Thirty years ago, Claes Tingvall, adjunct professor at Chalmers’ Division of Vehicle Safety, founded Vision Zero. He has now been awarded a medal by the Swedish government for his many years of work and his “extraordinary contributions to the promotion of traffic safety.”
“Chalmers has played a major role throughout the entire journey. Without that support, it wouldn’t have been possible,” says Claes Tingvall. “In 1995, when it all began, I had long and in-depth discussions with Bertil Aldman, who initiated Chalmers’ involvement in traffic safety, and with Per Lövsund. They provided the support for Vision Zero’s fundamental principles that has withstood every challenge and objection.”
Congratulations, Claes! How does it feel to receive such a prestigious honour 30 years after founding Vision Zero? What does it mean to you personally?
“Seeing Vision Zero placed in the top league like this feels powerful, and it legitimises a fundamental societal shift. And I see it as a thank-you to everyone who has been part of creating so much that is good and important - across academia, public organisations, and industry. I ended up at the front, which is why I received the medal, but in my eyes it is an entire culture that has been awarded.”
When you look back at the start of the Vision Zero work in 1995, what stands out most from the resistance and doubt that existed then, and how does it feel to see how much has changed since?
“There was criticism and questioning on several levels. Some claimed, of course, that we would never be able to reach the ambitions we stated. Others criticised the more fundamental idea that it was the traffic system that needed to change - not the human being. Vision Zero is built on the fallible human - people as we actually are - and it is that human that we as professionals must protect. And there were those who disliked that we refused to moralise about people. Then there were claims that it would all be far too expensive, but the opposite proved to be true. We drastically reduced the cost of saving lives!”
In my eyes, it is an entire culture that has been awarded the medal.
When you look back in the same way at the early years of Vision Zero, is there anything that specifically surprises you about how far the work has actually come today?
“We have in some areas come much further, and with methods we only had an inkling of when we began. This applies primarily to vehicle development. Even infrastructure solutions have advanced further than I expected. What has not developed is the legal system, which still focuses solely on the individual as the offender. That is sad!”
What do you think is the most important challenge to keep Vision Zero alive and relevant in the coming decades?
“Innovation is always the key to continued success. Scientifically grounded new and improved solutions that save lives - both in Sweden and elsewhere, where the situation is far worse. Ninety-two percent of road deaths occur in low- or middle-income countries. So safety must be robust, low-cost and effective.”
What insights from the work with Vision Zero would you say other areas of society could learn from?
“That collaboration between technology, society and politics is essential. You cannot move forward without science, profitability and support from the public.”
If you were to summarise your journey with Vision Zero in a single sentence, what would it be?
“Science and proven knowledge beat common sense and gut feeling every time. What is called intuition has no place in an area that concerns life and health - it is almost always wrong! And I have great confidence that Chalmers will play an equally crucial role in the future, as the guarantor that we save lives through knowledge!”
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- Adjunct Professor, Vehicle Safety, Mechanics and Maritime Sciences