Intelligent systems and decision engines

This technology capability is critical to supporting customers, services, vehicles and networks. It involves ingesting data from intelligent sensors into intelligent systems and decision engines that use artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to provide immediate, targeted and actionable insights, to optimise service delivery and network management.

A major uplift in the Intelligent Congestion Management Program (ICMP) and operational systems will better manage the network and react to incidents before their impact spreads, minimising inconvenience and disruption for customers. The ICMP will integrate related systems and data analytics into an operations platform that coordinates all modes and provides accurate real-time information to customers.

Transport will expand traffic signal priority for public transport, freight and emergency vehicles using the SCATS and PTIPS systems, to ensure that these systems are prepared for connected and automated vehicles. As part of this expansion, we will also trial Bluetooth and other sensors on the road network, using AI analytics to optimise road management and enhance decision making capability.

Transport will also explore more opportunities with smart motorways to use real-time information and integrated smart traffic management systems to smooth traffic, ease congestion, manage incidents and improve road safety.

In the freight sector, we will develop a business case and funding pathway for a Freight Community System that will follow the container supply chain, including from port to intermodal terminals and distribution centres and ultimately back to port. This will explore ways to integrate data and systems across the supply chain to improve the efficiency and quality of information transfer and to better understand the touchpoints and movement of goods throughout the supply chain.

This will enable supply chain participants and government to see and exchange reliable information quickly and easily for better network management, reduced administrative costs, a more efficient supply chain and time and cost savings for customers

Port and rail management systems will also be digitised to improve efficiency and encourage freight to be moved by rail where viable.

As part of the More Trains, More Services program, the Digital Systems Program replaces trackside signalling with the latest train control technology, implements automatic train operation to help drivers to reduce journey times and introduces a traffic management system to help train services to recover quickly from disruption. These programs integrate with the:

  • Rail Timetable Solution which delivers efficiencies and cost savings in rail timetable production and provide data to the Digital Systems Program,
  • Rail Prioritisation System which enables improved prioritisation of passenger and freight rail movements to reduce delays, and
  • Technology Enabled Workforce (Train Crew) program, to provide frontline crew with real-time information about service performance, disruptions and workforce planning.