ITS – planning for the future

The government is hoping its action plan for intelligent transport systems (ITS) will help make transport safer by identifying what’s needed for New Zealand to advance the introduction of the technology. ITS use sensors, computing and communications in vehicles and in transport infrastructure, such as roads, and includes traffic control systems, advanced driver assistance, vehicle monitoring and integrated electronic ticketing. “These systems could transform transport,” says Martin Matthews, Secretary for Transport. “Many – such as driverless cars and the capacity for vehicles to platoon, which is driving closely together like train carriages by being connected electronically – are being trialled in other countries. “The action plan explains the government’s strategic context and leadership role. It takes a high-level, multi-agency approach to ITS. We want to ensure New Zealand is able to take advantage of these technologies and reap their benefits.” The Ministry of Transport (MoT) has developed the action plan with other government departments and agencies following public consultation in 2013. As well as trauma and personal tragedy, the social cost of road crashes is about $3.1 billion each year. The Safer Journeys programme aims to improve road safety. In parallel with this and other action, makers of advanced driver-assistance systems – such as lane-departure warning – will contribute. The NZ Energy Efficiency and Conservation’s strategy for 2011-16 has a target for making vehicles entering the fleet more fuel efficient, and an economy-wide commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions by five per cent from 1990 levels by 2020 and by 50 per cent by 2050. The government’s key areas of focus with transport are economic growth and productivity, value for money and road safety. It has four long-term goals. The system needs to be effective in moving people and freight. It needs to be efficient bydelivering infrastructure and services to the right level at the best cost. Another key word is “resilient” – to meet future needs and endures shocks. The fourth goal is “safe and responsible” in that the systemreduces the harms from transport. ITS can reduce the severity and number of crashes. Other technologies cut emissions by smoothing traffic flow, and improve the efficiency of supply chains by providing operators with real-time information.

The government’s role with ITS

Some ITS – particularly features to make vehicles safer and more convenient for operators – are designed and marketed by manufacturers with uptake driven by consumer demand. When this is the case, there may be little reason for the government to be involved. But there are a number of areas where it has an essential role. Feedback has identified the need for the government to provide strategic leadership in the ITS and transport sectors. It needs to provide a supportive regulatory environment, for example, by removing unnecessary regulatory barriers to deployment, ensuring open markets, regulating standards, speeding up deployment and managing safety risks of technology. Another government role is funding and procuring infrastructure or services. Examples includeproviding the building blocks needed for ITS solutions but with wider applications, such as enhancing global navigation satellite system coverage and three-dimensional digital mapping. It also needs to use information and opportunities provided by ITS – for example, in planning and operating transport networks for which the government or other agencies are responsible. It will prioritise technological solutions that support transport objectives. In particular, it seeks to enable cost-effective solutions for medium to long-term benefits. It will encourage sector-led development and investment, and will take a leadership and co-ordination role. Regulation will focus on removing barriers to deployment, ensuring open markets and accelerating the uptake of ITS technologies where there’s a public benefit. Visit www.transport.govt.nz/ourwork/intelligenttransportsystems/ for more information.