Australia’s bid to host the 35th World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems, 2029
Australia, a dream tourist destination and a respected global ITS leader with its burgeoning innovation hub, robust smart city initiatives, and diverse geographic challenges – currently delivering the largest ever transport infrastructure program in our nation’s history.
Brisbane, a vibrant, friendly, lifestyle city bathed in sunshine and in the heart of Australia’s premier tourist region, home to four universities and Australia’s largest medical research centre and delivering transformative transport reforms ahead the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
We invite you to choose Brisbane, Australia, as the host of the 2029 World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems.
THEME
Smart Transport for a Sustainable Future
In Brisbane, the global ITS community will gather to listen, learn and share knowledge in the pursuit of our shared goal to deliver smart transport for a sustainable future.
We will collaborate – harnessing the ingenuity of our industries best minds to accelerate momentum to a sustainable transport future.
Australia’s major transport infrastructure investment and innovation
Over the next four years Australia will see the largest transport infrastructure program ever, totalling $41.4 billion dollars. These projects are designed to enhance connectivity, efficiency, and sustainability across the nation. Notable initiatives include:
West Connex, Sydney
Melbourne Metro Tunnel
Cross River Rail, Brisbane
Inland Rail
Australia has deployed ITS innovations of global significance
Smart ticketing
Sophisticated ticketing solutions enabling contactless payment are being rolled out across Australia, delivering more convenience and flexibility for customers.
Connected and automated vehicles
Underpinned by Australia’s largest cooperative ITS trial in Queensland, we’re preparing our road networks for new vehicle technologies to enhance safety, mobility and sustainability.
Smart motorways and arterials
Across our capital cities, integrated technologies are being deployed to enable proactive, real-time management of motorways networks, improving safety and efficiency. Australia is also a leader in intelligent arterial traffic control systems to optimise complex traffic flows.
Remote ITS
Australia’s vast geography requires an expansive road network to connect communities. Regional and remote ITS solutions are supporting real-time management of critical regional roads ensuring safety during disruptive weather events such as floods and fires.
Zero emission transport
Australia is progressing the transitioning towards zero emission transport. Electric vehicle fast charging stations are being delivered near major highways and amenities in our cities as well as across essential connectors linking metropolitan, regional and rural areas.
ITS testbeds
Australia is home to world-class testbeds that enable safe proving grounds for ITS research and development. These include the Australian Integrated Multimodal EcoSystem (AIMES) in Melbourne, the Transport for NSW Future Mobility Testing and Research Centre, and the RACQ Mobility Centre in Queensland.
City: Brisbane
Proposed Host City: Brisbane
Brisbane is Australia’s third largest and fastest growing city, is a vibrant urban centre with arts, cultural, sporting and dining offerings that compete with the best global cities.
Brisbane is Australia’s powerhouse city and capital of Queensland with a worldwide reputation as a leader in science and technology and host city of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Offering sun-filled days, Brisbane is the gateway to some of Australia’s most iconic tourist destinations such as the Great Barrier Reef and tropical Far North Queensland.
Asia Pacific hub
Brisbane is the Asia Pacific hub for world leading science, medicine and technology industries, and is the finance, business and investment capital of Queensland. The City’s location on Australia’s east coast provides direct access to the Asia Pacific region and easy connectivity to other Australian cities and regions.
Air access
Brisbane’s award-winning airport and superior infrastructure provide a smooth and warm welcome to Brisbane for visiting delegates. Brisbane’s International Terminal is serviced by 23 international carriers, offering over 300 direct flights to 34 international destinations each week. Operating 24 hours a day, Brisbane Airport is just a 20 minute drive from the city and Convention Centre.
Australia’s most awarded convention centre
BCEC has been named the World’s Best Convention Centre by the International Association of Congress Centres. Host venue for the G20 Summit, acknowledged as the ‘Best Ever’, BCEC is Australia’s most flexible meetings venue offering unprecedented choice with an impressive portfolio of meeting rooms and event spaces, with capacity for plenary sessions of up to 8,000.
Brisbane’s experience
Brisbane has a successful track record for hosting hundreds of major and challenging events including one of the world’s largest conventions, Rotary International Convention for 15,000 delegates, the 2014 G20 Leaders’ Summit for 7,000 and most recently the International Aids Society Conference on HIV Science 2023 for 5,000.
Outstanding international attractions
Brisbane’s ideal location as the capital of Australia’s premier tourist region presents the ideal opportunity for delegates to enjoy a microcosm of Australia’s iconic experiences. World heritage listed rainforests, amazing beaches, islands, wineries and the internationally famous Australia Zoo – home of the Crocodile Hunter – are all easily accessible within an hour of the city. You can even do day trips to the Great Barrier Reef from Brisbane.
An Olympic scale opportunity
As the host city of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic games, Brisbane will embrace unique opportunities to enhance a transport system that matches the world’s best.
Specialized Olympic lanes, enhancements to public transportation, and innovative crowd management strategies will be implemented to facilitate seamless movement.
Hosting the Games offers an opportunity to create a lasting legacy of improved transportation networks, contributing to the overall urban development and long-term accessibility of the region.
Financial feasibility and support
Australia’s bid is strongly supported by state and local government. Should Brisbane be selected as host for the ITS World Congress, the Congress will be supported by a substantial financial and in-kind support package, designed maximise return and support the delivery of an outstanding World Congress.
Unique convention precinct
Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) is ideally located in the unique riverside cultural and lifestyle precinct at South Bank. Home to Australia’s newest and largest Gallery of Modern Art, more than 100 cafes and restaurants and stylish shops, South Bank is an inner-city oasis with green spaces, riverfront parkland, rainforest pockets and Australia’s only city-based sand and swimming beach – complete with life guards!
Affordable and accessible accommodation
There are more than 260 hotels and over 20,000 accommodation rooms in Brisbane. A 305 room hotel is directly linked to the Centre and a 160 room hotel is located adjacent to the Centre, while 48 of the 230 hotels are within 2km or short walking distance of the Centre. Hotels are very affordable by world standards and range from five star to serviced apartments and budget type accommodation.
Value for money
Brisbane offers outstanding value for money for delegates and organisers alike. In comparison with Sydney and Melbourne we still offer cheaper accommodation rates, food and drinks; the price of a coffee or a beer is also cheaper. For organisers Brisbane offers more affordable services including printers, satchels and website retailers and service providers.
Value adds for delegates
Brisbane has an efficient and accessible transport network, and the Centre is central to a number of major transport hubs. The city of Brisbane can offer your delegates discounted Airtrain tickets and free CityHopper ferries and CityLoop buses. Delegates also have free access to galleries and museums within the convention precinct of South Bank.
Host: ITS Australia
Host organisation
Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) Australia is the peak body for advanced transport technology in Australia. Formed in 1992, we have partnered with government, industry, and academia to shape future transport for 30 years. Australia is a global leader in intelligent transport, and ITS Australia works on behalf of more than 145 member organisations to promote the development and deployment of technologies that enable all Australians to move more safely, efficiently, and sustainably through the nation’s transport networks.
Industry support
ITS Australia has strong industry support with around 150 member organisations, representing a diverse range of industries and expertise across the transport spectrum.
Our Diverse Network
Our broad and growing stakeholder mix comprises players large and small across various industries working in or connected to the ITS space. Our membership base ranges from single-person start-ups and small-to-medium enterprises to high-profile national and international brands. We are proud of our role as a connector – creating opportunities for industry to connect with each other, with academia, and with all levels of government.
Some of the sectors we represent:
- Automotive
- Mobility
- Government
- Insurance
- Telecommunications
- Financial Services
- Academic Institutions
- Data Services
- Software Development | Engineering
- Technology
- Manufacturing
- Hardware development
- Consultancy
- Asset Management
An Experienced Event Host
We are renowned for developing and delivering diverse, high-quality, successful events attracting impressive speakers and continually drawing large audiences from home and abroad.
Our flagship 3-day ITS Australia Summit brings the who’s who of our industry together, raising the profile of the ITS sector amongst aligned industries and is a focal point for international engagement.
Critically, our events provide the platform for face-to-face networking – at ITS Australia events, deals get done, new partnerships are formed, and outcomes are achieved.
International Influence
We are an established ITS Leader on a global scale and are highly respected by ITS leaders in the Asia Pacific, Europe, and North America. Our ability to influence and be at the table for critical international discussions has come through our robust relationships with an engaged member base and a willingness to do the hard work.
We are active contributors to both the ITS Asia Pacific Forum and annual World Congress, participating on advisory boards, and leading strong delegations to both forums, supporting a vibrant international ITS Community.
Advocacy and Policy Influence
Our connections and influence have supported our active and expanding role in research and policy development to drive forward ground-breaking research projects across the breadth of ITS issues, including mobility, connected transport technologies, and community transport services.
We create opportunities for our members to connect with ministers and senior officials from both state and federal governments – giving them a seat at the table with our nation’s leading policymakers.
