The 2025 NTRO International Technical Conference in Melbourne has brought together more than 50 speakers and more than 200 attendees for a wealth of sessions and information exploring the transport revolution and what the future of mobility looks like – in Australia and NZ, and also worldwide.
Keynote speakers on Day 1 included GT Communications founder and social and political commentator Gemma Tognini, challenging the room about innovation. The new Director General of the International Road Federation Gonzalo Alcaraz spoke about the concepts re-shaping mobility worldwide, while TRL Chief Customer Officer Jo Evans provided the UK experience on transport networks as they react to shifts such as hybrid working and extreme climate events.
Other keynote speakers included Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure Hon Gabrielle Williams MP, National Transport Commission CEO Michael Hopkins, Road Engineering Association of Asia and Australasia President Dr Sung-Hwan Kim and Dr Jijun Wang speaking on China’s high-speed rail infrastructure.
Asset management and transport infrastructure decarbonisation were among the afternoon stream sessions.
Not surprisingly, road safety was also a major discussion point.
Two fantastic sessions on road safety were held – one on road safety specifically and other on smarter, safer infrastructure.
On the eve of Australia’s National Road Safety Week, Peter Frazer OAM gave an emotional presentation, which in part touched on the life of his daughter Sarah – killed in an horrific roadside crash in 2012 – and the urgent action needed now to save lives on our roads.
David McTiernan from NTRO spoke on the Road Safety Revolution that we have launched to change the paradigm around road safety. NTRO’s Melanie Venter gave insight into how Australia is at a critical point in our road safety history, and what we can learn from other nations.
ITS India President Akhilesh Srivastava spoke about how Intelligent Transport Systems in India are contributing to safer, smarter outcomes, while ITS Australia Chief Executive Officer Susan Harris also presented.
It was also fantastic to welcome Charity Nankunda, a PhD researcher based in the UK but from Uganda, discussing data needs and challenges for road crash valuation in low-income countries, using her homeland as a case study.
Erik Van Vulpen, La Trobe University's deputy director of the Centre for Technology Infusion, presented on a Connected Motorcycle Rider Project.
The asset management session showcased new strategies and tools transforming Australia and New Zealand's road networks. NTRO's Dr Clarissa Han and Richard Wix revealed findings from a PIARC project where AI adoption excels in infrastructure inspection and road safety among others.
NZTA's Rochelle Leach spoke on Consistent Structured Asset Management Information as well as impressive AI applications in fault identification, while NTRO's Georgia O’Connor and Sam Afkar highlighted how advanced survey vehicles like NTRO's iPAVE are revolutionising data collection - enabling road agencies to address how to prepare for climate impacts on our roads.
The decarbonisation session featured speakers including COLAS Australia’s Trevor Distin, Hiway’s Allen Browne and president of the Shandong Hi-Speed Group Qifeng Wang.
Day 2 featured Secretary of Victoria's Department of Transport and Planning Jeroen Weimar, Australian Rail Track Corporation CEO Wayne Johnson and NZTA's National Manager Maintenance & Operations Andrew Clark.
A highlight of the day was a full house for a presentation by Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads Director General Sally Stannard focusing on Queensland, the unique climatic challenges facing roads in the State, and delivering the huge pipeline of transport infrastructure for Brisbane's 2032 Olympic Games.
In the mobility innovation in action session, Japanese innovators TIER IV showcased their open-source autonomous driving platform powering Japan's 'Road to L4 program' - a model for regional autonomous transportation solutions - presented by Johnny Wang.
Anthony Headlam, CEO and co-founder of NewVolt, outlined the critical pathway to electric trucks for decarbonising Australia's road transport, highlighting development of a national fast charging network.
Centre for Connected and Automated Transport Executive Director Brook Hall demonstrated practical applications of future thinking, where industry, academia, and government collaboration is creating a national plan for connected and automated vehicles.
Day 3 of the Conference featured a workshop led by IRF Director General Gonzalo Alcaraz on Enabling Smart Mobility - The Role of Physical and Digital Infrastructure.
