Moderation Team
Summary: Autonomous cars may be on Australian roads by the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games, according to the National Future Transport Summit. However, safety and cost concerns persist, and strict regulations will be necessary. Tesla has recently introduced self-driving software in Australia, while Uber sees the country as ideal for self-driving vehicles, thanks to its embrace of ride-sharing and proactive regulatory measures. Summit speakers noted that Australia’s thoughtful regulatory approach is commendable, with ongoing preparations by Queensland transport officials to ensure readiness for the technology ahead of the Games.
Autonomous cars with no human behind the wheel could be roaming Australian roads in time for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games, a transport summit has been told, although questions remain about their safety and cost.
Strict regulations will need to be in place to govern their use around the event, according to speakers at the National Future Transport Summit in Brisbane, although Australia was “on track” to deliver them.
The predictions came as US car maker Tesla announced the launch of its self-driving software in Australia following weeks of testing and speculation.
The two-day transport summit heard Uber considered Australia to be a prime location for self-driving vehicles as it had embraced ride-share options and regulators were taking steps to create national laws. Other countries that raced to adopt self-driving cars have had to change regulations on the fly, Uber autonomous policy global head Richard Willder told the audience.
“We certainly feel that Australia’s regulatory approach and the way that it’s going about it in such a thoughtful, holistic and really nuanced way is a very strong way to develop a regulatory framework,” he said.
Queensland Transport and Main Roads director-general Sally Stannard said state regulators had been considering their preparedness for the technology in the lead-up to the Olympic Games.
“When the regulatory settings are going to be the limiting factor, we have to be ready,” she said. “The disruptors are going through the network and that’s what we’ve got to be ready for.”
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