An Australian Road Transport Delegation has joined the international stage with a focus on sharing knowledge and building best practice in road safety, transport investment, systems management and the use of technologies to develop future transport networks around the globe.
Speaking at the 26th World Roads Congress in Abu Dhabi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the gathering presented unprecedented opportunities to share our expertise, especially with regard to data collection and investment in roads, while also learning from what is being done around the world to address some of the challenges facing us at home.
"We are here with over 120 other nations to engage on how we best use our roads and to share, learn and listen to world leaders about new innovations in transport networks, emerging technologies and initiatives to drive down road trauma," Mr McCormack said.
"The safety challenge is fundamental to our future transport network, particularly with the distances many people must drive in Australia, especially for those who live in regional, rural and remote areas.
"We are already seeing the benefits of safety focussed road upgrades with two of our biggest projects - The Pacific Highway in New South Wales and the Bruce Highway in Queensland - returning significant reductions in road fatalities along completed sections. But there is more to do, especially in reducing road trauma in regional Australia and for vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians."
"Automated vehicles are potentially a game-changer in safety and also for those who have limited mobility or are unable to drive, something most of us take for granted. If successfully integrated with public transport, such vehicles could connect more people to jobs and services that are currently out of reach due to unreasonable commutes or lack of services."
"I'm looking forward to engaging with industry leaders in this space over the next three days to understand how technology and innovations can continue to build our national transport network and improve safety on our roads."
The World Roads Congress is held every four years on a rotating basis for member countries and brings together over 120 nations to share new techniques, innovations, strategies, trends and best practices in the fields of road, infrastructures and transport.
