TMF and EDQ Unveil Study of Urban Design for New-Age Transport Modes
BRISBANE, AU
AUGUST 5, 2024
Economic Development Queensland (EDQ), in an Australian-first collaboration with Toyota Mobility Foundation and experts from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), has commenced a unique urban planning and design study of how new and emerging mobility and futuristic transport such as air taxis, autonomous personal pods, self-driving cars, and driverless electric shuttles could be accommodated at Northshore Brisbane.
The Project is considering ways to capture the environmental and mobility benefits of emerging transport technologies.
The Project could influence future development at Northshore – Queensland’s largest waterfront urban renewal project – to consider new mobility technologies in planning alongside possible future shifts for traditional public transport methods and private vehicles.
It is also expected to identify innovative mobility options that will serve as a sustainable transport model across Brisbane, leading to reduced congestion, a reduction in car dependency, and more mobility options for all.
EDQ, as the master-developer of Northshore, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Toyota Mobility Foundation, and MIT Professor Alan Berger.
EDQ is transforming 48 hectares of former industrial port land within the 304-hectare Northshore Hamilton Priority Development Area into a connected and sustainable housing, retail, hospitality, and commercial destination.
EDQ Chief Executive Officer Debbie McNamara said the 18-month design project would focus on strategic planning frameworks to support next-generation mobility solutions.
“The project aims to create a forward-thinking urban environment that not only serves the needs of the current community but also anticipates future transport trends,” she said.
“This collaboration with Toyota Mobility Foundation and Professor Berger of MIT is a monumental leap towards achieving our goals for the future of mobility. Their expertise in autonomous technologies, mobility systems, and innovative urban planning will help us explore new frontiers in accessibility and connectivity.”
Professor Berger said: “It is vital for urban planners and urban designers to start thinking about the integration of future mobility technologies to maximize, the environmental and social benefits they can bring.”
“This project will use parametric modelling tools to design and test urban configurations that support innovative forms of active mobility and universal access, reducing reliance on private cars and integrating with, active mobility options such as walking and micromobility, and traditional public transit models, which are also expected to evolve in the future.
“We are very excited to be working with EDQ and Toyota Mobility Foundation to envision future sustainable and resilient design scenarios for Northshore Brisbane.”
Toyota Mobility Foundation William Chernicoff said: “This collaboration will go a long way towards developing inclusive universal design and barrier-free mobility frameworks that integrate buildings and mobility infrastructure and provide important value today with future autonomous vehicles or service bots, and other forms of mobility.
“It will also explore alternative approaches to optimizing parking requirements, passenger loading zones, micro-mobility hubs, parcel delivery, and vehicular charging and storage programs across a range of regulatory and applied design scenarios.
“The Brisbane Northshore project well aligns with our mission to improve access to connected transport systems that are greener, safer, resilient, and more inclusive for communities across the globe.”
Examples of future mobility technologies:
- Autonomous Vehicles: Self-driving cars and buses that use AI and sensors to navigate without human input, providing safe and efficient transportation.
- Electric Scooters and Bikes: Compact, eco-friendly personal transportation devices that can be rented on-demand for short trips, enhancing last-mile connectivity.
- Urban Air Mobility (UAM): Electric drones and air taxis designed for short urban flights, reducing congestion on the ground and offering quick travel options.
- Shared Mobility Services: Platforms for ride-sharing, car-sharing, and bike-sharing that provide flexible, on-demand access to various modes of transport without the need for ownership.
- Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS): Integrated digital platforms that combine different transport services (public transit, ride-sharing, bike-sharing) into a single, accessible service, enabling seamless travel across multiple modes.
- Smart Transit Hubs: Innovative transportation nodes that integrate various mobility services, including public transport, shared vehicles, and personal devices, designed for easy and efficient access.
- Connected and Smart Infrastructure: Intelligent traffic management systems and smart city technologies that optimize traffic flow, reduce congestion, and support autonomous and electric vehicles.
- Advanced wheelchairs[1] and mobility assistive devices[2]:
- Personal Mobility Pods: Small, electric, and autonomous vehicles designed for individual or small group transport, offering a comfortable and efficient alternative to traditional cars.
- On-Demand Autonomous Shuttles: Driverless, electric shuttles that operate on-demand, providing flexible and sustainable public transportation options within urban areas.
- Electric Cargo Drones: Autonomous drones designed for freight transport, enabling quick and sustainable delivery of goods within urban environments.
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[1] Wheelchair is defined as a chair mounted on wheels, especially for the use of a person with disabilities.
[2] Mobility assistive devices are defined as artificial intelligence powered devices with intelligent control systems and other customizable equipment for assisting those with disabilities maneuver, hear, see, communicate, or perform other functions of daily life.
Media contacts
Economic Development Queensland
Toyota Mobility Foundation
About Economic Development Queensland (EDQ)
EDQ is the Queensland State Government’s land use planning and property development agency, located in Australia. We forge partnerships across government, industry, and the community to deliver new residential communities, urban precincts, and industrial ecosystems.
Empowered by the Economic Development Act 2012, EDQ has unique planning and approval powers and a mandate to create private sector investment opportunities by de-risking and unlocking land for redevelopment. We have planned and facilitated some of Queensland's largest residential developments and most iconic urban renewal projects. Our innovations set benchmarks for the property industry, and we are creating jobs of the future in regional Queensland by unlocking land to promote priority industries, including clean energy and large-scale manufacturing.
We measure our success by the economic, social, and environmental value we create. Over the last decade, we have generated more than $3.7 billion in private sector investment and facilitated over $1 billion in trunk infrastructure for Queensland. EDQ is dedicated to achieving commercial outcomes for the state while delivering on government priorities. For media enquiries contact media@edq.qld.gov.au.
About Toyota Mobility Foundation
The Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF) was established in August 2014 by the Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) to support the development of a more mobile society in which everyone can move freely. The Foundation underscores TMC’s on-going commitment to continuous improvement and respect for people. It utilizes Toyota’s expertise and technologies to support strong mobility systems while eliminating disparities in mobility. TMF works in partnership with universities, governments, non-profits, research institutions and other organizations, creating programs are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to address mobility issues around the world.