Future Transport Technology Roadmap

Customers across regional NSW and in outer metropolitan areas have different transport needs, preferences and choices to those in metropolitan areas. Acknowledging there are both challenges and opportunities in regional areas, customers will see a major technology uplift that transforms their mobility, with the ability to more easily drive and plan, book, pay and track a wide range of services in real time, for better convenience and reliability.

Using Transport Connected Bus technologies, customers will be able to access real-time information on where their service is and when their next service connects. We will also investigate the rollout of Opal Contactless ticketing to provide convenient frictionless ticketing on all public transport across NSW, with cash and paper tickets maintained where needed.

We are also expecting to trial further uses of automated vehicles in regional cities with more mobility technologies tested and deployed in regional areas first, including at our new Future Mobility Test Centre at Cudal, in Central Western NSW. Automated vehicles are expected to improve safety, increase mobility options and help stimulate the local economy by attracting industry to the regions.

We will continue rollout of additional electric vehicle fast chargers in regional cities to help drivers of electric cars and vans reach more parts of NSW, and we are planning the transition to clean and quiet zero emissions electric buses in regional cities.

We will enable regional and outer metropolitan smart cities, with a range of sensor technologies that provide real-time transport and travel information and alerts about road incidents. This data provides real-time customer information and can also be used to prioritise walking and cycling and inform place making decisions.

To improve the customer experience, we will investigate ways to improve WiFi digital connectivity at key transport hubs and on board major rail services, so that customers can stay informed and connected while they travel. This will support real-time information and efficient mobility along with the information and payment system improvements, to help make public transport a more attractive option.

We will explore ways to expand rail service and safety information for front line staff, using multiple data sources to proactively manage customer information, network reliability and safety benefits.

We will also support local partnerships with regional businesses, universities and transport innovation partners, where we can support local skills and business development opportunities and attract investment to regional communities.

Transport will deliver and investigate the following programs for regional and outer metropolitan customers:

Key to priority alignment

Mobility as a Service	Connected and automated vehicles	Zero emissions vehicles
Regional mobility	Freight efficiency	Sensors and intelligent systems

 

Ref	Regional and outer metropolitan technology programs	Priority alignment
We will deliver
T048	Transport Connected Buses Vehicle tracking and automatic passenger counting technology to give regional customers the real-time information needed to make informed travel choices, while providing planners and bus operators with the right information to improve services.
T049	Expanding automated vehicle capacity for the regions More trials of automated vehicles in regional cities and a new Future Mobility Test Centre at Cudal, to support faster adoption of automated technologies in the regions. Automated vehicles are expected to improve safety, increase mobility options and help stimulate the local economy by attracting industry to the regions.
T050	Electric vehicle charging stations Installing a network of electric vehicle charging stations in regional NSW to enable people to reliably travel to Broken Hill, Moree and Bourke, and to connect to major routes in Queensland and South Australia. This program is being delivered in collaboration with the NRMA.
T051	Technology to create smart regional cities An uplift to the technology capability in regional and outer metropolitan cities to transform how transport is provided, including trials of AI cameras, Bluetooth sensors, support for CAV trials and video analytics to provide real-time information and alerts about road incidents. This data can also be used to prioritise active transport and inform place making decisions.
T052	Regional customer digital ticketing and booking solution Integrate customer information and ticket booking system for regional trains and coaches to create a seamless online experience and expand digital ticketing to regional buses . This will also help us improve our service delivery by providing a complete view of customer journey patterns.
We will also investigate
T053	Safety information for front line rail staff Strengthening our ability to ensure the safety of customers and workers by digitising safety critical information, which will make it easier and faster to share information between railway operators and maintainers.
T054	Connected transport hubs Fast Wi-Fi at select transport hubs to keep customers connected when interchanging between modes and services.
T055	On-board connectivity on regional transport services Rollout of expanded infrastructure to enable a high-performance media streaming capability for customers taking regional and intercity services.
T056	Zero emissions buses in the regions for sustainability Identifying pathways to transition our regional fleet to zero emissions buses, using technologies like electric and hydrogen vehicles.
T057	Regional rail operational systems update to improve service delivery Updating and integrating operational systems to let customers plan, book and pay for regional rail services with more information about bus and rail services and service delays, and options to provide feedback, to help customers transferring between modes.

Note: Project information provided can be subject to change, particularly for projects still in investigation.

Table 6.3 – Future technology programs for regional and outer metropolitan NSW

Collectively, the delivery of, and investigation into, these programs will provide customers in regional and outer metropolitan areas with a significant improvement in service information, convenience, reliability and personalisation of services.