AI capabilities, VR visualization of tunnels, sensorics on battery banks and new solutions for sludge management were among those presented at Innovation Arena 2024.

About 250 participants from companies, road builders, consulting companies and county municipalities, research institutions and student groups met for innovation in the road sector on 22 October in Kristiansand. In addition to professional programs from the stage, the hall was full of exciting solutions from the industry.

The moment you walk in the door, you notice that the mood is at its peak. People are eager, and ready to participate and contribute. It's a positive arena for everyone to be in.

This says Siri Eidet, who is sales and market leader land-based in Vinje Industri. She is standing on the stand together with colleague Tor Gunnar Austjord, sales and marketing advisor for the environmental project. Next to them stands Thor Erik Johansen, Sales Manager at BD Geosyntia. The two companies met casually at the Innovation Arena last year, and have since worked together to innovate sludge management. Both firms work broadly, and view the Innovation Arena as a door opener for more collaborations.

“We have many opportunities ahead, along with many wise heads who are here today. It's very exciting for us. The fact that cooperation is facilitated here is incredibly important, says Eidet.

Kjetil Knotten, segment manager at Anda-Olsen, was among those who took the opportunity to present a solution and get feedback from the expert panel with experts from across the transport infrastructure value chain.

A unique opportunity for dialogue with customers

Behind the event is VIA, in cooperation with Statens vegvesen and Nye Veier. The purpose is to create a common arena for companies, builders, road management, consulting engineers, research communities and contractors, and for good ideas to be taken forward.

“If you have a product for road or tunnel, this is the right place to be,” says Kjetil Knotten, segment manager at Anda-Olsen.

He has given a panel presentation on the solution for sensorics on battery in the tunnel, and how we can use the data we collect from the sensorics to create trend lines to predict when tunnels need battery service and when the battery bank needs to be replaced.

I received very positive feedback. It was very good to hear. Those from county councils expressed that this was something they wanted and would look into further. In addition, I got good contacts.

In addition to the Norwegian Public Roads Administration and New Roads, county municipalities are important players in the innovation arena. Troms County Council holds 1:1 meetings, provides feedback on panel pitches and has a stand during the event.

“Troms County Council has benefited from all the innovation that is taking place, so this is the right place to be,” says tunnel manager at Troms County Council, Arild Olsen.

“Meeting other players and getting to show what is happening with us is important,” says Birger Andre Schjølberg, Section Manager at the Technical Section of Troms County Municipality.

Collaborating on new ways to use road data

As part of the professional programme on stage and among the stands, we find the IT consultancy Bouvet together with the Norwegian Public Roads Administration. They show off their joint VR project to visualize Norwegian tunnels with game technology with data from the Norwegian Road Data Bank (NVDB), commissioned by VIA.

“In Bouvet we have a vision to build the society of the future, and I find that almost a bit embarrassing when we are here today and see people who are actually physically involved in building the society of the future,” says Victor Prestholm, head of Bouvet's unit with a laugh, adding:

“It's a lot of fun to meet partners and get to know different types of solutions and innovation in this area. We learn a lot from being here.

A valuable meeting place for the entire value chain

In line with growing demands for sustainability, efficiency and new technologies, road construction is facing a push to develop smarter solutions that reduce costs and environmental impact.

“We need to innovate road construction and everything else we do in the National Road Administration. Then we need contact with the market, new entrepreneurs who come up with good ideas that we can use further to streamline and create more value for society,” says Ove Myrvåg, Director of Finance and Business Management at Statens vegvesen

The innovation arena facilitates interacting in ways that are not so easy to come by in a busy everyday life.

“By having an arena where the entire value chain comes together, meetings happen that would not otherwise take place. We streamline meetings by meeting one day, watching and listening to each other, which you would otherwise spend a long time doing throughout the year,” says Anne Stine Johnson, Chairman of VIA and Head of Technology at Nye Veier, adding:

“The best thing here is to see the engagement, contacts that are made, and that those who are here experience it as a valuable meeting place.

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