Sustainable drivers - development of a driver support tool for electrified timber transports
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Stift Skogsbrukets Forskningsinstitut Skogfor - Skogforsk - Stiftelsen skogsbrukets forskningsinstitut |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 500 000 |
| Project duration | August 2023 - April 2024 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | Transport and mobility services - FFI |
| Call | Transport and mobility services - FFI - spring 2023 |
| End-of-project report | 2023-00773sv.pdf(pdf, 1892 kB) (In Swedish) |
Important results from the project
The aim of the project was to investigate the need for and the conditions for a driver support for drivers of timber transport and to develop a basis for how such a driver support could be designed. The objective of the project was to 1) carry out a system analysis of the driver´s role in the forest transport system, 2) map how information affects the drivers´ decisions and how it is used, 3) identify deficiencies in today´s information flows and additional needs for electrification, and 4) develop a conceptual outline for a driver support. All objectives were met.
Expected long term effects
The study points out that today´s drivers and transport managers lack functionality and information that are important for their work. These shortcomings are compensated by frequent telephone contacts with colleagues and partners to create a current picture, which likely affects the efficiency of the transport system while creating stress. The fact that drivers and transport managers would have access to an adapted driver support that allows the sharing of information is considered to have potential to increase acceptance for a more centralized planning of the transport work.
Approach and implementation
Mapping of working methods and information flows was done through 16 semi-structured interviews. Mainly timber truck drivers were interviewed, but also some transport managers and senior managers. As a complement to the interviews, observations were carried out for half to a day with 11 drivers and a transport manager. Based on the mapping, a prototype for driver support was created which was evaluated through user tests in two different workshops. Drivers of both conventional timber vehicles and electric vehicles participated. Participating companies formed the reference group.