What Is Driving Us

Transport infrastructure and associated technology is constantly evolving. New trends are constantly emerging even as we start to understand and respond to what this technology means for us, our state and nationally.

Transport is an integral part of our state. Vast distances and sparse populations present complex challenges for productivity and sustained prosperity. While we might find some solutions work in urban areas, we have to think about what new discoveries and approaches might mean for all Western Australians.

Some of today’s key challenges such as road safety and congestion will continue, but at the same time new opportunities will present themselves due to the development of technology, trends and emerging business models. The following is an overview of trends and emerging technologies that we are following ensure Main Roads is ready to help all Western Australians be prepared for the future.

The Future of the Vehicle

Internationally we have seen global sales of electric vehicles (EV) increase significantly and the release of the Chevy Bolt the US marked the first affordable EV with a range over 300 kilometres. With more models released over the next 12 months, EVs are becoming more important in the future of transport.

Following the recent closure of Hazelwood Power Station and the increasing number of new renewable energy projects recently announced in Australia, a clearer pathway to a cleaner energy future is emerging. In this context EVs provide a way to a cleaner transportation system, and are improving as the energy that charges them becomes cleaner.

During the past year we have seen Google create its Waymo brand, complete 3 million miles of fully autonomous (driverless) testing and start to offer public trials in Phoenix There are now more than 30 companies licensed to test autonomous vehicles on Californian roads, with a mix of traditional and newer vehicle manufacturers, technology companies and ride-sharing companies included. Progress means the likelihood of autonomous technology as part of our future is greater.

In positive signs, Australia is collectively trying to remove obstacles from this autonomous future, with the National Transport Commission and Austroads jointly releasing guidelines for trials of automated vehicles. Nationally, projects such as the Australian Driverless Vehicle Initiative (ADVI) are helping to progress autonomous vehicles, as are projects such as RAC’s Intellibus and Curtin University’s Kip bus.

The Future of Transportation

Autonomous vehicles enable significant opportunity with some analysts expecting that hailing a ride in city environments may be cheaper than owning and operating a vehicle. Cruise automation is one example of the convergence of new technologies. Testing of autonomous, electric vehicles in a ride-sharing context has already occurred, with Lyft recently sharing videos of their capability.

Mobility as a Service takes this one step further, allowing users to “plan and pay for all modes of public and private transportation within the city—be it by train, taxi, bus, carshare, or bikeshare”. Users can opt to pay for transportation services as they go, or opt into a plan, much like mobile phone plans. Such a service has the potential to improve the accessibility of transport for all Australians although social justice under such an approach is an area for further conversation with the community.

Rise of the Machines

Use of machine learning and artificial intelligence is blossoming, with autonomous vehicles just one emerging area using artificial intelligence to solve problems. Amazon is another example, trialling AmazonGo in Seattle and using a combination of video analytics and artificial intelligence for 'just walk out' technology. This is where a retail store tracks, purchases and removes the need for customers to wait at a cashier.

Increasingly artificial intelligence techniques combined with low-cost sensors and improved connectivity are allowing organisations to solve new challenges and have different approaches to existing problems, including within the transport sector.

Why Look to the Future?

We expect an increasingly data-rich future, with new technologies and services available within the transport sector. By looking outside of our own organisation and understanding what others are doing we seek to comprehend, prepare for and be in the best place to adapt benefits from these new opportunities.

Keeping WA Moving

The strength of our strategic direction 'Keeping WA Moving' is its design to drive us beyond the traditional three-to-five-year planning horizon. Keeping WA Moving prepares us to be well positioned to respond in a fast-changing world. It sets a direction for 10, 20 and even 30 years in the future, recognising that we need to prepare now.

Keeping WA Moving helps us to achieve our Main Roads Aspiration “to provide world class outcomes for the customer through a safe, reliable and sustainable road-based transport system”. Part of achieving this is being aware of what is happening across the world and positioning ourselves to take advantage of new and emerging opportunities as they evolve.