The strategy will guide rollout of new road transport technologies in Australia to help make road transport safer, more productive, sustainable and accessible.
The future of transport is cleaner, connected and automated. Advances in sensor technology, automation, artificial intelligence, connectivity and data processing and analysis are rapidly changing the vehicles we drive and how we drive them.
In October 2024, Australia’s Infrastructure and Transport Ministers agreed the National Road Transport Technology Strategy and 2024-27 National Connected and Automated Vehicle Action Plan, which were jointly developed by the Commonwealth, states and territories, and transport agencies.
The strategy and action plan recognise the growing role of these technologies in our road transport system, and the need for them to be rolled out in a nationally-harmonised, safe and responsible way. A nationally-harmonised approach will help governments and industry make investment decisions, and facilitate the smooth operation of technologies across state and territory borders. Through the strategy and action plan, governments are working together to maximise the benefits and manage the risks of technological advancements for road vehicles, infrastructure and road management systems.
The strategy sets out the vision for national road transport technology deployment to help make road transport safer, more productive, sustainable and accessible. It:
- outlines the policy leadership, regulatory stewardship and targeted investment roles of governments, and
- provides principles to guide government action in supporting technology deployment.
It will be implemented by 4-year rolling action plans with the 2024-27 action plan being the first. The action plan’s priorities are vehicle automation and connectivity, including cooperative intelligent transport systems (C-ITS) – which enables communication between vehicles, infrastructure, data management systems and other road users.
The action plan will continue work underway to develop a national automated vehicle regulatory framework, and build on the nationally agreed Principles for a National Approach to C-ITS in Australia to develop a national C-ITS roadmap. It will also consider the treatment of connected and automated vehicles under relevant laws, data sharing, workforce impacts, supporting infrastructure, accessibility of vehicle technologies, and sustainability impacts.
The strategy and action plan replace the National Policy Framework for Land Transport Technology and its action plans.
Find out more
- Read the Minister’s media release