Law and Ethics of Smart and Green Transport Systems (5 cr)

Evaluation scale

H-5

Objective

The course comprises four modules introducing students to the legal and ethical considerations of using and deploying smart and green transport systems. Though the relevant legal and ethical considerations are primarily not currently codified in legal instruments, the legal and ethical implications of smart and green transport systems are already apparent and distillable. The course approaches this topic, focusing primarily on a plethora of relevant areas of law, such as intellectual property law, data protection law, environmental law, public procurement, aviation law, and consumer law in the development and use of smart and green transport systems.

The primary objective of the module is to help students:
1. Understand and critically analyze legislations, court decisions, as well as legal texts related to smart and green transport;
2. Understand, describe and analyze new technological developments' impact on the overall legal system governing transport and mobility;
3. Demonstrate depth and breadth of understanding of the need and consequences of the developments of new policies and legislations in the field of smart and green transport;
4. Improve research skills in utilizing international legal sources, institutions and databases.

Execution methods

Online lectures, self-study, independent research, exercises, individual/group work.

Accomplishment methods

1) Mandatory readings
2) Lectures (70% mandatory attendance)
3) Individual/group work

Content

Students must attend at least 70% of the online live lectures. However, attending all the lectures is strongly recommended.
We will highlight some key issues discussed in the mandatory readings during the online lectures. During the lectures, there will be several opportunities to discuss various topics on regulating smart and green transport and case studies. Materials will be provided during the course. Active participation of the students is expected.

SCHEDULE FOR THE LECTURES
The course runs during the autumn 2025. It composes of the following modules:

Module 1: Introduction to legal and ethical aspects of smart and green transport systems
Teachers: Ballardini and Salami (2hrs)
Outline:
1. An overview of the regulatory framework of smart and green transport systems
2. Introduction to the ethical issues related to the development and use of smart and green transport systems

Module 2: Data Protection and smart and green transport systems
Teacher: Salami (4hrs)
Outline:
1. Data flow in smart and green transport systems
2. Data protection regulation of smart and green transport systems
3. Algorithmic ethics and principles of data protection in relation to smart and green transport systems
4. Data security in smart and green transport systems

Module 3: IPR in smart and green transport systems
Teacher: Ballardini (4hrs)
Outline:
1. Legal Incentivization of sustainable transportation
2. IPR and trade secrets protection of non-personal data
3. IPR issues related to spares and repairs of smart and green transport systems

Module 4: A compendium of lectures on selected legal fields relevant to smart and green transport systems
Teachers & Topics (2 hrs each)
a.Environmental law and sustainability transitions in transport and mobility systems, Professor Jukka Similä
b.Open transport data in smart and green transport systems, Doctoral candidate Dino Girardi
c.Public procurement and smart and green transport systems, Professor Kirsi-Maria Halonen
d.Aviation law for smart and green transport, Post-doctoral researcher Mikko Huttunen
e.Cybersecurity in smart and green transport, Professor of practice Eija Warma-Lehtinen

Materials

(Preliminary list - not complete) Articles and books: 1. Maurer, Markus & C. Gerdes, J & Lenz, Barbara & Winner, Hermann. (2016). Autonomous Driving. Technical, Legal and Social Aspects. Available at:

Qualifications

No prerequisites.