The House of Representatives Transport and Regional Services Committee will hold a public hearing this Wednesday, 25 September to take evidence from the Department of Transport and Regional Services concerning intelligent transport systems (ITS).

ITS are transport systems that use advanced communication and information technology to enhance efficiency and safety. They do this by informing drivers and transport systems users about system conditions, monitoring and controlling traffic flow, and providing more efficient interaction between different types of transport.

The House Transport Committee is inquiring into the potential to use variable speed systems to improve the safety and efficiency of road systems and increase the useful life of transport infrastructure.

In particular, the Committee has been asked to examine the potential to apply variable speed limits on the F3 Freeway and the Hume Highway between Sydney and Canberra as case studies on the effectiveness of intelligent transport systems

The Committee is also interested in broader ITS issues, including national policy frameworks, co-operation between jurisdictions and commercialisation of Australian-developed ITS technology.

Paul Neville, House Transport Committee Chair, telephone (07) 41520744 (Bundaberg electorate office) or (02) 6277 4940 (Parliament House office)