Sweden’s Infrastructure Minister Åsa Torstensson visited Frihamnspiren in Göteborg on Tuesday, where Volvo Group presented the latest technology in the areas of intelligent transport systems (ITS) and environmentally-friendly road transports.
“As a developer, Volvo is able to remain at the cutting-edge of intelligent technology, which is of paramount importance. It is also important to be able to refer to Volvo when discussing traffic safety and technological solutions,” says Åsa Torstensson.
The visit was part of the EU Future Road Transport – Safe and Clean summit which is being held on October 26-27 in Göteborg. The demonstrations at Frihamnspiren were largely based on technology that the Volvo Group recently presented at the major ITS international transport trade fair in Stockholm.
“This technology exists and it is vital to work together with politicians to create governance systems and rules for enhanced traffic safety and to enhance the efficiency of the flow of goods, while considering the environment. This is highly significant since Sweden has an advanced automotive industry in addition to having a major export industry. EU partnerships and various transport solutions are an ongoing process and we have not yet crossed the finish line. However, as a result of its EU Chairmanship, Sweden has a considerable opportunity to advance these matters within the EU,” says Åsa Torstensson.
Volvo Technology demonstrated technology developed by the EU-financed CVIS and SafeSpot projects. The Cooperative Systems technology comprises applications based on the communication between vehicles and provides enhanced traffic safety, improved transport efficiency and reduced environmental impact from transport.
The Volvo Group also displayed a truck powered by the biofuel DME, which is a major step toward carbon-neutral transport and a safety truck that provides the driver with continuous information to improve safety and reduce fuel consumption. Also, a hybrid bus from Volvo was demonstrated that reduces fuel consumption and nitrogen oxide emissions by 35% and 50%, respectively.
“Similar to Renault Trucks and Mack, Volvo Trucks is far ahead in terms of advanced technology and has a strong presence in this area. The truck industry in the EU has a great deal in common and often works together toward the same goal in areas including the reduction of carbon emissions. It was interesting to see Volvo’s hybrid bus, which has major potential with its hybrid technology,” says Jean-Pierre Medevielle, Deputy General Director of INRETS, the French national institute for transport and safety research.
The Volvo Group is represented at the summit by Håkan Karlsson, President of Volvo Buses, and Jan-Eric Sundgren, member of Volvo’s Group management responsible for public and environmental affairs. The purpose of the summit is to make road transport safer and more environmentally friendly by increasing the use of new and existing technology. This will be achieved through such measures as improved partnerships between authorities, industry and research.
The presentations will be repeated on October 28 at Frihamnspiren, when decision-makers from western Sweden will be invited to a day on environmental and safety development in the automotive industry.
Read more about the technology presented by the Volvo Group at the ITS trade fair and Volvo’s role in the BioDME project.