Organisation 
The National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI)
Country
Sweden
Contact
Who is the National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI), and what is your role as a Charter Ambassador?
VTI is a national research institute focused on traffic safety and developing a safe and sustainable transport system.
As Charter Ambassador, we promote evidence-based practices, share insights from Swedish research, and encourage collaboration to improve road safety across Europe.
Why did you decide to join the European Road Safety Charter?
We joined the Charter because we believe road safety is a shared responsibility, and research plays a vital role in shaping safer systems. Our expertise spans a wide range of traffic safety issues, from pedestrian accidents linked to weather, to the consequences of accidents in terms of sickness absence and disability pension.
Participation in the Charter allows us to share these insights and contribute to safer, more inclusive transport systems across Europe.
What are your main focus areas and current projects?
Our research covers diverse topics, including winter tyre use in summer, surrogate safety measures at intersections on 2+1 roads, and heavy vehicle crashes. These studies provide a foundation for improving road safety and support evidence-based decision-making in transport planning and policy.
Who do you collaborate with?
VTI works with national and international partners to provide research that informs decision-making, including how to improve our transport system in terms of road safety.
What advice would you give to organisations working on road safety?
Combine empathy with evidence. Go beyond crash statistics to explore behavioural patterns, systemic risks, and human factors. Collaborate across disciplines, design interventions that are data-driven yet people-centred, and prioritise solutions that account for human error. Engage with communities, policymakers, practitioners, and researchers. Even small improvements can save lives, and remember that the ultimate goal is safer, more inclusive mobility for all.