Trafinz Conference 2015

National and international transport experts will converge on Dunedin next week for the 2015 Trafinz conference.

Trafinz President Andy Foster says the conference will bring together some of the most accomplished and inspiring presenters in the transport industry.

“This conference will demonstrate the expectations of our transport network and how this is changing and challenging the status quo.”

From 12 to 14 August, over 180 delegates will gather at the Dunedin Centre to discuss, debate and share information and ideas. The conference theme is Transport Futures: The changing face of transport. There are four key topics: ·decision making and funding ·infrastructure and technology ·safe and liveable communities ·sustainable and resilient transport networks.

Globally, transport is facing its biggest ever challenge in terms of private vehicle design availability, fuel and intelligent use. The age of the electric vehicle and driverless cars is dawning.

Is New Zealand ready? Should it lead? Should it follow? How do we obtain greater competitiveness in a global economy for our communities and businesses?

The transport industry faces complex issues within a dynamic, lowest cost transport system, with a wide range of variables. These variables affect our travel efficiency, safety, economies, travel reliability, resilience and productivity. They have a significant impact on New Zealand’s ability to compete globally and to achieve community outcomes in a safe and sustainable transportation system in the short, medium and long term.

Elected members and decision makers face difficult transport planning and investment decisions. The conference seeks to engage politicians into this critical community conversation.

Can we afford to continue to meet the high community cost, environmental and taxation demands of our current failing transportation system and still be globally competitive?

What are the risks and opportunities for education and enforcement within this future transport system? Is land use planning an opportunity for a safe, efficient and integrated transport system that will drive prosperity for New Zealand communities and businesses? When is the right time?

New Zealand crash outcomes over the past year have resulted in a 16% increase in fatal and serious injury crashes at a huge cost to our communities and businesses due to the failure of our transport system. This outcome is the worst negative result across all our OECD country partners and shows the transportation system is failing for our communities and businesses.

Mr Foster says, “We know people will make mistakes and we also know the existing system has little tolerance for those mistakes, so the outcome is inevitable.”

Congestion results in significant productivity loss and affects economic performance here and overseas.

International research shows congestion and crash risk on motorways increases crash rates by 100%.

However, the same congestion on urban roads reduces injury crashes by 50%.

At the conference, delegates will be able to engage with leading experts from local government and central government to identify what critical changes are needed and when we critically need them. The aim is for the industry to work in partnership towards creating the safe and efficient transportation system for New Zealand that our communities need to be competitive and prosper in a global economy.

To view the conference programme visit www.trafinz.org.nz/conference/.

ENDS