News

Solving the logistics issues of weakly load-bearing soil – LEVITOI project has now ended

3.6.2024

Climate change creates challenges for road network and logistics across the world. Depending on the geographical location, the bearing capacity of the soil is weakened by rising temperatures and ever-increasing rains whereas in some places the soil hardens due to droughts. New technological solutions could help to ensure that the growing demand for forest and agricultural products can be answered while simultaneously caring for the environment and surrounding nature.

LEVITOI project was organized together with Finnish universities, research institutes and companies from the agricultural and utility vehicle industries. The project aimed to develop new machine and equipment solutions to deal with the logistical and operational challenges of primary production. The focus was on exploring solutions for logistics and utility vehicles regarding the changing soil. The project aimed to enhance the readiness of primary production to adapt into the changing climate and to decrease greenhouse gas emissions.

The project resulted in many valuable insights, solutions and conclusions, some of which more general and can be transferred into other situations, and other very specific relating to the use cases of companies involved. For example, Nokia Tires investigated the potential of smart tires in logistics, forestry and agriculture whereas Junkkari investigated the impacts of technical effects of agricultural vehicles to the soil and harvest. To see more of the results and the project overall, see the publications of the project attached below.

https://www.theseus.fi/handle/10024/818092

https://oulurepo.oulu.fi/handle/10024/46287

https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-28236-2_5

Involved organizations and companies: LUT University, Oulu University, Oulu University of Applied Sciences, Natural Resources Institute Finland, Nokian Tyres, Sampo-Rosenlew, Junkkari, West Coast Road Masters, ProAgria Keski-Pohjanmaa, Metsäteho, Mevea, HH Jalasto and Metsäkonepalvelu.

LEVITOI project ended earlier this year in March.

For more information:

Petri Junttila, petri.junttila@oamk.fi

Aki Mikkola, aki.mikkola@lut.fi