Project Description
The Transport Innovation and Research Hub (TIRH) is a research agreement between the Brisbane City Council (BCC), Griffith University, Queensland University of Technology, and the University of Queensland. The Hub exists is to undertake strategic transport research and development, and build mutual transport capability within the university sector, BCC and industry to address future transport challenges in the Brisbane metropolitan area. This Agreement establishes the collaborative, cooperative relationship and arrangements between BCC and Universities to deliver research, learning and development outcomes that contribute to the outcomes of the Transport Plan for Brisbane 2018.
The objectives of the agreement are to:
(a) build transport research excellence and capability in Brisbane;
(b) foster a collaborative partnership and strong alliance between Council, industry and the academic sector; and
(c) fund and enable transport related R&D activities that deliver positive outcomes for the transport system and the wider community.
At Griffith most of our research as part of the Hub is on active transport, micromobility (especially e-scooters) and public transport. This has included research on regulatory regimes for public shared e-bike schemes, evaluations of new active transport infrastructure, and investigations into public engagement for transport proposals. Our research has included investigations into the CityLink Cycleway trial of two-way separated bikeways in the Brisbane central business district, and, consultation activities on the North Brisbane Bikeway route options.
Project Personnel and Beneficiaries
Our TIRH research projects assist Council with initiatives and actions of the Transport Plan for Brisbane 2018. Mostly these seek in some way to improve access to the goods, services and jobs that Brisbane residents and visitors need in daily life. This includes students, tourists, seniors, persons-with-a-disability and more. Our research develops new concepts, novel methods and undertakes applied research on Brisbane’s transport network and services. Particular groups that benefit include:
– Pedestrians, cyclists, e-scooter riders, public transport users and other sustainable transport users;
– Brisbane City Council officers and decision-makers, including their transport planners and modelers; and,
– Brisbane Transport, the division of BCC that operates the city’s bus system
Outcomes to Date
Griffith University TIRH research influenced the regulatory frameworks for shared micromobility schemes in Brisbane. This included changes in the length of the private hire scheme contracts and retention of the current duopoly system (two operators; with strong competition for the market, and then limited competition within the market). The model is proving increasingly successful. Our work on tourism effects of e-scooters strongly influenced local government demand for shared e-scooter systems, especially in New South Wales.
The TIRH agreement and Council’s support was influential in Dr Abraham Leung receiving an Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellowship (AUD$689,000 total value) to deliver the first tourism-focused MaaS trial in Australia. This should deliver insights into whether there is a financial business case for tourism-MaaS operations, and help identify what is needed for a holistic travel app for the carbon-neutral Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Project Significance
The TIRH agreement primarily serves SDG 11, to “Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”. The United Nations has recognised how important transport systems are to achieving this goal, but has also noted how transport is also related to the SDGs on “food security, health, energy, economic growth, [and] infrastructure” (see https://sdgs.un.org/topics/sustainable-transport).
Sustainable transport is essential to providing access for all, reducing the burden of road traffic crashes, improving air quality in cities, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Private car travel is extremely high in Australian cities such as Brisbane. Increasing the share of trips made by active and public transport, shifting to electric vehicle propulsion, increasing rates of sharing of vehicles and of trips, and improving the efficiency of the urban system as a whole, will have a serious impact on all the negative impacts of modern transportation.
To assist these Goals, our research on Council’s active transport planning activities sought to help them mediate between the needs of different communities: cyclists, e-scooter riders and pedestrians; and, the residential communities where bikeways are being proposed. Similarly, our research on models of micromobility regulation explored the safest, affordable and innovative approaches for cities to introduce and manage electric shared e-scooter and e-bike operations. Through the Hub, Council is now contributing to Australia’s first tourism-focused Mobility-as-a-Service trial.