Partner: "We are happy that VTI is in Linköping"

Linköping Municipality, Östgötatrafiken and Linköping University - these are three of VTI's most important partners. This is what they have to say about the collaboration on the occasion of VTI's 50th anniversary in Linköping.

Ingela Lindahl, head of unit, Linköping University

How is Linköping University collaborating with VTI?

“LiU and VTI have a long-standing and strategically important collaboration in transport research, urban planning and mobility (since the organisations were established in Linköping, but as a formal strategic collaboration agreement since 2014). Collaboration takes place, among other things, through joint research projects, joint publications and shared research infrastructure. Within the framework of the strategic collaboration agreement, we develop and decide each year on a joint action plan for educational cooperation, research development, communication efforts etc., which forms the basis for the work during the year.”

What does this collaboration mean?

“It gives us the opportunity for a strong connection between applied research and academic excellence. Together we can tackle important societal challenges – for example about road safety, sustainable transportation, social justice, energy systems and preparedness. Through common research areas, we can influence policy and practice.”

Do you have any examples of successful projects?

“One successful collaboration between LiU and VTI has been on the introduction of variable speed limits. This has been conducted as a PhD project, subsequent simulation projects and implementation projects, including field trials around Södertälje. This collaboration has also included people with shared employment between the organisations.”

Is there anything you are currently planning or would like to do in the future?

“Yes, we have several planned areas of development, including transport economics and transport and health, the latter in collaboration with LiU's Faculty of Medicine. We are also investigating how LiU and VTI can utilise LiU's mainframe resources in joint transport research."

"We also want to work together even more on education, for example through shared doctoral positions, degree theses, joint project courses and affiliation. Internationally, LiU and VTI also want to work on more joint applications to EU programmes.”

Mattias Näsström, deputy traffic manager, Östgötatrafiken

How is Östgötatrafiken collaborating with VTI?

“We are working together on a number of different kinds of research projects. One example of this are the autonomous buses in the project Ride the Future, RTF.”

What does this collaboration mean?

“We gain knowledge and lessons learned that we can use when developing general and special public transport.”

Do you have any examples of successful projects?

“As well as the RTF project, which we have been involved in since 2017, the digital escort project has been successful. This function will soon be put out to tender and then installed and offered as a service."

"We can also mention our latest marketing campaign, the Plus Account, which is based on the work of VTI researcher Sonja Forward.”

Is there anything you are currently planning or would like to do in the future?

“We look forward to continuing with the RTF project and we are always open to participating in studies, reference groups etc.

"We believe that the local connection is valuable and we are pleased that VTI is located in Östergötland and in Linköping.”

Anna Wallroth, group manager infrastructure, Linköping municipality

How is Linköping Municipality collaborating with VTI?

“We have collaborated with VTI in many different areas, such as accessibility measures in public places, the Disturbance-Free City 2.0 project, silent asphalt to reduce traffic noise and research projects such as Ride the Future.”

What does this collaboration mean?

“Our collaboration leads to increased knowledge and understanding of the effects of different measures, the behaviour of road users and future challenges. Collaboration on the Disturbance-Free City 2.0 project helps to support urban development by developing a tool that links urban and transport planning in the city with building and logistics planning in construction projects.”

Do you have any examples of successful projects?

“Ride the Future (RTF) is a successful project in Linköping in which eight partners (Linköping Municipality, Östgötatrafiken, VTI, LiU, RISE, Akademiska Hus, Linköping Science Park and Transdev Sverige AB) have been testing automated and electrified vehicles since 2019. Originally, the vehicles operated without a timetable, but following user feedback (children, the elderly, commuters, workers and residents), the project has transitioned to on-demand traffic with more stops and a larger area since September 2024. The project focuses on collaboration and exploring the future of transport, which has led to the development of vehicles and services with good acceptance among travellers. The project has acted as a research platform for over 30 research projects."

"As a municipality, we are particularly interested in how these vehicles function as a complement to public transport, how they contribute to making the city more accessible to more people, how they interact with other vehicles and road users and what infrastructural needs and issues may arise.”

Is there anything you are currently planning or would like to do in the future?

“We are planning for continued expansion of the Ride the Future project. We also see a need for collaboration on a disturbance-free city and the challenges and opportunities we see in the East Link and the urban development it entails.”