Australian Strategic Transportation - Bureau of Infrastructure ...

GovernanceThe impact of the transport sector is so systemic it is appropriate for Australiangovernments to take leadership together for strategic research and technology governanceand reporting on the improvement of the transportation system in achieving productivityand effectiveness policy outcomes.Technological innovation, and its effective application, will have a key role in delivery a safe,efficient and sustainable transport system that enhances the nation’s social, environmentaland economic outcomes. Key current and prospective initiatives in this area are occurringthrough the new Austroads Cooperative ITS Steering Committee, the Cooperative ResearchCentre for Rail Innovation, and the forthcoming ITS Summit in mid November hosted by theVictorian Government.As discussed in an attachment, the SCOT Network Performance Standing Sub-Committeewill coordinating the further development of transport research and technology policy,building on these current initiatives.FundingWhile there are significant funds spent by government, academics and the private sector ontransport related research, better collaboration and co-operation will enhance the ability toattract funds and use them more effectively. Cross-sector alliances need to be built. There ispotential to cooperatively leverage funding where the many players in transport seecommon advantages. There is a need to use current funding more effectively and tobroaden the sourcesDataAccess to fit for purpose data is critical for research. It is used to improve operations, toshow how the system is performing and to develop new policies. Transportationinformation and communications technology will result in new sources of data which will beable to be used in new ways. Making data visible is an important first step. Data quality andharmonisation need improving. Data gaps need filling. Having national transportation datagovernance will facilitate this happening.Case StudyThe ATC Strategic Research and Technology Working Group researched and held a nationalworkshop to determine Australia’s strategically significant transportation data needs, datagaps and data priorities. The Australian Transportation Data Action Network (ATDAN) hasnow been established to implement the ATC’s Transportation Data Action Plan and createthe transport data visibility website: http://www.test.nss.gov.au/TransportPilot/index.jspPage 22