Australia and Michigan to develop safer roads and vehicle technology

The Australian government and the US state of Michigan have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop vehicle and road systems to help improve road safety. Michael McCormack, deputy prime minister and minister for infrastructure, transport and regional development, says the agreement is part of a strategy to position Australia for safer roads through automated and connected vehicles. “This is just one way the government is promoting safer vehicles on safer roads, including for our region
October 10, 2018 Read time: 2 mins
The Australian government and the US state of Michigan have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop vehicle and road systems to help improve road safety.


Michael McCormack, deputy prime minister and minister for infrastructure, transport and regional development, says the agreement is part of a strategy to position Australia for safer roads through automated and connected vehicles.

“This is just one way the government is promoting safer vehicles on safer roads, including for our regions where road crashes remain unacceptably high,” McCormack adds.

Rick Snyder, governor of Michigan, says the partnership will share research and knowledge in the development and deployment of intelligent vehicle transportation.

“Ensuring the safety of connected and autonomous vehicles is paramount, and that will require a truly global approach to testing and validating the technology, as well as addressing the regulatory and policy environment those efforts operate in,” Snyder adds.

The MoU supports links between the University of Melbourne’s AIMES (Australian Integrated Multimodal EcoSystem), an integrated technology programme with a live test bed on Melbourne’s streets and Michigan’s Mcity and 8742 American Center for Mobility offroad facilities.

Michigan state is a strong advocate of ITS through its technology innovation facilitator, PlanetM, which awarded its first mobility grant to transport software firm %$Linker: 2 Internal <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 4 35590 0 link-external Derq false /event-news/its-america/2018/news/derq-predicts-violations-and-saves-lives/ false false%> earlier this year. Derq’s V2X software applications are used at an intersection in Detroit, Michigan to predict and prevent accidents.

Areas for possible cooperation identified within the MoU include:

• Sharing scientific, technological, regulatory and policy data, co-hosting meetings, workshops and conferences between Michigan and Australia as well as other countries.
• sharing best practices in skilled trades and workforce development programmes.
• Developing new programmes to address emerging technology needs.
• The creation of a joint task force to provide advice on strengthening Michigan and Australian technology clusters and connecting key coordinating bodies.

Andrew Broad, assistant minister to Australia’s deputy prime minister, says Australian research institutions and industries can establish better links with international counterparts under the MoU.

Urban Traffic Control

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • CVMA: Quebec's ZEV plan may create unintended consequences
    January 2, 2018
    The Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers Association’s (CVMA’s) president Mark Nantais has stated that Quebec’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) regulations “may result in unintended consequences for consumers, automobile dealers, industry and ultimately, Quebec's economy,” in response to the new strategy introduced by the province’s government. The standard aims to increase the number of ZEVs in the region and to reduce greenhouse gas and other pollutant emissions. It will come into effect on the 11 January 2018.
    Read More
  • Asecap: Road safety is a shared responsibility
    March 23, 2018
    Road safety is a shared responsibility of roads, vehicles and users, according to a key message delivered at Asecap’s Annual Safety Conference, in Brussels. The event provided an opportunity for road stakeholders to discuss the main safety priorities of the new mobility package to be presented by the European Commission (EC) next May. Additionally, the conference found that modern toll roads are the safest roads in Europe. The European Parliament and the EC blessed the memorandum of understanding
    Read More
  • Ennis-Flint acquires Italian markings manufacturer Vernisol
    March 21, 2018
    It’s a marriage made in Amsterdam! US-based Ennis-Flint has acquired Italian markings manufacturer Vernisol - both Intertraffic exhibitors. Ennis-Flint, one of the world’s largest manufacturers and suppliers of road marking materials, announced the deal, saying that Vernisol’s “strong, experienced management team, workforce and sales team” will remain in place to provide uninterrupted service to customers. Bruno Trentini, Vernisol managing director, will also remain a significant shareholder. “Our
    Read More
  • Init unveils software development centre in Ireland
    December 21, 2018
    Init has opened a development centre in Ireland to develop software for ticketing systems and field devices. Currently, eight employees are working at the facility located in the town of Maynooth, Kildare. Future plans include the creation of 20 additional jobs. Matthias Kühn, director of Init Ireland, says: “This also is an opportunity to improve the service for our existing customers in Ireland.” Init has completed projects in Ireland which include the delivery of an integrated ITS solution to help D
    Read More

Highlighted Content