More than 700 delegates convened over three days at the International Convention Centre Sydney for the annual ITS Australia Summit 2024, the nation’s largest industry led transport technology event.
Over 200 speakers across 40 sessions delivered presentations and participated in lively panel discussions that examined the core themes of safety, sustainability, and inclusivity to deliver a better transport future and support vibrant communities.
ITS Australia President Silje Troseth reflected on the importance of the annual Summit, which allows the broad industry to come together and showcase technology-led solutions to the country’s major transport challenges.
“Once again, Summit provided a forum for leaders across our broad industry to gather, bringing fresh ideas and showcasing the latest research, programs, and technology that can contribute to solving longstanding and emerging transportation challenges,” Ms Troseth said.
“In terms of road safety, for example, we know that in recent years, our national road toll has been moving in the wrong direction. At this year’s Summit, we saw a range of solutions, such as the latest development in C-ITS, that will make vehicles on our roads far safer.”
“Another impressive focus this year was inclusivity, with presentations demonstrating an intelligent transport future designed for everyone in our community, regardless of their specific needs. As a sector we are working hard to reduce transport disadvantage in both urban and rural Australia through the application of the latest technology.”
As the host state partner for Summit 2024, the New South Wales Government, through Transport for NSW, was front and centre, highlighting the technology operating on the State’s roads through a series of presentations across the program.
Beyond the Summit program, delegates witnessed the most advanced technology solutions in operation and development in Sydney, which are soon to be deployed on the State’s roads.
One such example was a Technical Tour to the Australian Centre for Advanced Robotics, where delegates were able to witness and experience a live demonstration of a Connected and Automated Test Vehicle fitted with the latest C-ITS capabilities.
New South Wales Roads Minister John Graham visited Summit 2024 and met with many organisations demonstrating their tech solutions, before addressing delegates about his government’s commitment to ITS.
“Given how much is changing in intelligent transport, it’s so important to bring the best experts and innovators together to share ideas and build relationships for future collaborations,” Minister Graham said in his address to delegates.
“The role of innovation in our roads network is just as important as opening a motorway or making the tolling system fairer, and in fact, technological innovation can help governments in a number of ways, including tolling and motorway management.”
“The next chapter of investment under this government is about how we use roads and other intelligent transport systems to connect our communities – that means connecting people to job opportunities, to their friends and families by building not just the roads, but the connected road networks of the future.”
Another key milestone at Summit 2024 was the hosting of the inaugural Careers Expo, where students from three New South Wales universities—the University of Sydney, UTS, and UNSW Sydney—joined delegates on the final day of the event to learn more about Australia’s burgeoning ITS industry and better understand the diverse career pathways it presents.
“The response from students was tremendous, with more than 150 students registering for the Careers Expo, which far exceeded our initial expectations and demonstrated a great interest in careers in ITS,” ITS Australia Chief Executive Susan Harris said.
“Importantly, the Careers Expo was supported by some of the transport industry’s biggest employers, with state government transport agencies from NSW, Queensland, and WA, as well as Transurban – one of the world’s leading toll-road operators – highlighting ITS careers to students in Sydney.”
“We look forward to further enhancing our Careers Expo in the future as part of our ambitions to build a resilient ITS workforce in Australia by supporting our industry in hiring the best and brightest students across various disciplines such as engineering, computer science, and transport planning.”
The success of the ITS Australia Summit is underpinned by tremendous support from a committed ITS industry, and the 2024 event was no exception. Around 40 organisations, big and small, supported the event as sponsors and exhibitors.
ITS Australia CEO Susan Harris reflected on the industry’s ongoing support for the flagship annual event.
“Each year, it is inspiring to see the lineup of organisations supporting the ITS Australia Summit – many who return each year, alongside new participants eager to be part of our thriving ecosystem.
“Their participation not only provides them the opportunity to showcase their technology to an engaged sector, but it also underpins our ability to produce a diverse program and innovative networking activities that are often the setting for developing new industry partnerships.”
Image: ITS Australia
