ITS – govt actions for 2014-18

The government’s action plan on intelligent transportation systems (ITS) identifies what it needs to do in the areas of leadership, strategic direction and collaboration. The Ministry of Transport (MoT) will establish an ITS Leadership Forum this year with government, stakeholder and end-user representatives to take a long-term view and develop strategies. It will also set up a group to co-ordinate actions, while the NZTA will publish a framework to inform the sector on its approach for land-transport systems. Education, training and licensing systems need to adapt to take into account technological developments. The New Zealand Qualifications Authority, trainers, such as the Motor Industry Training Organisation, and engineering schools have important roles. For example, masters-level programmes in transport studies are offered at the Universities of Auckland and Canterbury and developed with the NZTA’s help, and at Lincoln University. Professional development will also be important. Government agencies such as Callaghan Innovation, which has an interest in sensor technology and unmanned aerial vehicles, and NZ Trade and Enterprise are available to assist firms working in ITS to develop products. They will audit ITS skill requirements and availability, and report to the leadership forum on developing systems and identifying shortcomings.

Electronic charging and payment systems

ITS can provide convenient ways to charge and pay for services. The NZTA has introduced electronic tolling on the Northern Gateway Toll Road, while road-user charge licences can be bought using the eRUC system. The government will now explore an experimental, voluntary scheme for differential RUC charges on congested routes. In concept, heavy-vehicle operators could pay lower RUC or get a rebate for using routes in off-peak periods, but more at peak times. The MoT and NZTA will investigate this by 2016. They will also co-ordinate research on technology being used internationally to support charging systems and to project likely developments. The research will include an evaluation of the reliability, security, costs and benefits.

Better compliance and enforcement

ITS may provide simpler options to ensure transport users comply with regulations. Electronic logbooks may become alternatives to paper-based systems – for example, by recording commercial drivers’ work. Intelligent speed assistance or adaptation (ISA) that can help drivers comply with speed laws can be achieved through advisory systems with motorists warned about speed limits, or through a system that overrides a driver’s input to automatically reduce speed to the posted limit. Fast ways to pay for using public transport and toll roads could be extended, and improving the efficiency of RUC refunds and the electronic display of compliance documents. The NZTA, with the MoT and the police, will investigate technology to simplify applications for overweight vehicle permits, improve RUC refunds and the e-display of documents by 2015. The agency and MoT will also consider opportunities and barriers to the faster adoption of ISA technology and simplified payments. As set out in Safer Journeys, a taskforce will pursue options to expand the use of automated weight and speed-enforcement technologies.

Applying new systems in New Zealand

The government has a role to play in monitoring overseas developments in ITS and how they might be applied here. The country’s geography means it lacks practical alternative routes for parts of the state-highway network, so there may be less ability to benefit from congestion information than in other countries. But the government can facilitate “proof of concept” demonstration trials to ensure ITS can operate in conditions here. Other technologies that may be of benefit include real-time travel alerts for in-vehicle systems, weigh-in-motion sensors and built-in weighing for heavy vehicles, and automated emergency calling systems for cars, such as eCall. When there is a benefit to New Zealand, the government may facilitate or fund research and development of ITS with universities, research centres or industry. Government agencies will determine priorities for testing ITS, and the MoT and NZTA will use the Transport Research Hub to co-ordinate and leverage research activity around ITS.