ITS World Congress has a bigger than expected impact on Melbourne’s economy

The 23rd World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems, in Melbourne, has had a bigger than expected economic impact on the local economy and is now estimated to be US$34.5 million (AU$46.6 million), nearly twice the initial projection. The increase has been attributed to the higher than anticipated attendance figures. More than 11,500 Australian and international delegates participated, 4,500 registrations more than the target figure of 7,000. The high volume of visitors had a positive impact on the loca
May 15, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
The 23rd World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems, in Melbourne, has had a bigger than expected economic impact on the local economy and is now estimated to be US$34.5 million (AU$46.6 million), nearly twice the initial projection.


The increase has been attributed to the higher than anticipated attendance figures. More than 11,500 Australian and international delegates participated, 4,500 registrations more than the target figure of 7,000. The high volume of visitors had a positive impact on the local economy with benefits felt, in particular, across hotels, transport companies, restaurants and places of interest. The state of Victoria also benefited, with many visitors opting to make additional trips to regional Victoria and interstate.

Delivering the 6456 ITS World Congress to Melbourne was a collaborative effort, involving many partners including the Victorian Government, Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) and the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC).

The ITS World Congress showcased Melbourne’s multi modal transport network, taking more than 650 delegates to key air, sea, road, train, tram and freight centres. Albert Park’s internationally-recognised Formula One track was one of multiple locations for 3,500 booked live vehicle technology demonstrations. Almost 250 plenary, executive, special interest, scientific and technical sessions, 278 exhibiting partners, a hackathon and the student and public community projects were held at the MCEC.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • ITS America 2013 best of ITS awards announced
    April 29, 2013
    Winners of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America) 2013 Best of ITS Awards were announced during the opening plenary session of the 23rd ITS America annual meeting and exposition. This highly competitive program which recognises the most innovative projects and influential achievements in the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) industry, and winners included, for best innovative product: Intelligent Transportation System Facility Management, Florida Department of Transportation
    Read More
  • Automated transportation track
    August 26, 2014
    An unmissable feature of the ITS World Congress Detroit includes extensive coverage of the full range of issues in vehicle automation which has captured the public imagination like very few other innovations. It is being compared to the Internet in anticipation of the sea-change it will bring to our landscape, and in the way we live our lives. The Automated Transportation Track at this year’s Congress is sponsored by The Transportation Research Board (TRB), the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems Inte
    Read More
  • ITS World Congress examines challenges of autonomous vehicles?
    December 11, 2015
    The 2015 ITS World Congress opening ceremony saw PSA Peugeot Citroën executives arrive in an autonomous vehicle, so the International Benefits, Evaluation and Costs (IBEC) Working Group’s dedicated session proved very timely.
    Read More
  • International ITS leaders to network in Melbourne, Australia
    April 4, 2014
    Intelligent transport systems (ITS) leaders from Asia, Europe, USA and Australia will meet in Melbourne at a free half-day business exchange and networking event on Friday 2 May. Convened by ITS Australia, the meeting will provide updates on ITS developments and deployments across four continents, including innovations for vehicles and infrastructure, legislative initiatives, telematics technologies and plans for the ITS World Congresses in Detroit in September this year and in Melbourne in 2016, as well
    Read More

Highlighted Content