Tampere area tops Finland’s winter road maintenance survey

According to a press release on ePressi, the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency released a survey showing road users rated the Tampere maintenance contract area highest for winter road maintenance last winter and identified the contract areas with the largest increases in user satisfaction. Tampere led the pack.

Top user-satisfaction scores came from very demanding maintenance contracts in Tampere (Pimara Väyläpalvelut Oy); demanding contracts in Hämeenlinna and Porvoo (both Destia Oy); and base contracts in Kangasala (Destia Oy), Veteli (YIT Road Oy) and Pieksämäki (Terranor Oy). These rankings will feed into contractor incentives and operational development.

The biggest improvements in satisfaction were recorded in Tampere’s very demanding contract (Pimara Väyläpalvelut Oy), in the demanding contracts for Orivesi and Heinola (both Pimara Väyläpalvelut Oy), and in base contracts for Harjavalta (Destia Oy), Sastamala (YIT Road Oy) and Pieksämäki (Terranor Oy). Heavy-traffic users’ satisfaction rose most in the Southern Ostrobothnia regional vitality centre, where Destia, YIT Road and Terranor operate.

"Last winter was very different from the previous one, with three distinct phases: a wet, changeable period until January; severe cold in January–February; and a rapid spring," said Jarkko Pirinen, an expert on maintenance of main roads at the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency. He said the more stable late-season weather eased contractor workloads and produced more even service quality.

There are 79 maintenance contracts, typically five-year terms. Tasks such as snow clearing, anti-skid treatment and smoothing packed snow and ice — as well as choices around staff, machinery and scheduling — all affect user satisfaction.