Melbourne to host 2016 ITS World Congress

Intelligent Transport Systems Congress to attract 5000 delegates

A five-day trade exhibition and conference in Melbourne will bring together experts on advanced transport technology from all over the world. To be held during October 2016 at Melbourne's Convention and Exhibition Centre ('Jeff's Shed', as the locals know it), the event will generate $23.5 million in revenue for the state of Victoria.

The ITS (Intelligent Transport Systems) World Congress will draw in as many as 5000 delegates, all experts in the fields of communication, data processing and electronic technologies for in-vehicle, vehicle-to-vehicle, vehicle-to-infrastructure and mode-to-mode systems. Principally these leading-edge technological developments are aimed at increasing transport safety and mobility, sustainable travel, reduced congestion, and improved efficiency for all modes of transport.

“Hosting the Congress here in Melbourne would provide an opportunity to showcase the latest technical developments to a global audience, with delegates including private corporations, public agencies and academic institutions involved in the research, design and implementation of new technologies across all modes of transport,” said Victorian Minister for Tourism and Major Events, Louise Asher, as quoted in a press release.

In another press release Brian Negus, President of ITS Australia, expressed his delight at the news from Tokyo last week that ITS had settled on Melbourne to be the host venue for the 23rd ITS World Congress.

"We are particularly pleased with the support shown by our ITS Asia Pacific region colleagues who assessed the World Congress bids and selected Australia at the ITS Asia Pacific World Congress Board Meeting in April 2012," he said.

'ITS — Enhancing liveable cities and communities' will be the theme for the event, says Negus.

"Australia is at the forefront of development and deployment of ITS technologies in many fields," said Former ITS Australia President Dr Norm Pidgeon, who will chair the organising committee for the 2016 World Congress. "That we export our products and ideas to international customers, and that we continue to implement state of the art systems across Australia proves the strength of our ITS industry.

"Our industry resources will collaborate with our international peers to produce a strong World Congress program to help move the industry forward globally. Transport safety, reducing congestion and the environmental impact of our networks are all greatly improved by effective ITS delivery.

"We expect that by 2016, these themes will be even more pressing in our busy cities and communities. This World Congress will be Australia's opportunity to foster further international cooperation in unleashing the power of ITS," said Norm Pidgeon.

Before the Melbourne event falls due, ITS will hold annual World Congress events in Vienna this year, followed by Tokyo next year, Detroit in 2014 and Bordeaux in 2015.  ITS Australia is a not-for-profit organisation that numbers suppliers, government bodies, academics and transport businesses among its members. The think tank convenes summits and conferences, provides a medium for dialogue to take place between transport modes and government, while promoting transport-related R&D and the export of Australian technology.

With the automotive industry increasingly focused on the benefits of car-to-car communications and the integration of personal transport with civil engineering, as exemplified in Nissan's Tokyo Motor Show exhibit last year, the efforts of organisations such as the ITS will be of increasing benefit in years to come.

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