There are now less than three months until the 23rd World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems, Melbourne, 10 -14 October 2016, and the program is shaping up to deliver above and beyond.

 

Following the recent confirmation of Jack Dangermond, Founder and President of global mapping technology company Esri as a Keynote plenary speaker, the Congress program has adding further expert insight from Australian and international industry professionals across an array of subjects.

 

One such recent speaker Matthew Cole, President of US based Cubic Transportation Systems.

 

Upon his appointment as a speaker, Mr Cole said “I'm looking forward to the World Congress to engage in the conversation about how we move the ball forward on the policies and partnering that will allow us to unlock the potential of the industry in the next 10 years.”

 

Cubic Transportation Systems is a leading integrator of payment and information technology and services for ITS travel solutions worldwide, famously known for its invention of the Oyster card system, since revolutionising transport through London, one of the world’s busiest cities.

 

Mr Cole will share a stage in the Mobility as a Service Plenary session with Keynote speaker Jeroen Wiemar, Chief Executive Officer, Public Transport Victoria; Mr Xiaojing Wang, Chair, China ITS Industry Alliance; Richard Harris, Director Communications and Marketing Transportation and Government International Public Sector, Xerox UK and Martin Matthews, Secretary for Transport and Chief Executive, Ministry of Transport, New Zealand. Dean Zabrieszach, Chief Executive, HMI Technologies will moderate the session.

 

In order to improve future liveability, a clear direction must be agreed upon by private parties and government alike. With this is mind, Hamad Banouar, Vice President of Business Development and Government Relations at Sensys Networks, USA, the world leader in wireless vehicle detection systems, is another welcome addition to the congress speaker program.

 

Mr Banouar will present in the Smart Cities Plenary Session and says “The ITS Word Congress will bring together Government, Industry, Academia and the users in Melbourne, a world class city, to show real advancement in technologies that enhance peoples’ lives globally.”

 

Joining Mr Banouar in this session are Mr Dangermond; Men Leong Chew, Chief Executive, Land Transport Authority, Singapore; Mike Mrdak, Secretary, Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development, Australian Government, with Neil Scales, Director General, Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads as moderator.

 

The Congress also boasts more than a dozen technical tours designed to showcase the innovative features of Australia’s transport system. One such example will be a tour at the Australian Automotive Research Centre, the largest independently owned and operated automotive testing facility along Australia’s iconic ‘Great Ocean Road’ at Anglesea.

 

World Congress host, Susan Harris, CEO ITS Australia is looking forward to welcoming Australian and global speakers and the ITS community to Melbourne.

 

“The World Congress has always been a platform to showcase the latest technology to highlight advances in safety, vehicle and infrastructure technology and in 2016 the enhanced liveability of our cities and communities.

 

“It’s encouraging to see registrations coming in from across the globe and we’re receiving great interest in attendance from interstate and international ITS organisations. Within Australia, we are seeing strong interest from Federal, State and Local governments.

 

“Students and schools will play a significant role at the Congress and, in particular, I’m excited about the schools AutoCar programming challenge, the University Essay competition and the international scholarship program as well as welcoming members of the public during to the Open Days,” Ms Harris added.

 

The World Congress is expected to attract more than 7,000 global delegates to experience keynote speakers and will feature more than 900 sessions, 300 exhibitions, technical tours and demonstrations, as well as a host of networking opportunities.