Mobility 2026, ITS Australia’s flagship mobility conference, brought together leaders from government, industry and academia to explore how technology, data and collaboration are reshaping the future of accessible and equitable transport.
With state host partner Transport for NSW, supporting partner Transmax and event partner Queensland’s University of Technology (QUT) hosting the conference at their Kelvin Grove campus, more than 50 speakers from nearly 30 different public, private and academic organisations reiterated central themes: accessibility and inclusion at last week’s event in Brisbane.
Director General for Transport for NSW, Sally Stannard, opened the conference by highlighting the critical role of Australia’s intelligent transport systems sector in advancing and delivering mobility and equity across the nation. Keynote speaker Dr Ollie Teall, Global Digital Lead for Intelligent Mobility at WSP, reinforced this messaging, emphasising that seamless mobility is not simply built – it is experienced
Sessions showcased how integrated approaches are already delivering safer, more sustainable and user-focused mobility outcomes. Advances in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and automated vehicles demonstrated significant potential to improve safety, while highlighting the importance of designing for accessibility and equity from the earliest stages of deployment.
A strong focus was placed on understanding how people move through cities. Emerging approaches to multimodal planning, active transport analysis and low-cost sensing technologies are helping agencies better understand travel behaviour, identify gaps in access and design more seamless end-to-end journeys.
Susan Harris, CEO of ITS Australia called out a common thread throughout the two-day conference.
“It was so exciting to see examples of technology being used to enhance accessibility for all. Examples such as Hailo’s real time two-way app ensuring no passenger gets left behind, Queensland’s Transport for Main Roads work to design an accessible automated bus and presentations by NEC on the use of Bluetooth Auracast and its application to enhancing public transport announcements for the hearing impaired and others.
“I’m looking forward to seeing wider deployment of these technological advancements.”
(Picture: ITS Australia)
