Upgrading our current system is the fastest way to improve capacity

According to Trafikverket – the Swedish Transport Administration, one must not overestimate the possibilities of improving the Swedish transport system through expansion. Expansions alone will not solve the capacity deficiencies that were identified in a recent study. The greatest and fastest improvements can be found in our existing system, which needs to be used in a more efficient and sustainable way. In order to handle future increases in traffic, our current roads, railways, shipping and aviation modes need to reach their full potential. A robust transport system would form the basis of sound investments in the long-term.

In March 2011, Trafikverket was tasked by the government with analysing the need for capacity increases in the Swedish railway system for the period 2012-2021, and to put forward suggestions for future action. In addition, the assignment involved analysing future trans – portation needs up to 2050.

The assignment was expanded in September 2011 to include all modes of transport. This meant that Trafikverket had to also analyse how to increase the efficiency and capacity of Sweden’s roads, shipping and aviation. In April 2012, Trafikverket presented its findings to the Minister for Infrastructure, Catharina Elmsäter-Svärd.

In the coming decades, the Swedish transport system will face a substantial increase in traffic, according to all prognoses. Sweden’s primary and manufacturing industries, as well as the tourism industry, must be able to continue to grow. Everyone has to be able to visit their friends and families, to go on holiday, and to travel to and from their workplace or school in a smooth, environmentally-friendly and safe way.

Trafikverket can conclude that there are deficiencies in the transport system, but also untapped potential. The greatest deficiencies are found in the railway system. Furthermore, there are shortcomings in the road system, mainly in metropolitan areas, but also problems relating to low bearing capacity around the country.

Effective maintenance is the basis of a robust and sustainable transport system. Therefore, maintenance-related measures are given the highest priority, as it involves already existing assets. The government has set aside an additional SEK 5 billion for 2012 and 2013, the majority of which will be used for operation and maintenance. The Swedish Transport Administration proposes that the current financing for the period between 2012 and 2021 should be increased by more than SEK 4 billion per year for maintenance, reinvestments and trimming measures. For the period 2022-2025, Trafikverket proposes an increase by SEK 600 million, which would bring the total cost to SEK 21.8 billion per year.

Deficiencies relating to capacity cannot be solved by expansions alone. That would not be financially sustainable, nor would it solve the capacity-related problems. In addition, there is potential in other modes of transport, as well as great opportunities to make the existing trans – port system more efficient. Better prerequisites for transfers between different modes of transport are needed in order to make use of spare capacity.

With regard to freight, it is possible to use longer and heavier vehicles on the roads as well as on the railway network. When it comes to passenger traffic in the metropolitan areas, train and bus connections are less expensive and make it possible for more people to use public transport. Reversible lanes instead of simply adding more, smarter city logistics and using bus lanes for distribution traffic are other possible solutions.

The four step principle is an important tool in the work to maximise the capacity of the transport system:

• Rethink: Influence the need for transports and the chosen mode of transport
• Redirect: Achieve more efficient use of infrastructure and vehicles
• Rebuild: Limited amount of rebuilding
• Expand: When all other options are exhausted, we expand.

Instruments of control are examples of the first two steps, ‘Rethink’ and ‘Redirect’. Railway fees which optimise the use of the railway system, and municipal parking policies that encourage more people to use public transport, or to travel by bike or foot, are some examples of how potentials can be used more effectively. In order to have the intended effect, we must also promote equal level playing fields between the different modes of transport. We need more knowledge and information about the various effects of these instruments of control. However, Trafikverket does not have all instruments of control at its disposal.

The report gives a number of examples of instruments of control, including:

• Expanded congestion tax
• Discounted railway fees when demand is low
• Reduced number of parking spaces combined with higher parking fees
• Permitting longer and heavier lorries and trains
• Increased funding for public transport, footpaths and bike paths.

Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) are applications aimed at creating new services. They are instruments of control in the form of information and communication services. With the help of ITS, people are able to choose the best mode of transport. In addition, ITS can contribute to increased accessibility and comfort, improved traffic safety and reduced impact on the environment.

In the report submitted to the government, Trafikverket highlights the greatest deficiencies and suggests overall solutions that cover a number of different measures, in accordance with the four step principle. We should focus on the areas where measures can have the greatest effect. The overall solutions regard:

• Industry freight needs
• Congestion in metropolitan areas – Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö
• Passenger traffic, heavily congested roads and railways
• Measures that contribute to reaching environmental goals.

In Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö, the greatest potential for increasing capacity and reducing congestion can be found in public transport, footpaths and bike paths, which also contribute to the local environmental goals.

When it comes to freight, there is a selected network of strategic roads, railways, harbours, airports and container terminals. For passenger traffic, we have highlighted specific transport routes for regional as well as long-distance travel. The development towards larger labour market regions has increased our need for travel options. Efficient trimming measures for the transport infrastructure in larger, densely built-up areas, and sustainable transport routes can help us develop local and regional public transport. Measures targeting the needs of the tourism industry mainly concern minor investments in individual roads – crossings and passages in particular – better operation and maintenance during peak season, control/guidance opportunities, and accurate information.

The investigation aimed for an open dialogue and has involved several national and regional hearings, as well as approximately 400 comments from interested parties. These have served as our points of reference. Together with other actors, Trafikverket will be able to develop a more efficient and sustainable system. We will add new infrastructure to make sure the system functions as intended, but only when there is a clear need for development.

A well-functioning transport system is a prerequisite for societal development. The transport system must be functional, robust and sustainable in order for it to develop. Therefore, measures relating to operation, maintenance, reinvestments and trimming are given a high priority, as are instruments of control urban and regional planning.

About the author

Gunnar Malm has been Director- General of Trafikverket since it started in 2010. He was previously appointed by the Swedish government to review and organise the setting up of Trafikverket dissolving other existing transport administrations under the auspices of the Swedish state. Gunnar has held a number of senior management positions within the transport sector such as CEO for the logistics and shipping company, ASG AB, and Vice Director General for the SJ AB, the largest train operating company in Sweden at that time. Furthermore, Gunnar has been appointed by the Swedish government to Chair the government’s review regarding high-speed lines in Sweden; he performed that in parallel to his position as CEO for the highspeed rail link Stockholm–Arlanda Airport. His positions have led him to be involved in a number of international appointments including EU high-level groups. Gunnar is currently Vice President for the European Rail Infrastructure Managers (EIM) and is a Member of the European Management Committee for the UIC.