A major event on the ITS New Zealand calendar this year has been the very successful ITS Summit 2012 centred on the significant contribution that ITS and its applications make in disaster recovery and in improving the safety efficiency and convenience of all modes of travel. The event was held in two centres beginning with the ITS Forum in Wellington featuring international and national speakers. It was opened by the Hon Simon Bridges Associate Minister for Transport who welcomed the range of international delegates and their contribution to the role and benefits of intelligent transport systems in assisting disaster recovery.
A range of international speakers included the President of ITS Japan and Secretary General of ITS Asia Pacific Mr Hajime Amano who spoke of the road to recovery following the major earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
Other presentations included ITS in crisis management ITS applications for safety and the ITS role following the damaging Christchurch earthquakes of September 2010 and February 2011. The roundtable discussions centred on the application of ITS in being better prepared and improving disaster emergency response operations.
The second day was the Smarter Transport Safety Summit held in Auckland centred on the deployment needs and applications of smart technology in transport safety. For the second consecutive year the Hon. Maurice Williamson attended the summit and supplied a source of passion and motivation to all present towards new and emerging technologies. He opened the day by presenting a well-received and insightful presentation about the needs and benefits of tailoring information to the intended recipient and the challenges of new and emerging technologies.
A particular highlight was a video presentation by Dr Hermann Meyer CEO of ERTICO describing their recent progress and innovations with ITS in advancing transport safety traveller information and network efficiency. Other international speakers included Professor Jason Chang from ITS Taiwan who spoke on the ITS role in assisting vulnerable users and public transport. Mr Akatsuka of ITS Japan and Ms Susan Harris of ITS Australia gave presentations highlighting their experience with ITS transport safety applications.
The New Zealand presentations featured innovative safety applications within the NZ ITS Industry and recent contributions to NZ’s continued growth in this sector. These included NZ’s National Traffic Management System the most recent SUNA Live Traffic Update services the next generation of IP based Communications Services innovations in Tunnel Safety Management and application of the Smart Safety Tidal Flow Barrier on Auckland’s Harbour Bridge.
The occasion was a significant success in widening awareness of the use and application of technologies that improve the safety security and efficiency of all of the surface transportation system.
Hermann Meyer presentation
Link to original Article
http://www.ertico.com/its-new-zealand-summit-2012-report-by-president-peter-mccombs/
Original Publication Date: Mon 03 Sep 2012
