The Main Roads C-ITS Roadmap will support the implementation of a nationally harmonised C-ITS ecosystem across the Western Australian road network to enhance safety, movement, regional resilience, and enable future vehicle technology. Over the next 3 – 4 years we will be concentrating on:

• Collaboration and Research – Collaborate with research bodies and industry to understand gaps and perform research and capture feedback to further national understanding.

• National Harmonisation – Participate in national efforts to develop a C-ITS implementation plan, monitor radiofrequency spectrum arrangements, develop a common Security Credential Management System (SCMS), C-ITS Central Station(s), and data framework.

• “Future Proofing” – Prepare for future vehicle technologies and set up foundational infrastructure for C-ITS deployment across WA over time.

• Proofs of Concept – Run a local testbed and/or test corridor(s) to develop readiness of C-ITS applications and identify any WA-specific needs.

• Capability Uplift – Provide opportunities for staff, working in conjunction with industry, to develop capabilities in systems engineering, data engineering, cloud systems, and ITS architecture to support business change required for C-ITS in WA.

• Systems Uplift – Identify and implement the changes required to the ITS environment to support C-ITS use case deployment.

• Data Quality and Management – Improve road agency data to facilitate emerging C-ITS applications and in turn, improve availability and quality of ITS data.

Proof-of-Concept (PoC) Trial

Main Roads is teaming up with the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads to test both C-ITS awareness messages and warning messages at locations on Mitchell Freeway Southbound from Hester Avenue to Vincent Street. Trial vehicles will receive the following messages when traveling in the trial area:

• Advanced warning of roadworks to reduce speed to the lowest roadworks speed limit,
• Warning when above the lowest roadworks speed limit,
• Information on speed limits on approach to the roadworks and throughout the roadwork area, and
• Static speed limits

The PoC trial commenced mid-May 2024 and will run for approximately three months and will provide an understanding of the foundational infrastructure and technical requirements of C-ITS technologies for future deployments in WA.

C-ITS national harmonisation and pre-deployment research

Main Roads is an active participant in the iMove C-ITS National Harmonisation and Pre-Deployment Research Project. This project involves uplifting around 30 intersections across five key corridors within the Australian Integrated Multimodal Ecosystem (AIMES) testbed (Melbourne, Victoria) with the advanced sensing and communication capability to continually transmit live information about traffic and safety for road users.

Deploying C-ITS at scale in a real-world busy urban environment will allow assessment of benefits, deployment considerations and options, and provide recommendations that could support Australian’s road authorities’ adoption of C-ITS in a nationally harmonised manner.

The research will primarily focus on short-range ITS-G5 technology, which is already installed in the AIMES testbed and in line with European standards, however long-range C-ITS will also be considered within the AIMES testbed and other road contexts.

Participants include:

• Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts
• Department of Transport and Main Roads (Queensland)
• Transport for NSW
• SA Department of Planning Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI)
• Department of Transport and Planning (Victoria)
• Main Roads Western Australia
• Transport Accident Commission
• ITS Australia
• University of Melbourne