Semcon increases transport efficiency on winter roads
Dynamic information about gravel roads’ bearing capacity during the spring thaw can significantly improve transport efficiency for the forestry industry. BiFi (Bärighetsinformation genom fordonsintelligens or Capacity information through vehicle intelligence) is the result of a research project between Klimator, Semcon, Trafikverket (the Swedish Transport Administration) and Värmlandsåkarna (the Värmland Association of Road Transport Companies). All parts of the system are now being rigorously tested in a demonstration experiment.
Every year the spring thaw causes major problems for the forestry industry’s transport. Many smaller gravel roads have capacity restrictions during the spring thaw period. With better information, the length of capacity restrictions can be reduced. Therefore there is a huge need to estimate the gravel roads’ bearing capacity in real time.
“It's exciting that Trafikverket is now proceeding with a successful research result and carrying out a rigorous demonstration project,” says Anders S Johansson, project manager for BiFi at Semcon.
“Integrating data from vehicles and existing road weather data allows a reduction in the time of load constraints. This means transport efficiency is increased and less environmental impact,” says Per Wenner, Director of Accessibility issues at Trafikverket.
Trafikverket is carrying out a demonstration experiment in two operating areas in Tiveden (in the Örebro area) to evaluate if the BiFi information system can lead to a more efficient use of the road network for heavy traffic, by showing in real-time the gravel roads that are usable for heavy traffic during the spring thaw period.
Anders Atterling, IR & PR manager, Semcon AB, 0704 472 819
Anders S Johansson, Project manager, BiFi, Semcon, 031-761 13 91
Semcon is a global company active in the areas of engineering services and product information. The Group has nearly 3,000 employees with extensive experience from many different industries. We develop technologies, products, plants and information solutions along the entire development chain and also provide many services including quality control, training and methodology development. Semcon boosts customers’ sales and competitive strength by providing them with innovative solutions, design and solid engineering solutions. The Group has sales of SEK 2.5 billion and activities at more than 45 sites in Sweden, Germany, the UK, Brazil, Hungary, India, China, Spain and Russia
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