Last winter, thousands of travelers were stuck in the cold on E22. Even E4 was affected by traffic chaos during Easter. Now, the Swedish Transport Administration is presenting measures to prevent such situations from happening again.
In an action plan submitted to the government, the authority notes that information to travelers did not reach out sufficiently well.
We need to find better channels to reach out to road users. We have, for example, many drivers who do not speak Swedish and we need to reach out to them as well, says the Swedish Transport Administration's Director-General Roberto Maiorana.
Maiorana points out that information may be needed already at the border, perhaps via signs in English or other languages.
To be towed away
The Swedish Transport Administration also wants to remove stranded cars that block roads faster than was the case last winter. A new measure to be used already this winter is so-called "short towing."
On E22, there was a standstill at the front of the queue. Then we'll make sure to tow away those vehicles and move them along the road or park them in parking bays along our roads, says Maiorana.
Another problem highlighted is long uphill climbs, such as E6 past Hallandsåsen. Even there, the Swedish Transport Administration promises faster measures.
We have extra resources out both for salting, sanding, plowing, or towing away vehicles. And we will intensify that, he says.
They also highlight enhanced preparedness and a new 24/7 function that will enable the Swedish Transport Administration to respond faster. At the same time, cooperation with the rescue services and county administrative boards will improve.
The Swedish Transport Administration will also have direct contact with certain snowplows.
They are our eyes on the road, so that contact is vital, says Maiorana.
The Minister: Good foundation
The report lays a good foundation for avoiding a new traffic chaos like the one on E22, according to Infrastructure Minister Andreas Carlson (KD). Then, authorities did not act and pointed fingers at each other – and that will not happen again, he says.
One can be confident that these measures will make the Swedish Transport Administration and other contractors responsible for winter road maintenance better prepared this winter.
The Minister also points to individual car owners' responsibility to think ahead and be prepared in winter.
Those who have summer tires should under no circumstances venture out in winter road conditions.
