New Zealand’s associate transport minister Craig Foss says the release of a new Transport Domain Plan and Research Strategy better equips the nation’s transport sector to plan for the future.
Foss launched the two complementary documents during an event at Parliament on July 27.
The Transport Domain Plan, available here, is designed to ensure the sector has the right data and information going forward, and aims to make data more visible and easy to use.
The Research Strategy, available here, is targeted at creating investment in the right research for the transport sector in the future. The paper provides a framework for fostering a better research environment; one which emphasises collaboration, maximises the economic and social benefits of the transport system, and minimises harm.
“Each year, central and local government invest over $5 billion in developing, operating and maintaining our transport system,” Foss said.
“This investment relies on a foundation of high quality information.
“The new Domain Plan will ensure the sector has access to more comprehensive data and information, while the Research Strategy will guide investment in research that better meets our future transport needs.”
Foss says New Zealand faces “significant transport challenges,” but he believes the two documents will help the sector understand those challenges, and how they can be managed.
“The way we travel in 20 years is likely to be very different from the way we travel now,” the minister continued.
“The Domain Plan and Research Strategy provide a new direction for transport research and will help, through high-quality data, ensure New Zealand is ready to meet and embrace changes within the transport sector.”