In October 2018, ITS Australia participated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Federal Government and the US State of Michigan, signed by Andrew Broad, Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister, and Rick Snyder, Governor of Michigan.
The Federal Government is positioning the nation for safer roads through collaboration on high-tech vehicle and road systems, made possible by this MOU between Michigan and Australia.
Michigan and Australia are both global leaders in the development of intelligent transport technology.
The MOU supports links between the Australian Integrated Multimodal EcoSystem (AIMES), a live test bed for ITS technologies on Melbourne city streets, and Michigan’s Mcity and American Center for Mobility off-road facilities.
It will strengthen bilateral cooperation across the mobility, automotive and technology sectors of both Michigan and Australia, in order to promote and foster sustainable growth and support innovation.
A year on, a new event to strengthen ties
The relationship between the Transport Industries of Michigan and Australia will be further strengthened at the upcoming 7th Australian Intelligent Transport Systems Summit 2019.
At the Summit, leaders from government and industry, representing both the American and Australian ITS industries, will meet.
During the opening session of the Summit, attendees will hear from Alan Tudge, Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure. Mr Tudge is passionate about solving the scourge of congestion in Australia’s cities.
The recent audit undertaken by Infrastructure Australia found that, unless measures are put in place to manage its runaway growth, the cost of road congestion will grow $18.9 billion to $38.8 billion in 2031. Mr Tudge will speak about the role of transport technology in tackling congestion.
Following Mr Tudge, Kirk T. Steudle will be the keynote speaker at the Summit. Mr Steudle is a key stakeholder in the Michigan/Australia MOU and is the former director of the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT).
Mr Steudle is now Senior Vice President of Econolite Systems, responsible for leading the company’s Transportation Systems Group, including its subsidiary CAVita.
Mr Steudle will speak about how mobility technologies must evolve in concert with the vision and core values of the communities they are intended to serve.
“The fusing of technology into our daily lives show no signs of slowing down. Integration of technology into the transport network is needed for greater economic efficiency and expansion,” Mr Steudle said, ahead of the Summit.
Experts speak on integrated mobility
The Summit will also feature Susan Proctor, Strategic Initiatives Director in the Automotive Office of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), and Dr James Sayer, Director of the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI).
Both Ms Proctor and Dr Sayer played a key role in establishing the MoU between the transport industries of Michigan and Australia.
Dr Sayer will speak about the challenges associated with the establishment of seamless integrated mobility systems.
“Regardless of significant differences in approaches to mobility and solutions available across the globe, one challenge that is universal is addressing and managing change relative to the status quo,” he said.
Immediately following the ITS Summit 2019, delegates from both Michigan and Australia will attend a function with Michael McCormack, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development.
This partner content is brought to you by ITS Australia. The 7th Australia ITS Summit 2019 will be held from 28 – 29 August 2019 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
