Latest news in transport tech

The transport industry is constantly evolving and emerging technologies are playing an increasingly vital role. These technologies are helping to streamline processes, reduce costs, improve safety, and enhance overall efficiency, while also making a difference to emissions.?

Take a look at some of the transport tech and initiatives that are on our radar in 2023, from Australia and around the world.??

Solar-powered tracking units

Tracking makes an incredible difference to data collection and analytics but what do you do when the battery on the tracker runs out??

This problem is being solved with the help of solar-powered tracking units. A recent example from WHG Technologies only needs two hours of sunlight per day in order to provide near real-time GPS visibility with one GPS Position per minute when moving and one per four hours when stationary. These trackers utilise Telstra’s IoT network to send updates and help companies manage fleet equipment when it is on the road.

Read more here.?

Ultra-rapid EV charging

According to Invest Victoria, Victoria is the first state in Australia to introduce the latest generation ultra-rapid EV charging stations. These stations are capable of charging an Electric Vehicle to be able to drive between 350 and 400 kilometres in under 15 minutes, which is a game-changer as the uptake of EVs increases.?

Additional charges may apply for the speedy uptake of energy.?

Sensors, drones and interactive streetscapes

Sensors will gather data and manage noise/air pollution to provide insights and help traffic flow more smoothly. One example from overseas is VivaCity, which has recently raised funding so it can continue to gather accurate, detailed and anonymous data on transport modes, traffic flow and travel patterns. The company’s sensor technology is being installed in different cities to support strategic decisions, help optimise transport networks and improve urban infrastructure.

In the future, the NSW government is promising to make travel easier with interactive streetscapes, which will include features such as:

• Road users receiving real-time traffic alerts safely on their phones, with personalised notifications about traffic conditions and incidents.
• Small aerial drones to quickly monitor traffic incidents and congestion to guide action, and to monitor the condition of roads, bridges and other infrastructure assets.
• Cameras, bluetooth, telematics and WiFi sensors on road and rail networks, to detect and measure what is happening in real time, send data to network management systems and enable safer, more efficient and reliable journeys.
• Electric vans making last-mile freight deliveries in urban areas with significantly lower operating costs and reduced noise impacts
• Acoustic sensors to measure the levels of noise exposure from passing freight trains on neighbouring homes, to assess where mitigation measures can reduce noise impacts.
• In-vehicle freight telematics that communicate with other vehicles, infrastructure and mobile devices to share information about journeys to improve safety, compliance and journey planning.?

See more here.?

Automated vehicles

It’s becoming more and more likely that our grandchildren will marvel at us for even knowing how to drive a car.?

The challenge right now is to regulate the safety of self-driving vehicles and develop infrastructure around its capabilities. According to Australia’s Office of Future Transport Technology, there will be a national approach to regulating automated vehicles. The Automated Vehicle Safety Law will deliver a nationally consistent regulatory approach to enable the safe operation of automated vehicles when deployed on Australian roads. It is expected to be in place by 2026.

Meanwhile, a recent article in the Canberra Times mentioned the difficulties with self-driving trucks due to their size and the fact that, for now at least, people will still be needed to unload and offload goods and keep an eye on them while they are in transit.?

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