The final session of Roads Australia’s industry-leading Transforming Transport Summit focused on what’s next for the sector and the future of transport.
Transurban’s Tien-Ti Mak delivered an engaging keynote address on the opportunities of smart infrastructure and connected and autonomous vehicles. He highlighted the changing nature of the sector, noting that 40% of Transurban employees work in technology roles. He also challenged attendees to consider how we can actively shape our future transport technology.
With the rapid rate of change being driven by AI, Will Fooks of Stantec emphasised the need to be attuned to the vast challenges and opportunities of automation – noting its impacts on everything from procurement to how organisations engage with staff.
Alana Newbrook shared some insights from abroad, noting that the rate of change is rapid. Alana shared insights on SYSTRA’s work on the Hyperloop 1 project in India, which uses magnetic levitation tubes to reach speeds of 1200km/h.
Continuing on the rail theme, Timothy Parker of the High Speed Rail Authority provided a welcome update to the industry on the work being undertaken by the HSRA and urged people to consider high-speed rail as an economic project and a new product in the transport space.
RA Board Member Silje Troseth moderated the session, highlighting that action, collaboration and innovation was needed to propel the sector forward.