The trusted voice of the industry
for more than 30 years

MoT and BusinessNZ in transport study

Posted on 06 July, 2017

The Ministry of Transport and BusinessNZ are partnering to produce a study into how transport innovation can benefit the New Zealand economy, said transport minister Simon Bridges. “The potential of self-driving cars and their associated economic opportunities are often the focus of research and investment, but there are many other aspects of the transport system which present economic opportunities,” he said. “I want to see businesses positioned to flourish in New Zealand as intelligent transport systems (ITS) are commercialised.” An advisory group, chaired by Opus chief executive Dr David Prentice, will oversee the study. The group includes representatives from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, and other private and public sectors. Bridges said the study is expected to be finished at the end of the year, and will “make recommendations for how we can develop and grow ITS market opportunities where we have a competitive advantage, and identify areas to be strengthened.” “There are companies in New Zealand already working in the growing ITS market, as well as companies who could do so,” Bridges said. “A number of international companies have also expressed interest in developing their ITS technologies in New Zealand.” The Ministry of Transports first Government ITS Plan was launched in June 2014, which facilitated the roll-out of ITS over four years, with most targets intended to be achieved by 2018 . Government actions announced in 2014 covered a wide range of transport-related issues, including mandating Electronic Stability Control, a centrally-managed road speed limit map, introducing card-based ticketing schemes on public transport, and developing next generation SmartGate technology at Customs.