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Grant to study smart transport tech
USYD given federal funding to research intelligent vehicle technologies that reduce congestion, fuel use and emissions.
The iMOVE CRC consortium, which includes the University of Sydney’ s Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies and its Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies, has secured $ 55 million in funding over 10 years to investigate intelligent transport systems, including self-driving cars.
The grant was announced by Senator Arthur Sinodinos, the minister for industry, innovation and science, and it brings iMOVE CRC’ s total research budget to more than $ 100 million.
ITLS director and USYD professor David Hensher said the grant would be used to increase competitiveness and productivity in the Australian economy.
“ These funds will now be used by iMOVE CRC to explore digital and evolving vehicle technologies to increase the efficiency of passenger and freight flows; reduce congestion, fuel use and emissions; and to improve productivity and competitiveness,” Hensher said. iMOVE CRC has revealed that about $ 1 million of the budget will flow annually to the two USYD organisations in the consortium.
Working with Hensher at ITLS and the Faculty of Engineering and IT are professors Michael Bell, Michiel Bliemer, Stephen Greaves, Behnam Fahimnia, Corinne Mulley and Rico Merkert, as well as a number of other academics and PhD students.
“ The ITLS is actively involved in the iMOVE CRC group through its focus on the research themes of intelligent transport systems and infrastructures, end-to-end freight solutions and enhanced personal mobility,” Hensher said. iMOVE CRC’ s prospectus outlines how it will spend this research funding. It plans to develop new intelligent infrastructure, evaluate the commercial value of increased vehicle automation, and create new systems for the faster and cheaper freight of foodstuffs.
“ We are excited to finally receive the green light and we know that many participants in the CRC are eager to start their projects,” said bid leader Ian Christensen. ■
Penalty rate cuts to hit students
Union fears students will need to work more hours to make up for drop in income.
The decision handed down by the Fair Work Commission( FWC) to reduce Sunday and public holiday penalty rates is likely to hurt the hip pocket of students, many of whom work in the industries affected.
• Retail: full- and part-time employees have had their penalty rates cut from 200 per cent to 150 per cent. Casual employees have had their rates cut from 200 per cent to 175 per cent.
• Hospitality: full- and part-time employees have had their rates cut from 175 per cent to 150 per cent. There is no change for casual workers in this sector.
• Fast food: full- and part-time employees have had their rates cut from 150 per cent to 125 per cent. Casual employees have had their rates cut from 175 per cent to 150 per cent.
• Pharmacy: full- and part-time employees have had their rates cut from 200 per cent to 150 per cent. Casual employees have had their rates cut from 200 per cent to 175 per cent.
The National Union of Students( NUS) expressed outrage at the decision, saying the changes would cost individuals up to $ 66 over a six-hour shift. The NUS said students would be among the hardest hit, as they would have to work more hours.
The University of Melbourne’ s professor Mark Wooden, an economist and industrial relations expert, said it was likely these cuts would not impact many students because of the level of noncompliance to wage regulations in small business.
“ We do have to remember a lot of young people probably aren’ t being paid the correct rate anyway,” Wooden said.
“ There’ s got to be a lot of noncompliance, particularly in the small business sector. For them, there’ s going to be no difference. Cut, no cut, they’ re probably getting below the rate anyway.” ■
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