New Research and Innovation Programme for Geofencing

In light of the 2017 terrorist attack on Drottninggatan, the government tasked the Swedish Transport Administration with implementation of a demonstration project of geofencing in the urban environment. In addition to holding a demonstration day in which technology was presented, the parties agreed to create a plan of action illustrating important areas in need of development in order to implement geofencing over time and to make the solutions scalable. 

One of the seven points of emphasis was to establish a research and innovation programme in which the development work drives towards a common vision: to implement a combination of technology, IT and innovation infrastructure and the city's design of sustainable, safe and secure densely-populated urban areas. The purpose of the programme is to serve as a facilitator and knowledge centre where the relevant communal and industrial parties come together to support the plan of action's recommendations and initiate necessary development steps in the area. 

"When the urban infrastructure and vehicles are digitalized, new possibilities for improved traffic safety and reduced effect on the climate from traffic will be created. This mobilisation for geofencing is a key piece of the puzzle for utilisation of the possibilities of technology in order to create a more efficient and safer traffic system with a reduced effect on the climate," says Maria Krafft, head of objectives at the Swedish Transport Administration. 

Vehicles are already connected to a major degree and this can be utilised to create a sustainable and safe environment. Geofencing defines a digitalised geographic zone within which characteristics of connected vehicles can be controlled, such as speed and powertrain. In time, geofencing will also be capable of limiting access to specific zones or areas. Geofencing is considered an important too fore creation of a safe road transportation system in today's complex traffic environments whilst simultaneously meeting the demands on safe, fossil-independent and quiet transportation – today and in the future. In other words, geofencing is a tool for improving the quality of important sustainability aspects in the city.

The programme Geofencing, coordinated by CLOSER at Lindholmen Science Park, is made possible with the participation of the Swedish Transport Administration, Stockholm City, the city of Gothenburg, Scania, Veoneer, Volvo Cars and the Volvo Group. The programme will remain in place until December 2022, during which time additional partners are expected.
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