Automobiles, smart technology and transport

- Two mega-trends will revolutionise motoring in the next few decades. They are smart technology and power sources used by cars. A third revolutionary power is a social one: sharing economy and joint use will become more common, Permanent Secretary Harri Pursiainen writes in Savon Sanomat.

A car's technology has taken over tasks the driver has previously been responsible for and long-term development towards robot cars has begun. Motoring can potentially become nearly carbon neutral in just a few decades with the use of electricity, gas and other new power sources.

- There will also be a change in the way people behave. Enthusiasm for shared use of materials is growing worldwide. In the spirit of a sharing economy, ownership of consumer goods will be of declining importance especially within the younger generation, Mr Pursiainen predicts.

People and goods are not always in the place where they are needed. Transport policy will see to it that a solution for this is just around the corner.

- Fairways or one's own vehicle are no longer of key importance. These have been replaced by services that meet the customers' needs. With regard to production of these services, the fairway or car is a mere tool. Little by little, the world will begin to understand that transport is a service. Finland has strongly highlighted this issue worldwide, and this is one of the reasons we have been appointed the task of organising a large international event in the field of smart transport. Next week, the ITS European Congress 2014 will begin in Helsinki; this year's theme is Mobility as a Service.