NTRO recently completed its Global Transport Collaboration trip to China. The delegation, comprised of industry leaders and transport professionals, explored China’s transport innovations and discussed solutions for tomorrow’s challenges. Participants engaged in key meetings with Chinese counterparts across the road, rail and ports sectors, visited innovative transport sites, shared knowledge of NTRO experience and expertise, and explored the local culture. The trip displayed China's growing influence in transport including infrastructure strategies, EV tech, port & public mobility automation, traffic management solutions, and logistics advancement. This journey showcased Australia's transport expertise on the global stage while gathering insights and strategies to bring back home for an Australian market.
"The Global Transport Collaboration (GTC) outreach undertaken annually by the National Transport Research Organisation (NTRO) travelled to China in 2024. This trip provided all the participants with insight and knowledge on the transition of the Chinese infrastructure sector that has over the past 20 years delivered a highway network that is first class, a high-speed rail system that is now the envy of the world and advancements in the ports sector that have developed the leading fully automated and zero emissions port operation in Asia."
- Michael Caltabiano, NTRO Chief Executive Officer
In Beijing, the team visited our research partner at the Research Institute of Highways (RIOH). We explored their current strategies and solutions to road challenges (which are not unlike our own in Australia). During the visit, NTRO representatives shared Australia's initiatives in road safety, including our Road Safety Intelligence Toolkit and National Road Safety Strategy. They also toured China's largest proving ground for pavement design testing. The team also visited RoadMaint's facilities, examining their survey vehicle fleet and AI-driven pavement crack assessment technology. The next stop on the trip was the China Academy of Railway Sciences (CARS). The CARS President provided a comprehensive overview of the country's premier railway research and development efforts across their impressive research and field test facilities utilised by their staff of over 9,000. Their advancement in high-speed rail is impressive with the completion of over 45,000 km of rail network connecting cities more efficiently. Amidst the technical knowledge sharing, the team observed and experienced China’s automation advances including a robo-taxi trips and automated package delivery units.
NTRO made a significant impact at the World Transport Convention in Qingdao, with Chief Executive Officer Michael Caltabiano delivering the keynote address. The convention, hosted by the China Highway and Transport Society (CHTS), brought together transport innovators from around the world. NTRO's team presented on various aspects of Australian transport solutions, including material sustainability testing, road safety, and Intelligent Transport Systems at the China-Australia Forum on Sustainable Development. The convention concluded with technical exchanges between NTRO and several Chinese based enterprises, where ideas and solutions were shared to next generation transport challenges.
After the convention, our team travelled to Qingdao, where they explored cutting-edge developments in port operations and smart-city technologies. The first stop took them to the Qingdao Port (Group) Co, Asia's first fully automated container terminal. This facility showcases impressive productivity, averaging 36.2 containers per ship per hour with a peak operating rate that exceeds 60 containers per hour. The port's multi-modal integration and automation set new standards for efficiency and sustainability in global port operations. Our team also toured the Hisense Group Smart City facility, where we examined advanced urban mobility solutions. These included intelligent dispatching systems, vehicle flow detection technology, and smart parking systems. These experiences in Qingdao offered our team a comprehensive view of China's progress in integrating technology into critical infrastructure and urban management.
Throughout this collaborative trip we stopped at multiple sites to gain perspective on their solutions to modern transport and logistic challenges. These sites included Port Longtan Authority on their port sustainability model; Modern Highway and Bridge Lab site to view their testing facility; Yangzi Expressway Control Centre, and Jiangsu Communication Holding to view the use of connected transport systems; the Sustainable Energy Vehicle Data Research Centre; and the Alibaba headquarters to view their automation warehouse in action.
Along with these sites - we also explored modern innovations in automotive manufacturers. We had the opportunity to view the upcoming features and advancements at the BYD research centre including new battery technology uses, upcoming luxury features, and a vehicle that can perform full 360 tank turns! In Shanghai, the team visited NIO to explore their EV fleet and charging infrastructure. A highlight of the visit was learning about NIO's battery-swapping technology, which allows for a complete power refresh in just five minutes at their drive-in stations. NIO discussed their strategic expansion into the charging infrastructure sector, providing us with perspectives on potential solutions for Australia's evolving EV infrastructure needs.
"The GTC was an outstanding success and the NTRO team participants have forged relationships with world leaders in the transport sector to advance the solution framework for Australia and New Zealand."
- Michael Caltabiano
NTRO is eager to apply the knowledge and innovations observed in China to enhance Australia's transport landscape. Our team returns with fresh perspectives on infrastructure development, sustainable technologies, and smart city solutions. We look forward to collaborating with our partners to implement these learnings, driving forward-thinking solutions that will shape the future of transport in Australia and beyond.