Research and development at Traficom | Traficom
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Transport and Communications Agency

Research and development at Traficom

The objective of Traficom's research and development activities is to support Traficom and its experts in the performance of the agency's tasks and the achievement of the goals set for its operations. The aim is to improve the safety of the transport system, reduce the negative environmental impacts of transport and develop communications services and technologies.

In addition to scientific research, Traficom's R&D activities include various studies, reports and development projects, reports needed for statute drafting and impact assessments of legislative amendments that support the activities and objectives of the agency and, more broadly, the policies of the administrative sector. R&D activities also provides support for ensuring that Finland's special features and societal needs are taken into account in international influencing.

Traficom carries out its research and development work in extensive cooperation with the whole administrative sector and other actors. The purpose of R&D activities is to maintain and develop the Finnish competence in the fields of traffic safety, environment, transport system and communications technology. The agency is also involved in various international research projects.

Only the practical use of research results renders R&D activities rational and productive. Sharing the research data for the use of experts and partners and disseminating new information to citizens is an essential part of Traficom's R&D activities.

The themes of Traficom's research and development activities

Traficom tries to exert influence to reduce the environmental burden of traffic. Research activities support the environmental development related to various modes of transport, relating to such issues as air quality, climate change, energy efficiency and alternative fuels. As regards the maritime sector, the emphasis of research is on the environmental issues of the Baltic Sea, such as the prevention of the eutrophication of water areas, air protection, ballast water and transport of harmful substances. Research is also used for supporting citizens' awareness of the environmental impacts of transport, and research data is used as a means to influence the volumes of mobility and transport and the choice of modes of transport.

Improving safety in all modes of transport is one of the core tasks of Traficom and one of the priorities of its R&D activities as well. The research themes focus equally on means of transport and people as well as the entire operating environment and the interaction between them. Traficom also aims to promote the safety culture of organisations involved in transport operations.

The purpose of Traficom's research and development activities is to support ICT solutions that promote the safety and energy efficiency of the transport system. Traficom actively participates in national and international intelligent transport research and development activities together with other authorities, companies and the research sector.

One of the objectives of Traficom's R&D activities is to maintain an overall picture of the transport system and, thus, to collect information on mobility and transport in different modes of transport, the transport and communications markets, the operating environment and the actors involved. Research activities also support the reliability of the transport system, for example, by developing situational awareness methods and assessing the impacts of disruptions.

Traficom's research activities include various studies and reports related to communications services and technologies, such as the use and quality studies of audiovisual services and telecommunications and postal services, advertising time surveys and studies on the European content of television programmes.

The extensive field of operations of Traficom and the new task entities assigned to the agency often require conducting research and studies in their support. Research and development activities also support Traficom's supervisory duties as well as the drafting of provisions and regulations on transport and communications and, in particular, the monitoring of their impacts.

One objective is to improve the utilisation of Traficom's data materials and statistics in research activities. Research activities also support the development of the competence of the agency staff and the improvement of the quality of processes and services. Traficom also develops competence in the transport and communications sector by supporting drafting of theses related to the agency's field of operations.

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