T-Tech 2019: Summit to transform transport
Experts and delegates at New Zealand’s future transport conference, T-Tech 2019, have been examining new and emerging solutions to transform transport – and make our cities more liveable and efficient.
Understanding and overcoming the challenges of urban intensification, congestion, disruptive technologies and climate change, the two-day summit from May 6-7 has featured presentations by international thought-leaders, technology experts, innovators, academics and government.
Co-ordinated by industry organisation Intelligent Transport Systems New Zealand (ITSNZ), T-Tech is an annual forum for decision-makers and planners to learn about emerging trends and innovations, and to explore their value and applicability to this country. About 200 delegates have attended.
A keynote speaker and MC for the conference was multi-award-winning nanotechnologist Dr Michelle Dickinson, aka Nanogirl. She aims to encourage environmentally sustainable living through engineering design, and led a discussion on opportunities to address climate change through change in transport and mobility.
The impressive line-up of 40 speakers included expert in their fields from the US, Australia and New Zealand, and fellow keynote speaker Horace Dediu – one of the world’s most renowned complex-data analysts.
He’s regularly interviewed by Forbes and Bloomberg, and is the organiser of Micromobility Summits in Europe and the US, which explore the global disruption of scooters, e-bikes and shared vehicles weighing less than 500kg.
After successfully rebranding as T-Tech in 2018 to encompass all emerging transport solutions, ITSNZ’s 14th annual summit was held in Christchurch, an official smart city and testbed for emerging technology, for the first time. It’s also home to some of the country’s most innovative transport solutions.
“A New Zealand showcase for national and international experts to share knowledge and explore solutions to make transport more sustainable, more efficient and safer, T-Tech informs, inspires and connects attendees,” says David Vinsen, chairman of ITSNZ.
“New Zealand is often viewed internationally as a leader in innovation. We stand to benefit greatly as a country – socially and economically – by being prepared for the changes coming, by clever development of innovations here, by better use of data quality and being informed on how to get the best from new solutions in transport.”
Known for her passion for new technologies, design and engineering solutions, Dickinson said: “Technology is changing every aspect of our lives – the way we learn, communicate, do business and get where we need to be. I have been so excited to be part of the conversation at T-Tech alongside an incredible panel of technology and mobility experts.”
The T-Tech 2019 programme launched on day one with a look at major transformative transport modes, followed by papers and presentations from New Zealand industry and academia.
The issues on day two have included climate change, transport equality and behaviour change, along with emerging mobility innovations, business models, and policy designed to help pave the way for change.
