The recent Smart Cities Council webinar, "Intelligent Transport Planning and Design Across Modes," brought together leading practitioners and thinkers from across Australia and New Zealand to share practical strategies and fresh perspectives on the future of mobility.
Convening a Think Tank for Transport Transformation
Hosted by the SCC Intelligent Transport Taskforce, the session showcased the Council’s ongoing commitment to fostering collaboration among government leaders, transport regulators, technology firms, and consulting professionals. This inclusive platform is key to surfacing new initiatives, benchmarking best practices, and producing blueprints for the digital transformation of transport systems.
- Maud Leruste, SYSTRA
- Pete Klestov, Transurban
- Matthew Jedniuk, GHD
- Megan Gregory, ViaStrada Ltd
The panelists covered a breadth of timely topics, including:
- The use of digital twins for transport projects, enhancing predictive modeling and supporting robust, data-driven decisions.
- GIS applications for real-time data collection and integration, helping agencies optimise travel times, catchment analysis, and prioritisation of new investments.
- Implementation frameworks and regulatory considerations in large-scale initiatives, with a focus on practical roadmaps for deploying new technologies.
Case studies demonstrated the integration of advanced technologies—from AI-powered traffic incident detection and platform simulations for rail and hyperloop, to accessibility modeling for pedestrian and cycling infrastructure. The discussion further explored demographic shifts, changing travel behaviour, and environmental priorities shaping transport planning.
Expert insights highlighted both the opportunities and real-world barriers facing the sector: the complexity of managing vast transport datasets, the need to simplify and prototype solutions for rapid adoption, and the ongoing investment challenges in digital innovation despite clear benefits. Panelists also stressed the importance of cross-disciplinary thinking and continuous stakeholder engagement, as transport challenges cut across urban and regional boundaries.
Smart Cities Council extends thanks to all speakers for sharing their experiences and expertise, and to attendees for their engagement. As the sector continues to navigate the digital transformation of mobility, practitioners are encouraged to revisit the recording, review the resources such as the Code of Digital Transformation of Transport, and reach out with questions or to get involved in future sessions.
