Changing oil: self-driving vehicles and the Norwegian state

The article begins with two vignettes: the first describes Norway's first truck platooning demonstration, part of the Borealis project; the second quotes Prime Minister Erna Solberg's vision of a future transport system dominated by autonomous vehicles. These examples highlight the growing expectations surrounding self-driving vehicles and their potential to revolutionize the transport sector. The article uses the framework of sociotechnical imaginaries to investigate how this future is envisioned in Norwegian policy and legislation, how it's operationalized in projects like Borealis, and how it relates to broader Norwegian society. The central research questions explore the envisioned future in Norwegian policy, the operationalization of this vision by transport automation actors, and its relationship to national policy and society.

The article draws on existing literature on sociotechnical imaginaries, highlighting their role in shaping the relationship between politics and technoscience. It discusses the four phases of a sociotechnical imaginary: origin, embedding, resistance, and extension. The increasing tendency of governments to view technological innovation as a path to a desirable future is also noted, emphasizing that innovation is tied to both past challenges and future aspirations. The article reviews Norway's 20th-century economic transformation, highlighting its reliance on resource-based industries and the government's varying approaches to fostering both resource-based and knowledge-intensive industries. The concept of the 'green shift', a national narrative of transitioning away from petroleum dependence towards sustainable industries, is introduced as a key context for understanding the embrace of self-driving vehicles.

The research employs a dual methodology. First, a document analysis of seven key policy documents (White Papers, government reports, legislation, tender documentation) is conducted to understand how self-driving vehicles are framed in Norwegian policy and legislation. This involved iterative readings focused on immediate benefits, challenges, broader political context, and societal impacts beyond the transport sector. Second, in-depth interviews were conducted with eight individuals involved in the Borealis project: four employees of the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (NPRA), three employees from NPRA's business partners, and one regional politician. These interviews, guided by an interview guide, explored the project's origins, its relationship to self-driving vehicle policies, its regional benefits, and the significance of Arctic testing. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using open coding. The study also incorporates participant observation during a site visit to the Borealis test site and attendance at the ITS Arena seminar, providing further insight into project dynamics and the field configuration of ITS in Norway.

The analysis reveals that Norwegian policy and legislation present self-driving vehicles in general terms, emphasizing common benefits such as increased safety, economic growth, and environmental sustainability. There's a strong economic orientation, framing participation in this technology as an economic opportunity. The Borealis project, however, demonstrates a more nuanced approach. While initially focusing on general benefits, the project's implementation highlights distinctly Norwegian contexts. The choice of testing location (Arctic conditions) is framed as contributing to European standardization efforts and demonstrates the robustness of the technology. Collaboration with predominantly Norwegian partners suggests an aim to foster a domestic high-tech industry. The initial platooning demonstration, though technologically flawed, served a performative function, generating excitement and providing political symbolism. The technologies tested in Borealis focused on improving road predictability and control, addressing road safety and value creation. The project's involvement with the fishing industry further connects self-driving vehicle technology to a vital sector of the Norwegian economy. The overall findings suggest that the Borealis project reflects a hybrid mode of innovation drawing on both traditional resource-based approaches and high-tech industry development.

The findings show that while Norwegian policy initially presents a general, internationally-circulating vision of self-driving vehicle benefits, the Borealis project demonstrates a grafting of these visions onto specific Norwegian contexts. This suggests that the Norwegian institutionalization of self-driving vehicles wasn't the origin of a sociotechnical imaginary, but rather its extension and subsequent operationalization. The Borealis project, with its focus on Arctic testing, collaboration with Norwegian partners, and connection to the fishing industry, may represent the origin of a distinctly Norwegian sociotechnical imaginary related to self-driving vehicles. The project's emphasis on digital infrastructure rather than vehicle autonomy contrasts with narratives emphasizing unfettered technological advancement, suggesting a more nuanced and potentially more realistic approach. The socio-economic implications remain uncertain, but the project's focus on infrastructural developments and resource-based industry integration indicates a focus on economic sustainability and the broader 'green shift' narrative.

The study reveals that Norway's interest in self-driving vehicles is deeply intertwined with its history as a resource-based economy and the need to diversify beyond petroleum. The Borealis project exemplifies a unique approach that combines traditional resource-based innovation with the potential for high-tech industry development. This hybrid model suggests a pathway for Norway to maintain its economic prosperity while transitioning towards a sustainable future. Future research could explore the long-term socio-economic impacts of this approach, examine the evolution of the nascent sociotechnical imaginary surrounding self-driving vehicles in Norway, and compare the Norwegian model with other national approaches to autonomous vehicle integration.

The study's reliance on a limited number of interviews and documents may limit the generalizability of findings. The focus on the Borealis project provides valuable insights but might not fully represent the diversity of perspectives and activities related to self-driving vehicles in Norway. Future research should consider broader perspectives and examine the evolution of policies and projects beyond the timeframe of this study.