First autonomous vehicle trial for New Zealand

Car maker Volvo and the New Zealand Traffic Institute (Trafinz), New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) and the Ministry of Transport are to demonstrate an autonomous vehicle as part of the national Trafinz transport conference. Volvo will demonstrate the technology on a 10-15km stretch of public road in November.
September 9, 2016 Read time: 1 min

Car maker 609 Volvo and the New Zealand Traffic Institute (Trafinz), 6296 New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) and the Ministry of Transport are to demonstrate an autonomous vehicle as part of the national Trafinz transport conference.

Volvo will demonstrate the technology on a 10-15km stretch of public road in November.

New Zealand Transport Minister Simon Bridges sees autonomous vehicles as a big part of the future of transport, offering potential safety, efficiency and environmental benefits.

“This is will be the first trial of its kind in New Zealand and reflects our world-leading regulation around autonomous vehicles, which encourages new technology while protecting public safety,” he says. “The Government is ensuring New Zealand stays at the forefront of transport innovation, with recent reviews of the rules relating to autonomous vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and small passenger service operators, respectively.”

Location Based Systems

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Highways England to trial wirelessly connected vehicles and driverless cars
    April 11, 2016
    Highways England (HE) is to invest US$213.5 million (£150 million) on new technology, including trials of driverless car technology on motorways. As part of its innovation strategy, HE may introduce a connected corridor, or ‘wi-fi road’, which could see cars and infrastructure wirelessly connected, with drivers receiving news of advanced road closures or congestion warnings. The strategy also includes trialling radar technology on motorways and in tunnels to improve the way breakdowns are detected. A
    Read More
  • Leading Finland’s transport revolution
    July 18, 2017
    Anne Berner, Finland’s minister of transport and communications, does not fit the normal political mould. She is not a career politician but a business executive who became a member of parliament in 2015 and has said from the outset that she will only serve one term. Without concerns about being re-elected and a clear view of the future of transport, Berner can concentrate on what needs to be done - tackling some of the more contentious and intransigent subjects. Her name is best known for two major initiat
    Read More
  • Connected vehicles - potential to transform US transportation
    April 12, 2013
    There’s a new face in the driving seat at the US Department of Transport’s ITS Joint Program Office. Fortunately, as Robin Meczes finds out, he’s no learner driver… Ask Kenneth Leonard why he wanted his new job as director of the ITS Joint Program Office, and his answer comes back without a second’s delay. “The potential to save lives, reduce injuries and help people enjoy a more efficient transportation system is the kind of challenge that makes me want to come to work each morning,” he says. “In my opinio
    Read More
  • State DOTs using drones to improve safety, collect data and cut costs
    March 29, 2016
    A growing number of US state departments of transportation are leveraging innovative drone technology to creatively improve safety, reduce traffic congestion and save money. According to a March 2016 survey by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), 33 state departments of transportation have or are exploring, researching, testing or using unmanned aerial vehicles, commonly referred to as drones, to inspect bridges and assist with clearing vehicle crashes, among othe
    Read More

Highlighted Content