International expertise also seen as vital for Australian challenges
Federal transport minister Michael McCormack has shared road transport knowledge with international counterparts around areas of safety, technology and investment at the World Roads Congress in Abu Dhabi.
The deputy prime minister led an Australian road transport delegation, with the information-sharing exercise aimed at improving global standards in road safety, systems management and the use of technologies to develop future transport networks around the globe.
McCormack says the gathering presented opportunities to learn from what is being done around the world to address some of the challenges facing Australia.
He also spruiked Australia’s 10-year infrastructure pipeline, including projects such as Inland Rail, Western Sydney Airport and road safety investment.
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“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,” he says.
“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-focused 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.”
Included in the dialogue was advances in autonomy, seen as a ‘game-changer’ in safety and mobility, McCormack says.
“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 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.