The Report
Smart Transport for Australia describes the status of ITS in Australia, provides examples of initiatives and opportunities for their future development and deployment, and then summarises future opportunities for Australian business, researchers and government in this significant sector. It is based primarily on the formal and informal exchange of information at the 23rd ITS World Congress, held at and around the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 10-14 October 2016.
The Report captures key Congress messages, with a focus on Australian considerations, identifying industry initiatives, opportunities, and benefits. The words of some of the leading experts on ITS topics locally and from around the world are used to highlight trends and opportunities throughout the document. The images, tables and graphs contained in this report were presented during the World Congress 2016.
The paper sets out a summary of the key messages under seven topics. Background and scene setting information is presented for each topic, followed by an explanation of the Australian context and the developments and opportunities for the Australian ITS sector.
Key Outcomes
The successful development of ITS technologies and the introduction of these to the Australian transport context requires an effective and forward-looking framework. This framework will be made up of regulation, government oversight, funding, standards and other elements. Some parts of this framework are already in place, other parts are being developed, but there is still much to do. Many aspects of ITS implementation are entirely new. Others represent novel approaches to existing operations or are combinations of new technologies. Regulation and standards must work together to provide consistency, integration and clarity for developers and end-users alike, pragmatically recognising that Australia is a more usually a ‘technology taker’ than a leader.
Achieving this will require support, funding and leadership from government. This includes policy setting, participation with industry in standards development, fostering state trials, and performance-based regulation that does not stifle innovation.
Industry must actively participate in innovation, collaborating and sharing knowledge to support larger goals as well as pursuing individual opportunities. Industry must also collaborate to ensure interoperability, particularly between in-vehicle installations and transport infrastructure. Government and industry alike must recognise the need for social equity in products and services that are developed.