo Harakka considers transport automation an important means of facilitating the movement of people and goods and promoting safe, efficient and low-emission transport.

According to him, we are no longer visioning for the future but creating practical preconditions for the introduction of automation.

"Automation is already progressing in all modes of transport, but there is still some way to go before achieving full automation in transport. By being at the forefront of development, we are defining the direction of automation. More extensive autonomous transport will require cooperation and changes to both national and international legislation," says Minister of Transport and Communications Timo Harakka.

Comprehensive approach at the heart of the resolution

The policies laid down in the resolution that apply to all modes of transport are human-centred development and utilisation of automation, more efficient exchange of information and comprehensive development of regulation.

The policis are to be implemented through seven sets of measures:

1) development of regulation

2) development of physical infrastructure

3) development of digital infrastructure

4) utilisation of data

5) increase in experimentation and testing

6) competence development

7) impact assessment.

There are still many uncertainties associated with the development of automation, which is why experiments and testing play a key role. Better utilisation of information and data is emphasised, as transport automation is based on the use of data and artificial intelligence systems. In legislation, the ethical development and utilisation of automation should be ensured.

Development of transport automation is based on the Government Programme

Promotion of automation in the transport sector is based on the Programme of Prime Minister Sanna Marin's Government. It aims to make Finland known as a technological pioneer, where regulatory environment and administration are favourable for digitalisation and sustainable development as well as for an extensive experimental culture. It is essential that the goals are achieved ethically correctly, taking human needs and equality into account.

What's next?

The resolution will be presented at a discussion event on maritime automation on 2 December 2021 at 10.30. It will be an online event and streamed as a webcast.

The Ministry of Transport and Communications intends to publish the plan for legislation and key measures in transport automation as soon as possible after the resolution has been adopted.

The implementation of the measures is to be initiated immediately.

Inquiries:

Kirsi Miettinen, Senior Ministerial Adviser, Legislative Affairs, tel. +358 40 071 9629, [email protected], Twitter: @KMiettinen (transport automation and road transport)

Saara Reinimäki, Director of Unit, tel. +358 50 303 3065, [email protected], Twitter: @saarare

Janne Hauta, Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 50 300 6990, [email protected] (rail transport automation)

Anne Miettinen, Senior Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 50 300 6990, [email protected], Twitter: @AnneMiettinen1 (maritime automation)

Sonja Töyrylä, Senior Officer, tel. +358 50 438 4729, [email protected] (automation in aviation)