Skip to main content

Australia steps up to next level of ITS deployment

The recent 2013 Australian ITS summit revealed that Australia is moving rapidly from test beds and pilots to real world applications of new ITS technologies, especially in the vehicle sector. The summit identified some next steps in technology to improve Australia’s transport networks, including: integrated public transport systems; interoperability of communications and ITS platforms; totally integrated multi-modal, real time traveller information; roll out of managed motorway systems; and autonomous ve
September 30, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
The recent 2013 Australian ITS summit revealed that Australia is moving rapidly from test beds and pilots to real world applications of new ITS technologies, especially in the vehicle sector.

The summit identified some next steps in technology to improve Australia’s transport networks, including: integrated public transport systems; interoperability of communications and ITS platforms; totally integrated multi-modal, real time traveller information; roll out of managed motorway systems; and autonomous vehicles and “platooning” to increase road network capacity and safety.

858 ITS Australia president Brian Negus said Australia’s third biennial summit demonstrated an energised convergence of government, industry and academia to focus on both the forward strategy for national ITS, and the actual projects and initiatives required to deliver improved mobility, safety and sustainable travel.

“Governments are recognising that ITS applications can ‘sweat the asset’, but clearly the challenge is to get more funding into the sector. This amplifies the need to demonstrate the real benefits from the trials being run,” he said.

Summit delegates learned there is great synergy between the strategies and initiatives across the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific, and Australia was recognised as a leading developer and installer of ITS.

Chairman of 560 ITS America Peter Sweatman, who was a keynote speaker, emphasised the renowned capability of Australia in the international ITS industry, highlighting in particular the areas of road safety and freight where he considers Australia to be a world leader.

ITS Australia chief executive officer Susan Harris said it was satisfying to see a wider range of ITS representatives at this year’s summit, including delegates from spatial and mapping, transport and logistics, transit, traffic sensing and other specialist fields.

“The varied inputs at the summit reflected the need for and importance of clear policies and strategies to ensure that key industry issues are addressed. This is critical to get traction in priority areas in an industry that is so diverse and technically complex,” she said.

Related Content

  • June 4, 2015
    After two decades of research, ITS is getting into its stride
    Colin Sowman gets the global view on how ITS has shaped the way we travel today and what will shape the way we travel tomorrow. Over the past two decades the scope and spread of intelligent transport systems has grown and diversified to encompass all modes of travel while at the same time integrating and consolidating. Two decades ago the idea of detecting cyclists or pedestrians may have been considered impossible and why would you want to do that anyway? Today cyclists can account for a significant propor
  • February 27, 2012
    Neutral observations
    Welcome to a first edition of ITS International under a new editor - one fully aware of a need to maintain high standards. Jason Barnes is a hard act to follow. Jason remains involved in this magazine, contributing as technical editor with his invaluable knowledge of the ITS industry. I congratulate him on all he has achieved, steering ITS International to being recognised as the sector's leading and most respected title. With a change comes a new perspective, however. Joining as editor with a general but n
  • January 19, 2012
    ITS America urges greater international co-operation on ITS
    Iteris, Inc.'s Abbas Mohaddes talks about his plans for ITS America this year
  • January 26, 2012
    European ITS Congress emphasises ITS development and deployment
    The 8th European ITS Congress is a key event for the industry. Hermann Meyer, CEO of Ertico-ITS Europe puts the event in context