Automated mass transit inquiry launches

A new inquiry into automated mass transit has been launched by the House of Representatives Infrastructure, Transport and Cities Committee.

The inquiry will focus on developments in the use of automation and new energy sources for land-based mass transit.

Committee Chair John Alexander said that automation would make mass transit systems “better, stronger and faster”, by making them safer, more efficient and more reliable than they are today.

“International experience of automated metro systems shows what they could do to improve connectivity within our rapidly growing cities,” Alexander said.

“Automation and platooning present real opportunities to make bus networks more reliable and responsive, as well as more efficient, creating real competition between different modes of transport.

“In addition, new fuel sources — such as electricity and hydrogen power — have the potential to make mass transit cheaper, reduce our carbon footprint and reduce our reliance on the importation of fossil fuels.”

The committee will inquire into and report on current and future developments in the use of automation and new energy sources in land-based mass transit, including:

• rail mass transit
• road mass transit
• point-to-point transport using automated vehicles
• Commonwealth roles and responsibilities in the development of these technologies.
   

Submissions are open until Friday, 7 December 2018. For more information about how to make a submission, contact the Committee secretariat.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Ivelin Radkov

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