Hosts of the 2009 Australian ITS Summit, to be held in Melbourne from 18 to 20 November, have set Summit delegates the challenge to build a framework that will deliver a national ITS strategy for the next 10 years.
Co-hosted by the Victorian Government and Intelligent Transport Systems Australia, the Summit is expected to attract in excess of 300 delegates who will attend presentations — and then apply their skills and experience in facilitated workshops dedicated to delivering a new ITS vision for Australia.
Victorian Minister for Roads and Ports Tim Pallas said that never before has a program as ambitious as this been engineered in Australia.
“This is a unique opportunity for delegates to listen to and learn from world leaders in ITS technology and to contribute to the development of a national ITS vision,” says Tim Pallas.
“The Summit plenary presentations will be led by Australian and international pioneers in the development and deployment of state of the art ITS technology.
"With the help of workshop leaders, the presenters and Summit delegates will then collaborate to address specific themes,” he says.
With the overall theme 'transport technology connecting Australians', the agenda for the Summit includes:
- Improving road and rail safety
- Improving road network management
- Providing better travel and traveller information
- Improving public transport operations
- Facilitating a more efficient freight industry
- Reducing environmental impacts
- Improving security and emergency planning
- Increasing safety — reducing congestion
ITS Australia Executive Director, Terry Warin, says among the themes to be addressed at the Summit, infrastructure safety and congestion were key topics.
“Population growth is creating transport challenges across Australia," Warin says. "Deploying ITS technology in a considered and programmed manner will help to maximise the performance of existing infrastructure and help plan for future investments.”
“At this ITS Summit the people that participate will actually influence the industry’s future in Australia. For example, a special workshop on radio spectrum led by the Australian Communications Media Authority will also be held on the day before this Summit.
"Transport touches virtually everything we do. This is an exciting opportunity for the ITS industry. But more importantly, it is an exciting opportunity for Australia,” Warin says.
Among the keynote speakers addressing Improving Security and Emergency Planning is president of USA based Gold Eagle Security Consulting Michael Eadicicco.
A transport operations, emergency management and security specialist, he has held executive positions at the George Washington Bridge, Lincoln Tunnel & Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City, and was appointed as the first General Manager of Security for the Authority’s Tunnels, Bridges and Terminals Department following the World Trade Center attacks on 11 September, 2001.
In that role he was responsible for all non-law enforcement issues associated with security including developing the Department’s first comprehensive security business plan, risk and vulnerability analysis, evaluating existing and emerging technologies and managing the Department’s comprehensive security challenges in concert with transport and law enforcement agencies.
Keynote speaker Dr Christopher Querée will present on Improving Public Transport Operations. He has over thirty years experience in transport information services consulting in the UK and Europe.
Prior to becoming an independent consultant, he was Head of Systems Planning at the UK’s Association of Train Operating Companies responsible for the architecture and standards underpinning retail and information distribution applications in national rail, including standards and service requirements for ITSO rail smartcard systems, and the development of eTicketing services.
Previously, Querée worked in the UK rail industry and was a consultant at TPA, MVA and Detica, advising on passenger transport and highway information and payment systems.
He also represents the Council of European Railways in the preparation of European legislation for rail ticketing and information systems.
His professional activities include chairmanship of ITS UK’s passenger information interest group, and he is the UK representative on ISO TC204 WG8.
National planning team
The national organising committee convened to plan the Summit includes Dean Zabrieszach, VicRoads; Terry Warin, ITS Australia; Brian Negus, Royal Automotive Club of Victoria; Gino Dompietro, Sinclair Knight Merz; Jeremy Nassau, Transurban; Geoff Goeldner, NICTA; and Dennis Walsh, Department of Transport and Main Roads Queensland.
This event will provide excellent networking opportunities with government and industry ITS leaders.
The Summit program and registration form is at www.itssummit.com.au. Organisations interested in sponsorship and exhibition opportunities should telephone +61 3 9320 8675 or email sponex@itssummit.com.au.
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