Finland’s EEE Innovations and VTT Technical Research Centre have developed new software that detects black ice on the road surface and offers several other improvements in traffic safety.

The new invention can be installed in the majority of the heavy vehicles without making any major changes or additional equipment. It can also guide drivers to drive more economically.

EEE Innovations and VTT Technical Research Centre have designed the software to accurately detect slippery road conditions in real time with lower costs.

Initially, the application has been patented for heavy traffic use, but it can now be applied to private vehicles as well.

“Our goal is to make all heavy vehicles moving slipperiness sensors and to refine the gathered data into valuable information, to benefit all traffic users and other parties.”

EEE Innovations official Jarmo Leino said: “The driving optimisation system we have developed is the only one capable of recognising the driver’s input in economical driving, taking also into account factors independent of the driver, such as weather conditions, traffic jams and vehicle-related differences.”

“Our goal is to make all heavy vehicles moving slipperiness sensors and to refine the gathered data into valuable information, to benefit all traffic users and other parties.”

The driver guidance system can be deployed within the vehicle as part of the software that already exists in them.

Furthermore, it can be installed as an independent entity, containing the driving optimisation, as well as slipperiness detection components.

VTT Technical Research Centre principal scientist Raine Hautala said: “The pilot project indicates that with the system, savings up to 20% in fuel consumption can be reached, in addition to improved road safety.”