Intelligent transport congress heads for Melbourne

Melbourne is about to get a place on the international stage from October 10-14 this year when it hosts the 23rd World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS).

Themed "Enhancing Liveable Cities and Communities", the congress will attract 7000 delegates from more than 60 countries who will be sharing insights, technologies and innovations in traffic technology with an eye firmly fixed on the future.

Congress delegates will include Australian and international ITS professionals, government and major city representatives, industry and business leaders and university and school students as well as more than 300 exhibitors.

With the aim of looking at the way transport contributes to liveability, the ITS congress will showcase some of Melbourne's innovative transport systems. It will also look at what Melbourne can learn from international delegates and what it can teach them.

There will also be 13 technical tours demonstrating innovative features of Australia's transportation system, including the Port of Melbourne (the largest container port in the southern hemisphere), Melbourne airport and traffic management centres for the city's road, rail and tram network (pictured).

Enthusing over Melbourne's securing of the 23rd ITS congress, Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said "Melbourne is the ideal city to host the 2016 ITS Congress as we are home to commerce, education, health, sport, cultural and residential areas which can all be accessed by foot, on bike, via public transport or in vehicles.

"Connectivity, safety and sustainability have been essential elements of Melbourne's liveability and prosperity," he said.

ITS CEO Susan Harris said: "ITS technologies include communication, data processing and electronic technologies for in-vehicle, vehicle-to-vehicle, vehicle-to-infrastructure and mode-to-mode systems that increase transport safety and mobility, improve the sustainability of travel, reduce congestion and improve the performance and competitiveness of all modes of transport.

"This is an opportunity for delegates to share knowledge, connect and engage, and participate in discussions and decision making which will shape future transport, mobility and infrastructure in Australia and around the world."

To register for the 23rd World Congress on ITS, visit the website.

Picture courtesy of Diliff/Wikimedia Commons