Digital Platform to Predict Road Accessibility in a Changing Climate

Gravel roads in northern Sweden are facing increasing strain as the climate changes. To address these challenges, a digital platform is being developed to monitor and predict road accessibility in real time. Luleå University of Technology is one of the project partners in the research initiative Northern Traffic Lights, which could lead to more cost-effective road maintenance, improved transport, and increased accessibility in rural areas.

In northern Europe, gravel roads are a crucial part of the infrastructure, especially for the forestry industry and other rural businesses. However, today’s road maintenance is often based on local, scattered knowledge, making it difficult to plan transport and repairs efficiently. This is set to change through the Northern Traffic Lights research project, where researchers from Sweden and Finland are working together to develop a digital system that provides real-time information about road conditions.

"Climate change is already affecting our gravel roads, with more frequent and prolonged periods of thawing and heavy rainfall making them impassable. By combining sensor data, vehicle technology, and open data sources, we can create a solution that helps both businesses and individuals plan their journeys and transport more effectively," says Nina Lintzén, Senior Lecturer in Experimental Mechanics at Luleå University of Technology.

The project, funded by the EU’s Regional Development Fund, focuses on developing a map-based digital platform. The platform will not only display current road conditions but also predict future problem areas based on weather data and road wear. This way, road maintenance can be planned more efficiently, reducing repair costs.

Nina Lintzén, Senior Lecturer in Experimental Mechanics at Luleå University of Technology.

"Today, many transports rely on information that can be uncertain and difficult to access. With a digital solution, we can improve both transport economics and traffic safety while conserving limited resources such as gravel and road maintenance materials," says Nina Lintzén.

The researchers hope the platform will benefit a wide range of users—from forestry and agricultural businesses to the tourism industry and public authorities. Additionally, a long-term strategy is being developed to ensure the system continues to evolve and be used even after the project ends.

"Our vision is to create a sustainable and reliable solution that contributes to more resilient infrastructure across the Nordic region. By collaborating across national borders, we can develop a model that could eventually be used in even more regions," says Nina Lintzén.

The project runs from April 2025 to March 2028 and is carried out in collaboration with research institutes and universities in Sweden and Finland.

• Experimental mechanics