We are progressing with great momentum towards the National Future Transport Summit in 2025, with meetings of both our Steering Committee and new Policy Sub-Committee this month. These government and industry groups are providing leadership and advice on the direction of the Summit, and I am grateful for the commitment shown by all members of these groups.
I am hearing a lot of discussion in the transport sector at the moment about community acceptance of new transport technologies. This is an important theme being considered in the Summit. While technologies like automated road vehicles might continue to advance, supported by necessary regulatory and infrastructure changes to aid deployment, it is important to also recognise the role that the community plays in the deployment of new technologies. Without acceptance by the community (which might include potential users, those interacting in the same environments, and other impacted segments of society) deployment of this technology will be delayed. If we expect these technologies to provide safety and other benefits to Australians, then it is important to both address the challenges of the technology itself as well as its broader impacts on issues important to the community, such as privacy, accessibility and workforce implications.
Next month we will hold CCAT’s AGM and final Board meeting for the year. I encourage all members to attend the AGM – further information is included in this newsletter.
Finally, this will be my last Executive Director's message before I start a period of parental leave. I look back proudly on my last two years with CCAT, as we have come a long way from new organisation to established sector voice. I would like to thank the many individuals I have met over this time for your enthusiasm and support for CCAT, and for making the journey so enjoyable as well as successful.
I am pleased to share that CCAT will be joined by our Acting Executive Director, Brook Hall, from next month. Brook brings a wealth of experience to the role, leading large transport projects and reforms in areas including future vehicles and sustainable transport. We are lucky to have Brook on board, and I trust you will welcome him into the role as he progresses our major projects including the National Future Transport Summit in the next year.
Rahila David
Executive Director, CCAT
CCAT News
Appointment of Acting Executive Director
CCAT is pleased to welcome Brook Hall as Acting Executive Director from November. Mr Hall steps in for Rahila David, as she and her partner welcome their first child. With 20 years of experience across state and national government bodies, Brook is well positioned to lead CCAT in its mission to advance connected and automated transport within Australia and New Zealand.
CCAT’s next Annual General Meeting will be held on 27 November in Perth and online. Members will shortly receive a notification of the meeting and the opening of nominations for election to the Board. We encourage our members to consider the many diverse and expert leaders within their organisations when considering nominating.
National Future Transport Summit
Preparations for the National Future Transport Summit have kept CCAT busy this month. Working collaboratively with our Primary Research Partner, the National Transport Research Organisation (NTRO), work is progressing well to prepare material for a public consultation process next year. The Policy Sub-Committee met for the first time in October and provided valuable expert feedback on key research issues to inform the consultation.
Smart City Connect event registration
CCAT is proud to participate in ‘Smart City Connect: Jobs & Skills for Mobility Enabled Communities’ on Thursday 28 November at Edith Cowan University. The event is being hosted by the City of Joondalup and NTRO, and is sponsored by Edith Cowan University. This event is the third in the series of Smart City Connect events, each focusing on a different topic relevant to the opportunities of technology, innovation and resilience in Australian cities and communities. Among many experts, attendees will hear from CCAT Chair, Ian Webb, on the transition to connected and automated transport and the potential outcomes for communities.
CCAT member Airservices Australia has signed a memorandum of understanding with global aerospace manufacturer Wisk Aero to help both organisations gain insights into the future airspace management needs of advanced air mobility operations. This partnership will help pave the way for the safe utilisation of next generation aviation technologies, such as air taxis.
Arc Infrastructure announces the successful mainline trial of the Hiivr Rail autonomous wagon. Taking place in Western Australia the trials went on for 2 days completing numerous successful tests on the rail network between Kenwick and Forrestfield.
Australian regulators urged to recognise safety of automated vehicles
In an Australian Financial Review opinion piece, Marion Terrill, a leading industry expert urges the adoption of regulations for automated vehicle technology that will enable Australia to catch up with the rest of the world. With evidence that technology makes transport safer and more efficient, the article highlights that the time is now to support deployment of automated vehicles and alleviate any fears that these vehicles are a risk compared to human drivers. 
A recent study undertaken by global data solutions company J. D. Power finds that those who have observed or experienced self-driving taxis are significantly more confident in the technology than those who have not. The study highlights that safety is still the main consumer concern and that focus should be on supporting both passengers and consumers more generally to feel comfortable with automated vehicles.
As part of its 2024 horizon scanning, the UK Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology has published a report on automated transport. With automated vehicles in trial and development stages, the report considers the opportunities and challenges of them being on UK roads. Opportunities include safety benefits, accessibility job creation and vehicle energy efficiency, while potential challenges include a risk of greater emissions, difficulties in determining liability, privacy and cybersecurity.
Last mile deliveries with both drones and curb-side robots
Serve Robotics and Wing are partnering to test a combined robot-and-drone delivery service in Dallas, Texas. The system will use sidewalk robots to transport orders from restaurants to a central point, where drones will collect and deliver to customers up to six miles away. 
US port workers on strike amidst concerns of port automation
Several ports across the east and gulf coasts have stopped operations as workers strike over wages and technology that could replace jobs. Negotiations are still ongoing and include consideration of protections for automation-related job losses, specifically for crane operators and truck drivers. 
A recent study by the Chamber of Progress, a US trade association focused on technology, projects that the deployment of automated vehicles in the US could create up to half a million jobs over the next 15 years. It found that for every 1000 automated vehicles produced per year, approximately 190 workers will be needed for manufacturing and servicing including engineers, data scientists, designers, and policy experts. 
We continue 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.
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