Smart Transport Systems Lead The Way In Victoria

Smart Transport Systems Lead The Way In Victoria



Media release - 13 August 2007

The world’s most technically advanced police car will be on show at the SmartDemo 2007 intelligent transport systems event, which is coming to Melbourne for the first time tomorrow.

“This advanced police vehicle – made in Melbourne and featuring facial, fingerprint and number plate recognition – is a great example of how ITS can benefit businesses in real time and in real situations,” the Minister for Information and Communication Technology Theo Theophanous said.

Mr Theophanous said SmartDemo 2007 would show businesses how smart transport technology can improve the safety, productivity and environmental performance of their business activities.

“This conference is the only forum for Australian transport leaders to gather to learn about and importantly trial the many Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) solutions available,“ Mr Theophanous said.

“SmartDemo 2007 will demonstrate and discuss how car and road transport technology innovations can make our transport solutions safer, smarter and cleaner.”

Forward Collision Warning, Blind Spot Monitors, Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Departure Warning will all be hot topics at the event being, with the Melbourne-developed advanced police car to be a highlight of the event.

“To the year 2010, as a result of new ITS technologies introduced to improve safety, it is estimated that 717 lives will be saved, which is another reason this forum is so significant,” Mr Theophanous said.

Parliamentary Secretary for Industry and Trade Marsha Thomson said Victorian company, Intelematics Australia, will be showcasing their cutting edge telematics and traffic services offering – SunaTraffic – at the exhibition.

“SunaTraffic enables motorists to make informed decisions about their journeys through the provision of real-time dynamic traffic information,” Ms Thomson said.

“The transport sector accounts for 4.9 per cent of total economic activity in Australia and the convergence of ITS to the transport, distribution and logistics industry generates billions of dollars for the economy every year.

“It is estimated that a one per cent increase in the efficiency of the transport industry could add as much as $500 million in value to Australia’s GDP.”

Hosted by Intelligent Transport Systems Australia, SmartDemo 2007 is set to be an international success attracting delegates from across Australia and Asia Pacific.

Established in 2005 by seed funding from the Victorian Government, Intelligent Transport Systems Victoria (ITSVIC) is a subsidiary of the parent organisation ITS Australia.