Category Archives: Environment and Climate

Large amounts of microplastics from worn road markings

Posted on May 13, 2024 by nradmin
The wear and tear of road markings is an important source of microplastic emissions. The amounts are difficult to calculate but are estimated to be at the same level as emissions from other significant and already-known sources. This is shown in a new study from VTI. Ida Järlskog, researcher...

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Green light for new innovation programme

Posted on April 25, 2024 by nradmin
ShiftSweden one of five new innovation programmes that will form part of a ten-year Swedish initiative in the transition to a sustainable society. Vinnova, the Swedish Energy Agency and Formas announced decisions today as part of their Impact Innovation call, which involves a major investment in...

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Possible breakthrough for airless tyres in EU project

Posted on April 4, 2024 by nradmin
Reduced material use, noise levels and rolling resistance. Airless tyres could provide such benefits. A design breakthrough may be on the horizon within LEON-T, an EU research and development project that has 10 partners. VTI is participating through Research Leader Ulf Sandberg. He is responsible...

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HCT: Do longer trucks affect road safety?

Posted on March 7, 2024 by nradmin
Trials of longer, heavier vehicles have shown that they can help reduce climate impact by increasing transport efficiency. Fewer trucks carrying more cargo in a single consignment use less fuel per tonne of goods transported, which in turn results in lower emissions. Several ongoing projects...

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Iceland’s Highland Roads Facilitate Plant Invasions

Posted on March 6, 2024 by nradmin
A study on Icelandic highland roads found a surge in non-native plants due to human activity and climate change. This poses a threat to Iceland's fragile ecosystems, as invasive species, facilitated by roads and rising temperatures, jeopardize the biodiversity and scenic beauty of the...

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Proposed tax increases for electric cars will increase greenhouse gas emissions

Posted on October 30, 2023 by nradmin
Full toll rates and VAT for electric cars will reduce the profitability of owning electric cars and increase greenhouse gas emissions from passenger cars in Oslo up to 2030. Photo: Charging electric cars / Shutterstock This is the main conclusion in a new TØI report, commissioned by the...

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The role of public transport within social and planetary boundaries

Posted on October 17, 2023 by nradmin
The way of living today, not least how we travel, put our planet under an unsustainable pressure. The term “planetary boundaries” is developed within earth science, and in short, is a way of expressing how much the planet can tolerate. If we don’t adapt our lifestyle to fit these defined...

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Greener Lighthouses

Posted on September 7, 2023 by nradmin
The goal of the research was to look at more environmentally friendly energy backup power solutions for Iceland´s lighthouses. The practicality of fuel cell solutions was specifically examined, but this research also investigated wind turbine utilization. This research was funded by the Icelandic...

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The risk of road accidents increases as more and more roads become polished

Posted on February 21, 2023 by nradmin
In recent years, there have been a number of serious road accidents due to motorists skidding off the road. The reason is believed to be that the country's roads are becoming increasingly smooth. VTI has investigated the cause of the problem in a pilot study. New designs of studded tyres, a rise...

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Nordic cooperation for increased circularity of textiles

Posted on February 16, 2023 by nradmin
The textile industry is one of the most polluted industries in the world and is estimated to account for ten percent of global carbon dioxide emissions. Despite this, clothes and home textiles are not handled according to the waste hierarchy, where priority should be given to prevent generation of...

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