CCAT is the Centre for Connected and Automated Transport - the new iteration of ADVI for Australia and New Zealand.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MESSAGE
In the last couple of months, I have been speaking at various industry events about how Australia is preparing itself for automated road vehicles. This important subset of connected and automated transport came onto the public agenda with a bang some years ago, but I notice stakeholders at these events increasingly asking the same question – well, where are they?
It’s no secret that timeframes for the deployment of automated vehicles are not what we might have anticipated five years ago. However, the need to prepare still remains. Momentum is important in areas like trials, infrastructure provision and regulatory change. A less obvious area is public acceptance.
In the first edition of our new series ‘The Commute’ (described later in this newsletter), CCAT member EastLink shares its recent research showing that public acceptance of completely autonomous vehicles is trending downward. This is a useful reminder to those of us in the sector, that the public need to be on this journey as well. Without public acceptance, the take up of the technology will be slowed and the expected safety, productivity and other benefits will be delayed.
At CCAT, we recognise the importance of sharing our knowledge about these and other connected and automated transport technologies with the broader stakeholder community and the public. We will continue to embrace opportunities to share (as well as learn) as we progress on our journey
Rahila David
CCAT Executive Director
CCAT NATIONAL LAUNCH
We are excited to introduce CCAT to our stakeholders and the broader public at our National Launch in Sydney on 11 May! The launch will feature some outstanding speakers and technology demonstrations, and will be a chance for us to share our message about the importance of a planned transition to connected and automated transport. We hope you will join us on 11 May to help officially launch CCAT.
National Maritime Museum
Tasman Light Gallery Thu 11 May 2023 12pm-3pm 2 Murray St, Sydney NSW
The first issue of CCAT’s new series ‘The Commute’ will be issued this month. The Commute is CCAT’s regular deep dive into topical issues in the field of connected and automated transport, written by CCAT members and stakeholders.
This month’s issue comes from CCAT member EastLink, and covers findings and analysis from their latest Victorian Self-Driving & Electric Car Survey. The sixth iteration of this annual survey, undertaken in late 2022, is the largest of its kind in the world.
The EastLink survey shows that over the next several years, hybrid power will continue to be a more popular power alternative than 100% electric, with 100% electric becoming more popular in the long run. Most of the newest driver assistance features are being quickly embraced by motorists, and drivers think that future cars should be more connected and come with a variety of new features and functionalities. Nevertheless, the findings show that it will take longer for completely autonomous vehicles to become widely accepted and used across a variety of formats and driving situations.
Registrations for CCAT’s International Outreach are about to close, this is your last opportunity to get involved! Join us in Europe in June and learn how global leaders are preparing their future transport systems for emerging technologies. To register, email us at info@ccat.org.au or click the button below to visit our International Outreach website.
CCAT’s Executive Director, Rahila David, and Chair, Ian Webb, headed to Perth for the latest in CCAT’s Boardroom Lunch series. Guests heard from WA Director-General of Transport, Peter Woronzow, about the Department of Transport’s priorities and challenges. The team went for a spin in RAC WA’s electric vehicle the next day with Julian Gomez, Manager, Demonstration Projects.
JOIN US
CCAT continues to engage with experts and stakeholders interested in facilitating the transition to connected and automated transport in Australia and New Zealand. If you would like to know more about CCAT, including information on how to join, you can find further details on our website or email us at info@ccat.org.au to arrange a meeting.