A national summit on the development and deployment of state of the art intelligent transport systems (ITS) technologies in Australia will be held in Melbourne from 18 to 20 November 2009.
Co-hosted by the Victorian Government and Intelligent Transport Systems Australia, the Summit is expected to attract 300 delegates with presentations and workshops providing a comprehensive update of ITS technologies under the theme 'connecting Australians'.
Announcing the Summit theme, Victorian Minister for Roads and Ports Tim Pallas said the Summit will place special focus on road safety, congestion and sustainability.
“These are just some of the challenges facing Victoria, and the Australian transport network,” said Tim Pallas.
“Meeting these challenges on a national level requires close consultation from all State and Federal counterparts, as well as the systematic implementation of ITS technology.”
“A special feature planned for the summit is a Ministerial Roundtable to progress a national approach to the application of ITS technology. Relevant State, Territory and Federal Ministers are being invited to attend this meeting to streamline dialogue at the policy level.
“ITS technology helps transport and road users to utilise infrastructure more effectively and efficiently. It is the link that will help State, Territory and Federal Governments meet their transport challenges.
"That is why it is important to establish a formal means of sharing information, technology and strategy around such issues between States and industry.
“This Australian ITS Summit will provide a vital interface between leading edge innovations and the Australian State and Federal Governments. The Summit objective is to build a framework that will deliver an ITS national strategy and vision for the next 10 years,” he said.
According to ITS Australia Executive Director Terry Warin to deliver the outcome of a national vision, Summit delegates from government jurisdictions, the research community and the private sector will be able to contribute to informed debate on core transport priorities.
“ITS should no longer be applied as a remedy to fix problems," he says. "It should be specified in the earliest planning phase as a core component of any transport investment.
“The surge in infrastructure development offers significant scale and scope for a planned national approach to the application of ITS technology.
A number of international ITS industry leaders are key note speakers at the Summit. Chair of USA based Ygomi LLC Russell Shields will address Freight Industry Efficiency and Enforcing Heavy Vehicle Regulations and lead a panel session on the topic.
Russell Shields was a founding director of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America and was awarded the 1999 SAE-Delco Electronics ITS Award for service to the ITS industry.
Head of the Technology Delivery Group at Transport for London Jeremy Evans will speak on the topic Improving Road Network Management.
Evans is responsible for the traffic management measures introduced in 2003 to support and complement the operation of the Central London Congestion Charging Scheme and for the implementation of the enforcement infrastructure.
He is also responsible for trials of new technologies that can be applied in the future development of road user charging, using satellite positioning, mobile phone or tag and beacon systems. He is Vice Chair of Intelligent Transport Systems UK.
ITS Australia's Terry Warin says other topics programmed for the Summit include reducing environmental impacts, improving road and rail safety, improving public transport operations and developing ITS technology capability.
“However, our main focus will be on the target to develop a national vision for ITS in Australia. One of the activities planned to help facilitate this is a special workshop on radio spectrum,” he says.
A national organising committee has been convened to plan the Summit, including
- Dean Zabrieszach, VicRoads;
- Terry Warin, ITS Australia;
- Brian Negus, Royal Automotive Club of Victoria;
- Gino Dompietro, Sinclair Knight Merz;
- Jeremy Nassau, Transurban;
- Geoff Goeldner, National Information and Communications Technology Australia; and
- Dennis Walsh, Department of 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.