Collaboration key to Sweden's future road infrastructure

Oscar Lundberg

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A Positive First Impression

“På Väg” brings together various stakeholders from the road sector, and Roberto describes his first impression of the fair with enthusiasm.

– I have a very good impression of the fair, there is great interest and a positive atmosphere. Above all, I see a genuine interest in the development that lies ahead of us, which I find very gratifying.

Being present at the fair provides an opportunity to learn about the latest technological developments in road safety, road maintenance, and road infrastructure, and to see what solutions are being presented, something he looks forward to.

– I look forward to learning about the various innovations and solutions that are here. It’s important for us to be present in contexts where we can have a dialogue with industry associations and contractors. That’s how we can find new ways forward together, says Roberto.

Collaboration – The Key to Better Infrastructure

“På Väg” serves as a meeting place for the industry, and Roberto emphasizes the importance of collaboration between authorities and contractors to create a more sustainable and efficient infrastructure.

– For the Swedish Transport Administration, it’s important to be visible in these contexts. As I mentioned in my opening address, we are very interested in having an open dialogue. As a government agency, we should be visible, we should be here to engage in dialogue and to receive both views and opinions in a good way. Through this ambition, we can develop good cooperation and create the necessary collaboration to drive development forward. The Minister for Infrastructure has also clearly identified this as a priority area, and the conditions for faster development are good.

Gathering the entire industry under one roof makes it possible to streamline dialogue, and Roberto sees great potential in using the fair as a gathering point for important discussions.

– I can imagine that now that we know this is a recurring gathering, “På Väg” could become a natural place for more important meetings. The fair could help us gather and streamline the dialogue between industry stakeholders.

Traffic Safety in Focus for Sweden

Another important issue for the Swedish Transport Administration is how technological development can be used to increase traffic safety and make road infrastructure work more efficient. Roberto sees Sweden as an established player in traffic safety issues and internationally as a good example in this area.

– Sweden is a strong player in traffic safety. The Infrastructure Minister and I were recently at a ministerial conference in Marrakech on Road Safety, and we see that we have a lot to contribute. This is an area that could play an even bigger role at fairs like this. It’s about highlighting everything from how we design safe roads and equipment to how we get road users to respect those working on the roads.

He also sees an opportunity to broaden the role of road infrastructure in social development, not least by involving more stakeholders in the discussions.

– Our transport buyers become an important part of the ecosystem around road infrastructure, and actors working with heavy vehicles then also become a target group for the fair. By including more stakeholders, we can create a more holistic picture of how best to develop our roads for the future.

The Future of Road Infrastructure

In summary, Roberto hopes that visitors and exhibitors at the fair will take away new insights, knowledge, and contacts to continue the development of road infrastructure.

– My hope is that everyone who has been here leaves with new information, new perspectives, and new collaborations. We have different roles in this system, and it is through collaboration that we can create the best development going forward. Through continued dialogue and cooperation between authorities, contractors, and industry associations, Sweden’s roads can become both safer and more efficient for the future.