Road Traffic

While driving, the driver must be able to focus on several things at the same time. On the one hand, it is important to pay attention to the traffic rules that apply, and on the other hand, a multitude of decisions must be made. In order to find out how the human mind processes and acts on information from the environment, VTI conducts research in the area of ​​workload.

The decision-making process in traffic is a constant stream of both complex and simple decisions. There are many potential sources of cognitive workload in traffic. Not knowing the roads contributes to a high workload because the driver must actively search for relevant information in the form of signs and landmarks, among other things. Inexperience also contributes to an increased workload because the driving task itself requires a high level of mental effort.

Cognitive workload can be seen as a double-edged sword. In order to achieve an optimal level of performance, the level of workload should be neither too high nor too low. If the level of workload is too low, the driver's performance will suffer.

Contact: Anna Anund

The number of registered A-tractors and mopeds has increased significantly in recent years and the number of personal injury accidents remains high. VTI is conducting several studies on A-tractors and mopeds regarding both safety and training.

A-tractors and mopeds are vehicles that in Sweden are mainly used by young people from the age of 15. To drive these vehicles, an AM driving license is required and the vehicles must be equipped with an LGF plate (slow-moving vehicle plate) at the rear.

AM training is provided by a qualified trainer and is at least twelve hours long. The theoretical part is eight hours. Practical driving training is provided with a two-wheeled moped for at least four hours. Knowledge tests are conducted at the Swedish Transport Administration.

An EPA tractor is a converted car that could be registered until 1 April 1975. After that, this type of vehicle is registered as an A-tractor. Changes in the Traffic Ordinance (1998:1276) on August 31, 2023 mean that the design and maximum speed of the A-tractor is 30 km/h. Both the driver and passenger in an A-tractor must use a seat belt and passengers must travel in a seat intended for passengers and only one passenger may sit per such seat.

In Sweden, the moped is most often registered as a class I moped. It may weigh a maximum of 425 kg in running order. The moped is designed for a maximum speed of 45 km/h. One (1) passenger may be taken in a designated and registered seat and a seat belt must be used unless the driver and passenger are wearing a protective helmet.

Accidents with personal injuries are high

The number of registered A-tractors has increased sharply since 2020, while the number of mopeds has leveled off during the same period. In line with the increase in vehicles, the number of personal injury accidents has increased, but has stabilized at the high level in the last three years.

Watch our videos on crash tests with low-speed vehicles

Contacts: Helena Selander and Susanne Wallhagen

In VTI's blue light simulator, emergency vehicle drivers can practice risky situations during emergency driving under safe and controlled conditions. It can also be used to prepare new drivers for risk-aware and planned driving in good interaction with other road users.

The risk of accidents in connection with emergency driving is high and training in emergency driving on the road is not permitted. One advantage of simulators is that you can practice many times on events that rarely occur in reality. Another is that you can cost-effectively and risk-free practice on things that are inappropriate, dangerous or even illegal in real traffic.

Simulator-based training can be an effective way to practice in different situations and in different environments. If you want to test emergency driving, there are several different ones on the market. We do not offer simulator training but can provide an independent picture of what the market has to offer.

Research

We use the blue light simulator for research purposes. For example, under very controlled conditions, we study human behavior in a complex and stressful environment. We are also conducting research to develop the simulator into a good training tool for emergency response organizations.

The simulator has been developed in collaboration with the police, rescue services and ambulance services.

The SPEED development forum

SPEED stands for Swedish Project for Efficient Emergency Driving and is a development forum aimed at the police, rescue services, ambulances but also at other organizations and stakeholders. VTI coordinates the forum.

The aim is to collaborate with emergency response organizations to develop emergency driving but also surrounding activities such as on-the-go care. The needs and wishes of the users determine what we will develop.

We also welcome other researchers and representatives of the industry that develop and provide simulators for training to participate in the forum.

Would you like to know more about the development forum or be part of the development of simulator training?

Welcome to contact Björn Lidestam

At VTI, we conduct extensive research on public transport. The research often aims to deepen our understanding of public transport as an important part of creating and maintaining sustainable accessibility in cities and rural areas.

In practice, this involves developing knowledge about a number of different types of issues, such as passengers' norms, values ​​and needs and what drives people's choice of transport. We also conduct research on the organizational and institutional conditions for developing public transport in local, regional and national planning contexts. This includes, for example, research on power and collaboration, as well as questions about how different interests and perspectives are integrated into planning and decision-making.

We also conduct research on the application and development of planning tools and traffic control models. Specifically, this can include, for example, optimization models for efficient resource utilization, dynamic modeling/simulation of traffic to study the accessibility effects of changes in the road traffic system, and models for calculating environmental effects.

Another area of ​​research concerns economic relationships of importance for the development of public transport. This includes, for example, organizational and financing issues, procurement, or the effects of different types of regulation (contracts and agreements) in public transport. The research also concerns pricing, subsidies and economic instruments. One area of ​​knowledge under development concerns the role of public transport in an increasingly digitalized transport system.

Contact: Karolina Isaksson