150x150.png)
The Australian transport technology sector has descended on Sydney this week for the Roads, Tolling & Tech 2026 conference, organised by ITS Australia. Against the backdrop of a rapidly evolving digital landscape, the two-day event (March 25–26) has solidified Sydney’s reputation as a global laboratory for Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS). Under the overarching theme of "Smart Roads, Smart Data," more than 500 delegates from government, industry and academia gathered to map out a future where connectivity is not just a feature, but the backbone of national productivity.
Opening the conference on Wednesday morning, Silje Troseth, President of ITS Australia and General Manager of Q-Free Australia, set a defiant and ambitious tone. "We are no longer just talking about 'improving' roads," Troseth told a packed auditorium, "we are talking about redefining the relationship between the vehicle, the infrastructure and the user. The data we harvest today is the fuel for the safe, sustainable and efficient networks of 2030 and beyond."
A major focal point of the event was the ongoing transformation of Australia’s tolling landscape. With the Sydney Western Harbour Tunnel now moving toward a fully tagless, digital-first operation, the "Tolling and Transport Pricing" sessions were standing-room only.
Industry leaders from Transurban, Kapsch TrafficCom and SICE debated the transition from traditional Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) to more flexible, distance-based Road Usage Charging (RUC) models. A key takeaway from Day 1 was the increasing consensus that as the Australian vehicle fleet shifts toward electrification (eroding traditional fuel excise revenue), the industry must accelerate the deployment of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) based tolling.
"The technology is ready; the challenge now is social and political license," noted one panellist during a session on future tolling. The discussion highlighted a shift toward "Free-Flow" or "Open Road Tolling" (ORT) as the gold standard, with experts predicting a 9.4% CAGR in the global ORT market through 2035. The unveiling of Q-Free’s next-generation OBU1010 transponder, which emphasises ultra-low power consumption and a reduced carbon footprint, served as a tangible example of how hardware is evolving to meet these new sustainability and performance benchmarks.
If tolling provided the economic context, safety provided the moral imperative. Fresh off their win at the 16th Annual ITS Australia Awards in Melbourne last month, Transport for NSW and Transurban shared detailed insights into their award-winning projects.
The "Drones for Roads" program by Transport for NSW was a highlight of the "Technology Innovations" stream. By utilising unmanned aerial vehicles for incident response and asset management, NSW is setting a global benchmark for reducing secondary crash risks and minimising congestion during breakdowns.
Meanwhile, Transurban, in partnership with Toyota Australia, presented the latest data from their connected vehicle trial on Melbourne’s West Gate Freeway. Using Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS), the trial successfully demonstrated how real-time, collective-perception data can guide safer motorway merging. The session emphasised that C-ITS is moving out of the "trial phase" and into the "deployment phase," with calls for a national harmonised standard for V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) communication.
The "Smart Data" half of the conference theme was addressed in rigorous technical sessions focused on Trusted Data, Security and Privacy. As road networks become increasingly reliant on AI and machine learning, the industry is grappling with the sheer volume of information generated by smart infrastructure.
Susan Harris, CEO of ITS Australia, emphasised the importance of collaboration in this space. "We are seeing a shift where data is treated as a strategic asset. However, to maintain public trust, we must ensure that our systems are not only efficient but incredibly resilient to cyber threats."
Start-ups and established tech giants alike showcased AI-driven platforms that automate ITS monitoring and optimise traffic flow. NEC Australia discussed their work on Canberra’s My Way+ ticketing system, illustrating how digital identities and real-time journey planning are becoming integrated into the broader road user experience. This "mobility-as-a-feature" approach is expected to be a cornerstone of the upcoming Mobility 2026 conference in Brisbane later this year.
Sustainability was woven into every discussion, from the procurement of road-marking materials to the energy requirements of massive server farms. The "Sustainable Smart Infrastructure" stream explored how ITS can directly contribute to Australia’s Net Zero targets.
EV Charging Integration: How road operators can support the roll-out of heavy vehicle charging infrastructure without compromising grid stability.
Dynamic Managed Lanes: Using AI to reduce idling and emissions in urban corridors.
Active Travel: Integrating bike telemetry and pedestrian detection into traffic management systems to encourage greener transport choices.
A recurring theme throughout the week was the need to ensure that the benefits of ITS are not confined to the Eastern Seaboard. The "Outback ITS" initiative, championed by the NextGens young professionals group, highlighted the unique challenges of regional Australia, from connectivity gaps in the NT to the resilience of freight corridors in Western Australia.
Kalan Ralph, an emerging leader from Main Roads Western Australia and winner of the 2026 Young Professional Award, reminded delegates that "The work we do in Sydney must scale to the Nullarbor. True transport equity means a connected Australia, not just a connected city."
As the conference draws to a close today, the focus shifts toward the ITS Global Summit in Melbourne (September 2026) and the 32nd ITS World Congress in Gangneung, Korea. The message from Sydney is clear: the technology is no longer the bottleneck. The future of Australian roads lies in the intelligent integration of data, the courage to reform pricing models and an unwavering commitment to safety.
For the delegates leaving the Sydney convention floor today, the work begins on turning these "smart" conversations into "reality" on our roads.
Tagless is the Future: Rapid acceleration toward video and GNSS-based tolling for new infrastructure projects.
C-ITS Mainstreaming: Transitioning from trials to permanent V2X infrastructure on major motorways.
AI as an Operator: Growing reliance on AI for predictive maintenance and real-time incident response.
Regional Equity: A renewed push for "Outback ITS" to support safety and logistics in rural Australia.