A future technology testbed is a facility or network of facilities designed to test and develop new mobility technologies, systems, and services. The aim of these testbeds is to accelerate the development and adoption of sustainable and intelligent mobility solutions that can improve the efficiency, safety, and environmental performance of transportation systems. Future technology testbeds typically provide a controlled environment for testing new technologies, such as connected and autonomous vehicles, smart infrastructure, and mobility-as-a-service platforms, as well as enabling collaboration between researchers, industry partners, and government agencies to share knowledge, data, and resources. By creating a platform for innovation and experimentation, future mobility testbeds aim to address the complex challenges facing transportation systems and to support the transition towards a more sustainable and efficient mobility future.

There are a range of test beds forming and in development in Australia, from offroad high speed test tracks to urban real world environments to assist in the development and deployment of CAVs.   This session will consider the needs for test beds in Australia, the need for cooperation and collaboration locally and globally including consideration of an approach taken in Ontario, Canada with a range of approaches, challenges and lessons learnt in developing on “smart mobility living labs”

The panel of speakers are outlined below 

Dr Megan Sharkey Acting Director Future Moblity at TfNSW, talking about needs for NSW and nationally, and their experience to date in development of the Future Mobility Test and Research Centre at Cudal

Professor Majid Sarvi Program Director and Director of AIMES, University of Melbourne, outlining lessons learnt in development of AIMES

Scott Benjamin from WSP Australia will moderate, using his insight in the master plan and development of Future Technology test tracks in Australia and involvement as a foundation partner in AIMES and wider needs for these facilities in the future.