Emerging technologies and trends

By 2050 it is expected that Queensland’s population will have grown to 8 million people placing significant stress on our transport system. TMR is exploring opportunities to harness emerging technologies and services to improve the use of existing roads and transport systems.

New ways of transporting people and goods, such as electric vehicles, demand responsive transport, automated vehicles and drones could all contribute to a safer, greener and more efficient future.

To make the most of these new technologies and position Queensland to reduce congestion, improve reliability and achieve emissions reduction we need to respond to these changes now. Our future direction depends on the choices that we make for transport today.

Scenario planning – Time travel to 2048

To better inform decision making, TMR has worked closely with CSIRO’s Data61 to develop Time travel: Megatrends and scenarios for transport in Queensland out to 2048. This report will guide TMR’s understanding and support planning for the challenges, risks and opportunities that the future may hold for transport in Queensland. 

The report identifies:

• emerging technological, social and business trends (such as the ‘sharing economy’) that are likely to affect transport
• key uncertainties around how these trends could emerge and impact transport over time
• how Queensland communities, and those who use our transport system, could be affected by these changes in how people and goods move.

Please view the full report: Time travel: Megatrends and scenarios for transport in Queensland out to 2048

Strategic options for future planning

To better understand how future changes may impact the transport system the department commissioned KPMG to complete a strategic options assessment to estimate and analyse the expected economic and financial impact of emerging mobility technologies in South East Queensland.

These options explored potential future policy positions the government could take to respond to new technologies, such as automated electric vehicles.

This report provides the foundation for further, more detailed analysis on the strategic options identified to better understand how the benefits of emerging technologies could be maximised in Queensland.  Please read the Mobility Disruptions Strategic Options Assessment report here.

Conceptual modelling of Drone Transport Services – Scenarios for the Future

In parallel to land transport innovations, aviation transport technology is undergoing rapid transformation. If well managed, drones, formally known as Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS), may present an opportunity to realise strategic transport outcomes for Queenslanders including accessible convenient transport to efficient, reliable and productive transport for people and goods. These outcomes align with the strategic direction detailed in the Queensland Transport Strategy to enable a new generation of freight and shipping for Queenslanders and the Queensland Drones Strategy which provides a vision for Queensland to be a world-leader in drone technology and application. 

TMR engaged WSP Australia to  develop conceptual modelling of ten plausible drone transport use cases  under various future assumptions. The report provides a foundation for further policy steps to assist TMR and wider government. Please view the full report: Conceptual Modelling of Drone Transport.