Need for better XNUMX/XNUMX rest areas for motorists in the Barents Regionthat.
A report by transport authorities in Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia shows that there is a need for better places to rest around the clock in the Barents Sea region. Round-the-clock rest areas should be especially better suited for female drivers.
The XNUMX-hour rest areas in the northern areas are not good enough
- The Barents Euro-Arctic Transport Area (BEATA) has published an interesting report. This shows that the XNUMX-hour rest areas in the northern areas are not good enough. We will now deal with the report and see how in the coming years we can provide better places to rest around the clock, says Transport Minister Knut Arild Hareide.
The Barents Euro-Arctic Transport Area is part of transport cooperation in the Barents Sea Region. Trade unions in these countries submitted a report with proposals for action: "24h rest places on Barents Island". The report was commissioned by the Ministries of Transport: Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia.
There are 26 new XNUMX/XNUMX rest areas planned in the Barents region
The report shows that there is still a long way to go before the offer is good enough. IN Norway needs 17 new XNUMX-hour places rest. 26 new XNUMX-hour rest areas are planned throughout the Barents region.
- There are many interesting activities recommended in the report. A special adaptation to the additional challenges of the northern climate. For example, it suggests that drivers are allowed to climb ramps so they can clear snow that builds up on vehicle roofs. We have to see it in the context of budgets and road development in the coming years, says the Minister of Transport and Communications.
Strong investments in road investments are planned over the next 12 years
The Storting has just completed the implementation of the National Transport Plan 2022-2033. Strong investments in road investments are planned over the next 12 years. As part of this work, the plan to create 2017-hour rest areas will be included. In XNUMX, the Norwegian Public Roads Authority presented a national plan for XNUMX-hour rest areas, which will be the basis for development.
In addition, the working group recommends looking at the possibilities of offering electric vehicle charging stations to cope with the development of greener transport.
Rest areas must be generally of a good standard and regularly supervised so that women can feel safe
The study looked in particular at the offer for female professional drivers. In many places it was not organized well enough.
- In order to recruit more women for the profession, we must offer rest areas with good toilets. In addition, rest areas must be generally of a good standard and regularly monitored so that women can feel safe, says Hareide.
The UN's sustainable development goals are high on the Scandinavian transport ministries' list of priorities.
An interactive map of places of XNUMX/XNUMX rest was created (link at the bottom of the article)
- A large part of long-distance transport crosses borders and good cooperation between countries is necessary - emphasizes Transport Minister Knut Arild Hareide.
As a result of the work, an interactive map of places of XNUMX/XNUMX rest was created (link at the bottom of the article). Here, professional drivers can easily get an overview of the standard of toilets and bathrooms, whether there is Wi-Fi or other amenities.
- It is important that drivers have access to this type of information. The map is easily accessible and clear, making everyday life easier and more predictable for drivers, says Hareide.
Better rest areas are needed around the clock. International cooperation from Norway
In the Barents Sea area there are long distances, and often long distances, between well-equipped rest areas for heavy transport. The distance between the resting places varies greatly. There are a total of 188 registered XNUMX/XNUMX rest areas of very different standards in the area. The average rest area can accommodate three heavy vehicles.
The Norwegian Public Roads Authority in the North led the work on the report. To be defined as a 24-hour rest area in the Barents context, the following must exist:
- Toilet
- Waste management
- Cleaning and supervision and
- Open all year round
- Parking for heavy vehicles
Interactive map of places of XNUMX/XNUMX rest:
