2017-06-06 - S&O Agenda Attachment 1 to Item 1 - Noosa Transport Strategy 2017-2027

     Innovation

     Transport and transport services around the world are rapidly evolving. Noosa Council has a history
     of being innovative and embracing new ideas and technologies. Council aims to continue to embrace
     innovative transport solutions and keep a watching brief on smart technology and transport research to
     address our transport service and infrastructure needs.

     Innovations have the potential to significantly change the way we get from A to B. Below are just a few
     examples of the future in transport.

         •   Autonomous vehicles are expected to be a reality with car manufacturers and technology
             companies anticipating that fully autonomous vehicles will become available for purchase by
             2020 (NRMA, 2016). The potential benefits of autonomous vehicles include:

             - Improved road safety through eliminating human error which accounts for 90% of car
               accidents in the United States.

             - Reduced congestion through vehicle to vehicle communication.

             - Parking efficiencies with autonomous vehicles dropping off passengers and proceeding to
               remote parking locations.

             - Greater mobility for those people unable to drive a car (older people, children etc.).

         •   The Western Australian government is trailing a driverless electric shuttle bus in Perth. The tourist
             shuttle will transport up to 15 passengers and has a maximum speed of 45km/hr. The driverless
             bus is fitted with multi-sensor technology that allows it to map the environment, detect obstacles
             on the road and interpret traffic signs

         •   Data sensors in the road network which allow vehicles to communicate and interact, locate
             available parking spaces, respond to traffic congestion, and even turn on and off street lighting.

         •   Mobile phone apps which provide updates regarding traffic congestion, Park-and-Ride locations,
             parking availability etc.

         •   Smart bicycles that can pair with a smart phone to provide the cyclist with directions, alert cyclists
             to passing cars and even act as a charging dock for USB devices.

         •   Transportation as a Service (TaaS) or Mobility as a Service (MaaS) – Similar to a mobile phone
             plan or music subscription, TaaS/MasS takes a value based approach to understanding individual
             lifestyle needs and then designs personalised products and transport services. It brings every
             kind of transport option together into a single intuitive mobile app which seamlessly combines all
             transport options from various providers.




20