Infrastructure Victoria is calling for submissions to help drive a groundbreaking new report on how the state can best prepare for the vehicles of the future.
The report was first requested by the Victorian Government in November 2017, and will provide advice on what infrastructure might be required to pave the way for automated and zero emission vehicles.
Infrastructure Victoria is inviting those with an interest in automated and zero emission vehicles to provide input into the development of the advice.
Based on what it has heard to date from early conversations with informed stakeholders and relevant findings from leading Australian and international researchers, Infrastructure Victoria has developed a shortlist of focus areas for the advice, from technology development, to digital infrastructure and land use patterns.
Infrastructure Victoria Chief Executive Officer, Michel Masson, said he was proud to be leading the way in Australia when it comes to identifying the infrastructure requirements for automated and zero emission vehicles.
“Infrastructure Victoria is pleased to be at the forefront of researching how the state can best prepare for the vehicles of the future, using an evidence-based approach to form clear and practical recommendations,” Mr Masson said.
“Automated and connected vehicles are generating a lot of interest across the world thanks to their potential to disrupt and transform how we travel, bringing benefits in areas such as safety, mobility and efficiency.
“Zero emission vehicles could make a significant contribution to reducing Victoria’s vehicle and carbon emissions, as well as delivering other environmental and health benefits.”
The advice will be delivered in two phases, with the first phase identifying a set of scenarios that will form the basis of the final advice.
The report, due in April 2018, will detail each scenario.
The second phase will be a detailed report on potential infrastructure requirements informed by the scenarios set out in the first phase, and will be delivered to the government in October 2018.
Project Director, Allison Stewart, said this first phase of consultation sought to uncover any relevant evidence, research or critical input from stakeholders early in the development of the advice.
“Consistent with Infrastructure Victoria’s values of transparency and collaboration, we want to work with stakeholders to identify and assess what is driving the future of automated and zero emission vehicles,” Ms Stewart said.
“There’s a great deal of uncertainty in this space so we are keen to get as much expert input as we can throughout the development of the advice.”
