The city of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, has won the right to host the Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) World Congress in October 2016. Expected to attract more than 5000 delegates to the city and generate more than $23.5 million for Victoria, the large-scale trade exhibition and conference will be held over five days at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Center.
“Melbourne continues to attract some of the world’s biggest business congresses and conferences, a record that the Victorian Coalition Government is keen to enhance,” said Louise Asher, minister for tourism and major events in Victoria. “Hosting the Congress here in Melbourne would provide an opportunity to showcase the latest technical developments to a global audience, with delegates including private corporations, public agencies and academic institutions involved in the research, design and implementation of new technologies across all modes of transport.”
Intelligent Transport System (ITS) technologies include communication, data processing and electronic technologies for in-vehicle, vehicle-to-vehicle, vehicle-to-infrastructure and mode-to-mode systems that increase transport safety and mobility, improve the sustainability of travel, reduce congestion, and improve the performance and competitiveness of all modes of transport.
Terry Mulder, minister for public transport and public roads, said that the large Congress would give Melbourne the chance to showcase some of its advanced ITS initiatives, including the radio break-in railway level crossing safety program, adaptive traffic control systems, priority signaling for road-based public transport vehicles, electronic tolling and freeway management, and information systems to reduce delays due to traffic incidents.
“The sharing of knowledge and applications experience among the ITS sector is critical to further innovation in this area. This Congress is regarded as the preeminent meeting in the ITS industry,” said Mulder.
Securing the ITS World Congress adds to Victoria’s depth and reputation as a globally-focused and competitive ICT hub. ICT in Victoria generates around $29 billion in revenue and $2.45 billion in exports annually.
“This win is the result of a lot of hard work and a testament to the fact Melbourne has the capabilities, both in terms of business events infrastructure and ITS resources, to host an event of this caliber,” said Karen Bolinger, CEO, Melbourne Convention and Visitors Bureau.
