Australian governments have agreed the National Road Transport Technology Strategy and 2024-27 National Connected and Automated Vehicle (CAV) Action Plan through the Infrastructure and Transport Ministers’ Meeting (ITMM).
The Strategy and Action Plan support nationally harmonised, safe and responsible adoption of road transport technologies. Together, they guide coordinated Commonwealth, state and territory government work to prepare for CAVs and related future mobility technologies and services, so that road users across Australia can benefit from them while their risks are managed.
The Strategy sets out ITMM’s vision for a safer, more efficient, productive, sustainable and accessible transport system through adoption of new technologies. It outlines the policy leadership, regulatory stewardship and targeted investment roles of governments, and provides a set of nine principles to guide government action in supporting technology rollouts.
The Action Plan is refreshed every four years and sets out national short- to medium-term priority actions. The 2024-27 Action Plan focuses on three workstreams:
- Vehicle automation – continuing work underway to develop the national regulatory framework for automated vehicles and related matters.
- Vehicle connectivity – developing a national C-ITS roadmap building on the nationally agreed Principles for a National Approach to Co-operative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS) in Australia, harmonising with international standards for vehicle connectivity, and examining eCall considerations for Australia.
- Cross-cutting actions supporting CAVs – considering the treatment of connected and automated vehicles under relevant laws, data sharing, workforce impacts, supporting infrastructure, accessibility of vehicle technologies, and sustainability impacts.
Progress on implementing the Action Plan will be reported annually. The Annual Progress Reports for the 2024-27 Action Plan can be accessed below:
As technology continues to evolve, the Strategy and future action plans will support deployment and uptake of new technologies as they emerge.
National Policy Framework for Land Transport Technology and associated Action Plans
The Strategy replaces its predecessor, the National Policy Framework for Land Transport Technology. The 2024-27 Action Plan builds on the two previous action plans developed under the National Policy Framework – the National Land Transport Technology Action Plan 2020-2023 and National Land Transport Technology Action Plan 2016-2019.
The Annual Progress Review reports for the 2020-2023 Action Plan can be accessed below:
- Annual Review as at December 2023—National Land Transport Technology Action Plan 2020–23
- Annual Review as at December 2022—National Land Transport Technology Action Plan 2020–23
- Annual Review as at December 2021—National Land Transport Technology Action Plan 2020–23
Road transport technologies
The Strategy and Action Plan help guide the department’s work to prepare Australia for new and emerging technologies through safe, responsible and nationally consistent deployments. The pages below provide more information on key technology areas, related research, and how the department supports take up of these technologies.
Automated vehicles
Automated vehicles are equipped with automated driving systems (ADS) that are capable of performing the entire driving task. We are working with the states and territories, National Transport Commission and industry to build a safe, national framework for their deployment.
Learn more: Automated vehicles
Connected vehicles
A connected vehicle is any vehicle that is connected to the internet, such as through an inbuilt SIM card or a paired smartphone. Internet connectivity allows the vehicle to communicate with other devices and external infrastructure. Connected vehicle technologies have the potential to improve road safety, traffic flow, real‑time decision‑making and emerging mobility services.
Learn more: Connected vehicles
Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) and Co-operative ITS (C‑ITS)
ITS uses information and communications technologies to help manage the transport system. ITS tools such as dynamic speed zones, active lane management and real‑time traffic systems have been used across Australia for decades.
C ‑ ITS takes connectivity further by allowing vehicles, roadside equipment and other road users to communicate co-operatively i.e. by directly communicating with each other. These technologies support providing better information to drivers, safer roads and more efficient network operations. In the future, C-ITS is intended to support highly automated driving.
Learn more: ITS and C‑ITS
Research on road transport technologies
Research helps governments, industry and the community better understand the opportunities, risks and practical requirements associated with new and emerging road transport technologies. This evidence base supports informed policy development, nationally consistent approaches and the safe, responsible deployment of technologies across Australia.
Learn more: Research on road transport technologies
How we support emerging road transport technologies
We provide strategic leadership and coordination to enable the safe and legal deployment of emerging road transport technologies to enhance social, environmental and economic well-being for all Australians.
Learn more: How we support emerging road transport technologies
Contact us
For more information, please email us at roadtransporttech@infrastructure.gov.au.
