Public defence in Spatial Planning and Transportation Engineering, M.Sc. (Tech.) Janne Olin

Title of the thesis: If we wish to hold on to the welfare of our country -  An exploration of discourses concerning transport automation in the Finnish transport governance culture

Thesis defender: 
Janne Olin
Opponents: 
Associate Professor Louise Reardon, University of Birmingham, UK
Principal Scientist Anu Tuominen, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland
Custos: Associate Professor Miloš Mladenović,Aalto University School of Engineering, Department of Built Environment

Few, if any, technological phenomena related to transport have received as much attention in public and academic discussions in the 21st century as transport automation. Proponents of automation believe that this phenomenon will make transport systems safer, more efficient, environmentally friendly and equitable. On the other hand, sceptics argue that automation technologies may simply deepen society’s dependence on private motoring and thereby exacerbate the well-known negative impacts. Based on current scientific knowledge, the only certainty is that the effects of transport automation will largely depend on the taken governance measures. But what does governance actually mean, and how can it be influenced? How can we ensure that the governance processes concerning the technological development of the transport system produce sustainable, equitable and societally desirable outcomes?

This dissertation examined Finnish transport governance and its culture through the lens of official and unofficial discourses that concern transport automation. The research illustrated a positive attitude among key actors in transport governance towards emerging mobility technologies. These actors believe that technological development will provide the tools to manage the negative impacts of the car-centric transport system and to produce economic growth. Consequently, they claim that Finnish transport governance should aim to enable the development, public testing and market entry of emerging mobility technologies through permissive regulation and financial support. However, this optimism does not appear to be entirely justified. The analysed discourses discuss transport automation rather superficially, echoing internationally circulated visions. Meanwhile, the discourses pay little attention to the uncertainties and potential negative effects associated with the phenomenon.

Based on three studies, this dissertation provides an overview of the elements of the transport governance culture that have influenced the development of transport automation in Finland. In addition, the dissertation identifies weaknesses in the governance culture and suggests ways to improve governance processes. Proposed areas of improvement include creating meaningful participatory practices, clarifying the roles and responsibilities of actors and identifying the various instruments that can be used to steer the technological development of the transport system at different levels of governance.

Keywords: transport automation, governance, policy, culture, discourse analysis

Thesis available for public display 10 days prior to the defence at Aaltodoc. 

Contact information: janne.olin@aalto.fi