$55 million to develop transport systems of the future
The federal government has granted a group of leading industry and research organisations known as the iMOVE Co-operative Research Centre (CRC), $55 million over ten years to explore intelligent transport systems.
Key members of the iMOVE Co-operative Research Centre (CRC) include the University of Sydney Business School’s internationally respected Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies (ITLS) and the University of Sydney’s Faculty of Engineering and IT.
The large grant to iMOVE CRC was announced by the Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Senator Arthur Sinodinos.
It has been described by the Director of the ITLS, Professor David Hensher, as “a clear demonstration of the central role the transport and logistics industry will play in improving competitiveness and productivity across the Australian economy.”
When added to contributions already made by industry and university members, the federal funds bring the iMOVE CRC’s total research budget to more than $100 million.
“These funds will now be used by iMOVE CRC to explore digital and evolving vehicle technologies to increase the efficiency of passenger and freight flows, reduce congestion, fuel use, and emissions, and to improve productivity and competitiveness,” Professor Hensher said.
We are at the verge of a dramatic change in the way transport will be provided in the near future
Around a million dollars a year will flow to the Business School’s ITLS and the Australian Centre for Field Robotics.
“The ITLS is actively involved in the iMOVE CRC group through its focus on the research themes of intelligent transport systems and infrastructures; end-to-end freight solutions and enhanced personal mobility,” Professor Hensher said.
“We are at the verge of a dramatic change in the way transport will be provided in the near future. There are new disruptive technologies such as electrification, autonomous vehicles
and drive- sharing that will have a significant impact,” said Professor Eduardo Nebot, Director of the Australian Centre for Field Robotics.
“Our expertise will support the development and deployment of innovative transportation systems and the introduction of autonomous vehicles across a wide variety of industrial and urban applications.
“Among the many benefits to Australia would be the productivity of its freight system from reduced congestion, fuel use and accidents. Car accidents have cost Australia an estimated $17 billion a year and the cost of congestion is projected to be $50 billion by 2030.”
The University of Sydney will work with iMOVE’s partners on the three main research themes of the CRC: intelligent transport systems and infrastructure, end-to-end freight solutions and enhanced personal mobility.