Skip to main content

Melbourne welcomes the world in opening spectacular

Through the melodic rhythm of the didgeridoo and traditional dancing, the 2016 ITS World Congress opening ceremony reflected the 2,500 generations that indigenous people have lived in Australia while the speakers considered the challenges facing host city Melbourne, other urban areas around Australia
October 10, 2016 Read time: 1 min
Local indigenous Australian Ian Hunter, performs a smoking ceremony believed to have cleansing properties and the ability to ward off bad spirits
Through the melodic rhythm of the didgeridoo and traditional dancing, the 2016 ITS World Congress opening ceremony reflected the 2,500 generations that indigenous people have lived in Australia while the speakers considered the challenges facing host city Melbourne, other urban areas around Australia – and indeed the world. Delegates were told that Melbourne’s population is expected to double by 2050, exacerbating the transport challenges that are so prevalent across an increasing urbanised world. So during the congress, more than 1,000 discussions, 300 exhibitors, 13 demonstrations and technical tours of all transport modes will help the 9,200 delegates take ideas and solutions back to 70 nations.

Then, having cut the ribbon to officially open the Congress, delegates, exhibitors and presenters alike were treated to a welcome reception sponsored by Cubic Transport System were treated to networking opportunities and colourful entertainment.

Related Content

  • Magway delivers future of transport
    January 18, 2021
    A dramatic shift towards e-commerce and home working, plus the need for sustainable deliveries, means future cities are at a crossroads, says Phill Davies of Magway
  • A carbon free and accident free Europe by 2015?
    February 2, 2012
    By 2050, the Europe Commission aims to make transport in Europe carbon- and accident-free. Between now and then, however, a significant technological development and deployment effort is needed. Here, Neelie Kroes, European Commission Vice-President for the Digital Agenda, talks about what's being done. In many respects, COOPERS, CVIS and SAFESPOT, set up by the European Commission (EC) to explore the potential of cooperative infrastructure systems, are already legacy projects. Between them, the three devel
  • European Space Expo lands at ITS World Congress
    October 24, 2012
    A curious looking white dome has appeared alongside the Messe centre as the European Space Expo reaches Vienna and the ITS World Congress, the latest stop of its tour of Europe. The Space Expo is essentially promoting and providing information on Europe’s space programme, much of which has direct relevance to ITS systems of tolling, goods tracking and satellite navigation, among other things. According to the Expo’s head of communication Donna Reay, in previous years the European Union has exhibited to indu
  • No compromise on workzone safety
    January 14, 2022
    The National Work Zone Memorial is a sobering reminder of the dangers of working on US highways. More accurate and timely information can help reduce risks, explains One.network’s Simon Topp