Smarter transport

Did you know...

• the impact of congestion in Perth is expected to get worse; Infrastructure Australia estimates the cost of congestion will more than double by the year 2031 to $3.6 billion each year;
• approximately 30% of West Australians don’t have a driver’s licence;
• Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), like vehicle sensors, cameras and driver alerts, are effective at preventing crashes; a real-world evaluation of autonomous emergency braking found an 8% reduction in road fatalities; and
• using technology to create a smarter transport system and preparing for a safe transition to driverless vehicles is essential for ensuring the future liveability of WA.

Making our transport system work harder and smarter

We can’t meet all transport needs and tackle Perth's congestion challenge by expanding the road network; there simply isn’t space to keep widening roads indefinitely to cater for a booming population. Consequently, we need to make better use of the infrastructure we already have by using new and emerging technology.

Smart transport solutions can be integrated into road, parking and community infrastructure, as well as vehicles and public transport networks to deliver a more efficient and safer transport system.

In 2012, RAC initiated a two year Traffic Signal Safety and Efficiency Project in partnership with the State Government. The project demonstrated the importance of technology for improving traffic signals by reducing queuing and delays and improving journey times.

Traffic Signal Safety and Efficiency Project (PDF 5.3MB)

Harnessing connected and automated vehicle technologies

The RAC Intellibus® trial was Australia’s first automated vehicle trial, launching in 2016 putting WA at the forefront of the emerging technology. The award-winning RAC Intellibus® was Australia’s first and longest-running trial of a driverless vehicle, ending in 2023 after more than 38,000km of travel and carrying over 28,000 passengers in Perth and regional WA. The trial was successful in proving driverless travel can be safe, efficient and accessible for the entire community.

Data and privacy considerations

Automated vehicles and smart technologies will generate a lot more data than current vehicles and infrastructure and has the potential to enable a safer and more efficient transport system.

While this data is invaluable in supporting evidence-based policy, strategic planning and investment decision-making, it presents privacy challenges regarding the collection, storage and use of information that requires careful management. RAC supports the investigation of appropriate restrictions on private industry around the use, storage and sharing of personal and sensitive information collected by transport technologies.