Delegates from two world-leading regions in transport innovation met in Melbourne this week to find new ways to solve transport challenges faced in society today, including congestion, sustainability, accessibility and ageing infrastructure.
Led by United States Governor of Michigan Gretchen Whitmer, a delegation from Michigan joined Australian transport experts at the University of Melbourne for the Mobility Roundtable, which was jointly hosted by the University and ITS Australia, the peak body for advanced transport technology in Australia.
University of Melbourne Vice-Chancellor Professor Emma Johnston, attended the roundtable at the University's innovation precinct Melbourne Connect, and said it was crucial for leading mobility innovators to share knowledge, experience and ideas to solve increasing global transport challenges.
"Technology is transforming the transport sector rapidly, and Australia has a role to play in developing the solutions to improve the safety and efficiency of our transport networks and quality of life for Australia and for cities around the world," Professor Johnston said.
"Michigan is a powerhouse in automotive manufacturing and technology and Australia is a global leader in intelligent transport so exchanging ideas and collaborating works for the benefit of both our countries.
The roundtable was also a wonderful opportunity for us to showcase the Australian Integrated Multimodal EcoSystem (AIMES), a world-first living laboratory, established on the streets of Melbourne to test integrated transport technology, with a goal to deliver safer, cleaner and more sustainable urban transport outcomes," Professor Johnston said.
In her address, Governor Gretchen Whitmer said it was an honour to be in Melbourne to talk about the future of mobility and the strong ties between Michigan and Australia.
"I'm grateful to ITS Australia and the University of Melbourne for hosting us and our continued partnership through the Michigan Australia Exchange in Mobility (MAX) initiative," Governor Whitmer said.
"In Michigan, mobility and innovation are in our DNA. We put the world on wheels, and now we're leading the future too. Under this administration, Michigan has secured nearly 38,000 good-paying auto jobs and we are still home to more mobility R&D than any other state in the USA.
"We're committed to collaboration across government at all levels and between the public and private sectors to make Michigan the best place for bold ideas to take shape. We will build on the 2023 MOU between Michigan and Australia as we deepen our international cooperation in mobility innovation and knowledge sharing. Let's keep working together, across oceans, to lead the future of mobility."
ITS Australia CEO Susan Harris said ITS Australia arranged a series of meetings for its members to speak with the Michigan delegation about issues including future mobility, electrification of Australia's transport system, performance-based contracts, approaches to transport infrastructure funding and maintenance.
"I am so proud of the work the ITS Australia team does to ensure our members have the chance to connect with global leaders and take advantage of international opportunities, as the intelligent transport systems sector innovates and grows," Ms Harris said.
The Director of AIMES, University of Melbourne Professor Majid Sarvi said the roundtable was a wonderful opportunity for the Australian experts to "share their experience in implementing large-scale, connected vehicle technology in the heart of Melbourne, to combat road safety trauma, with Michigan".
"Following several events in recent years in Michigan and Australia, this roundtable focused on how to address the challenges in adopting emerging technologies in transport, which could significantly contribute to sustainability, reduced congestion and improved traffic safety," Professor Sarvi said.
Other participants at the Roundtable included the Director of the Michigan Department of Transport Bradley Wieferich; Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology Professor Thas Nirmalathas; and Dean Zabrieszach, CEO/Director, HMI Technologies and International Ambassador, ITS Australia.
