Transport Infrastructure Investments Must Consider an Automate Future
“The commitment from the Government to invest $70 billion in infrastructure is great news for Australia and its economy,” said Lorraine Duffy. “In building new train lines, roads and other transport infrastructure, the government needs to ensure it provides sustainable and modern parking solutions to both enable commuters access and future proof its automotive infrastructure to accommodate new and evolving transport requirements over the coming years.”
A recent report from the Australian Energy Market Operator predicts electric vehicles will make up between 2.8 per cent and 15.1 per cent of sales by 2020. In order to reach the highs of 15.1 per cent (beyond the reduction of electric vehicle prices), Lorraine believes the availability of parking and charging stations will be essential for Australia’s transportation plans.
“Based on these numbers, if we assume we’ll achieve 5.8 per cent, then by 2020 we will see 23,000 cars every year, which will require a place to park and charge. Currently, our infrastructure and regulation doesn’t promote and encourage the adoption of electric charging parking bays.
“If the proper policies and funding are put in place for electric vehicles, the parking industry would be encouraged to build infrastructure to support our future transport network. If the Government was to take the lead on this initiative, it would have the potential to create one of the largest charging networks in the world,” added Duffy.
Everything will change with autonomous vehicles
Within the next 5 to 10 years, Australia is expected to see a boom in connected and then autonomous vehicles, as the technologies mature. It is expected to completely change the way in which we think about cars, as well as how we use them. Lorraine believes we need to start planning for this future today, rather than put the brakes on innovative thinking.
“Autonomous and connected vehicles are going to significantly impact the business model of the parking and transport industries. We need to identify and collaborate on the next generation of vehicles with the Government, so we can be prepared for shared, connected and autonomous mobility.
“This is not something that car park owners or operators should do in isolation, as this will be interlinked and aggregated across the $70 billion transport network. Over the next 10 years, the cost of development, parking technologies and infrastructures, to support a gradual transition to the various levels of automation, will need to be put in place,” said Duffy.