Following a long gestation period, sophisticated intelligent transport systems (ITS) applications are coming on-stream rapidly, both in Australia and overseas. These are likely to deliver modest safety benefits. The major gains in safety are likely to be realised when systems designed with this specific goal become available, such as collision avoidance systems. Practical application of these technologies appears to be some way off, and is likely to be driven by developments overseas. In the meantime, there appear to be some issues where relatively simple ITS systems could progressively have a major impact on safety in Australia. These developments are an intelligent seat belt interlock, an electronic driving licence, smart daytime running lights, emergency response systems and "smart" daytime running lights. Promoting early development and uptake of these systems could result in significant reductions to road casualties in Australia, and should be given serious attention in the development of the National Road Safety Strategy. (A)
Abstract