Australian Govlink Issue 3 2016 | Page 81

MINOR INFRASTRUCTURE About Susan Harris With over 20 years’ experience across transport and supply chain sectors Susan is eager to harness the benefits that technology can deliver to business and the Australian community. “The number of ‘business to business’ connections we heard about during the week was a very satisfying outcome of the World Congress”, Brian Negus said. The Congress also witnessed the signing of several Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) including between ITS Australia and Contra Costa Transportation Authority and GoMentum Station (USA), and VicRoads and the Intelligent Transport Society of Korea. In addition to delivering the traditional ITS World Congress program and a range of networking and social activities, it was also important the Congress was inclusive and open. Nearly two and a half thousand members of the community attended the World Congress. School pupils rose to the challenge of building smart cities, connected and solar vehicles, university students entered our essay competition and members of our Future Innovators Club travelled from across Asia Pacific to attend. Members of the public took up the invitation to attend the final two days and City of Melbourne hosted three Melbourne Conversations during the week. We were also pleased to celebrate initiatives to support diversity in the ITS community and to create a network opportunity for ITS industry members from diverse backgrounds and contexts. The Congress concluded on Friday 14 October, with the traditional passing of the World Congress Globe, from Melbourne to Montreal, host city of the 2017 event. Through the global network of ITS Associations and participating as a member of the Board of the ITS World Congress, Susan has strong linkages with the international ITS community, ensuring Australian advances can be shared overseas while also keeping abreast of international developments in this rapidly evolving field. Other affiliations include: Convenor of the Austroads Cooperative ITS Industry Reference Group; Member of the national Transport Commission Industry Advisory Group, Member of Monash University Institute of Transport Studies Industry Advisory Board. Susan has built a career in consulting and in industry to look at collaborative solutions involving government, industry and academia. This industry experience is combined with professional qualifications including a Batchelor degree majoring in Environmental Management and an MBA from Melbourne Business School. About ITS Australia ITS promotes the development and deployment of advanced technologies to deliver safer, more efficient and environmentally sustainable transport across all public and private modes – air, sea, road and rail. Established in 1992, ITS Australia is an independent not-for-profit incorporated membership organisation representing ITS suppliers, government authorities, academia and transport businesses and users. Visit: www.its-australia.com.au Images curtesy of www.pulsephotograhpy.com.au GOVLINK » ISSUE 3 2016 77