The level of collaboration "among finalists and winners alike" marked out the 14th Annual ITS Australia Awards in Brisbane, according to Silje Troseth, ITS Australia president.
"It is inspiring to see the industry combining their great knowledge and capability to deliver incredible solutions to enhance Australia's vehicles, roads and infrastructure networks," she said.
"From in-vehicle technology enhancements, to building better roads and initiatives that enhance public transport, our winners are representative of an industry committed to end-user safety," said ITS Australia CEO Susan Harris.
"This is a central pillar of ITS Australia's mission to promote ideas and technology that will deliver safer, more efficient, and sustainable transport solutions."
Who won the ITS Australia 2024 Awards?
Connected & Automated Vehicle Award
Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads for Demonstrating Improved Safety in Australian Roadworks Using Portable C-ITS Roadside Stations.
The department completed a C-ITS roadworks demonstration, showcasing the integration of roadworks-specific equipment with a multi-vendor proof of concept. The event demonstrated how portable C-ITS roadside stations, not previously used in Australia, can improve safety and congestion in temporary traffic management situations.
Chief engineer Dennis Walsh said the project "brought together so many local and international partners to showcase a tangible, interoperable, and impactful use of C-ITS portable roadside stations in realistic Australian roadworks situations".
Smart Transport Infrastructure Award
Transurban for its Pacemaker Lighting System for the Burnley Tunnel project in Melbourne. The system aims to improve the driver experience by increasing drivers' line of sight and helping drivers maintain a consistent speed in the steep and deep Burnley Tunnel. It is part of a significant makeover of the Burnley Tunnel intended to reduce congestion and improve safety.
Philip Naulls, general manager of Victorian Operations for Transurban, said: "Since we installed this Australian-first system in the Burnley Tunnel in March last year, we've seen a substantial improvement in our Linkt customers' experience in the tunnel, with a 38% decrease in stop-start traffic and the average journey 50 seconds faster during the evening peak."
Intelligent Mobility Award
Sprightly Transport Solutions for Seamlessly Integrating Real-Time Safety and Efficiency in Public Transport.
Start-up Sprightly integrated real-time location, route and schedule monitoring, driver app, CCTV+, passenger information display (PID) and automated passenger counting into a single system, replacing multiple IT systems, with efficiency and safety benefits for both drivers and passengers.
Brett Werner, founder and CEO of Sprightly, said: "We've worked tirelessly on our cutting-edge technology, and this award is a wonderful validation of hard work put in over an extended period of time."
Young Professional Award sponsored by Transurban
Shayna Elley from Via Mobility Australia and Jordan Hutchinson from Sage Automation.
Excellence in Research & Development Award sponsored by iMove Australia
Queensland University of Technology for its Advancing and Commercialising Autonomous Vehicle Technology in partnership with Ford Motor Corporation.
The project partners developed three new positioning technology solutions for autonomous vehicles, which have now been commercialised. The developments include more reliable positioning techniques that use the surrounding vehicles to stop getting lost, adapt their behaviour to different places, and understand how the environment can change.
Director of the QUT Centre for Robotics Professor Michael Milford said: "That this work could be done in Australia is also testament to the wonderful ecosystem for ITS research and development here, and we greatly appreciate all those who have worked with and supported us along this journey."
Excellence in Transport Data Award
Yarra Trams – operated by Keolis Downer, for its Yarra Trams Patterns Platform - Using GPS data to improve tram services.
In partnership with Hove, Keolis Downer has implemented a data visualisation platform, Patterns. Employing a high quantity of anonymised GPS phone traces, the platform can visualise and analyse usage for the Melbourne tram network, allowing Yarra Trams to better respond to demand and manage congestion.
"Our guiding principle at Yarra Trams (Keolis Downer) is to think like a passenger," said Nicholas Daly, director of passenger experience at Keolis Downer.
"The Patterns platform provides a richer understanding of tram patronage, trends, and end-to-end passenger trip details, allowing significantly improved planning decisions and improved services."
The Max Lay Lifetime Achievement Award
Announced in late 2023, Dr Paul Higgins received the away because, over more than 45 years, he "has been an active creator and innovator, leading the design and development of dozens of technology-enabled road safety products that have been deployed across Australia and internationally", ITS Australia says.
