Managing technology to meet current and future transport needs

Customers determine how technology is used.

That was a central theme at the ITS NZ T-Tech conference in Auckland on March 19 and 20.

And it was reinforced by speakers from the Ministry of Transport (MoT), NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) and Auckland Transport (AT) at a March 20 session.

“Technology is like water – if you don’t channel It where you want it go it spills all over the place,” MoT strategic policy and innovation manager Richard Cross says, quoting Rick Stein (not the chef) from the Urban Design Group.

A lot of “hype” comes with many new tech trends, he says.

Using autonomous vehicles (AVs) as an example, Cross says the talk is AVs will eliminate most crashes, provide more affordable and less congested travel, free up valuable inner-city space and even allow children to play in the streets again because they cannot be hit by them.

“It sounds fantastical, but it’s not that easy.”

Cross warns people could end up with something that’s unwanted, including lower levels of physical activity, more congestion and urban sprawl.
“What’s it mean for the workforce too?

“We need to be aware of unintended consequences,” Cross says, adding the Government has a key role in determining outcomes through investment, information, research and regulation.
“Transport will always play an important role in our economy.”

An ITS action plan is undergoing review, particularly in line with the new government’s proposals, with the aim of creating “vibrant cities and thriving regions”.

“It will identify and address regulatory issues and develop roadmaps for land and air-based transport,” Cross says.

NZTA connected journeys director Martin McMullan talked about people using apps such as RideMate and Choice to work out their journeys.

He says people prefer to use one account to pay for all travel.

McMullan says an Auckland Transport technology working group is being established to create a 10-year future transport roadmap and strategy. He says a similar model could be used for Christchurch which has a red zone testing site where AVs can be trialled under various countries’ requirements.

AT chief technology officer Roger Jones says AT is looking to improve customer experience, especially through the Internet of Things (IOT), to provide for a Smart city, looking at every aspect of travel from below ground to aerial.

A Smart city is about transport, energy, buildings, security, connectivity, seamless interaction with customers, better and more flexible services, improved data access and a lighter regulatory environment.

Future transport will bring changes, such as drone use, and Jones asks whether New Zealand can adapt quickly to such changes and whether our environment can handle the technology (such as strong wind in the case of drones).