PATREC Research

2024 – 2025

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AURIN WA Node to support CA in transport and land use planning research

A new PATREC program of research commenced in 2023 with three foundation projects, responding to WA government-identified need: Feasibility of battery-electric buses for regional school bus services; Mapping the Circular Economy of WA: Monitoring the contributions of circularity towards achieving Net Zero; and Accounting for carbon in the planning for new residential suburbs. Funding for second stages of these projects, as well as for new projects, has been agreed by PATREC and iMOVE CRC to be undertaken in 2025 and 2026.

Data and tools are a significant part of each project, providing the ideal opportunity to establish an enabling research infrastructure to support the new program of research: CATLUP – Climate action in transport and land use planning, comprising data and tools, as the basis for a longer-term indicator-based monitoring system to measure, monitor and drive enhanced resource efficiency and environmental performance towards net zero emissions of WA cities.
AURIN-WA will produce tools for transport and land use planning research, with a climate action focus. In turn these tools will deliver impact case studies across industry and government, and secondary users.

The National Cycling Data and Analysis Platform (NCDAP)

A National Cycling Data and Analytics Platform to collect, integrate and communicate new and historic data on cycling infrastructure, attitudes, and behaviours. This project will address the significant issue of data fragmentation, pilot a national cycling survey, and develop a cycling toolkit to allow exploring and testing various cycling infrastructure scenarios. The platform will provide an open access e-Infrastructure to enable tracking social and cultural changes that influence transport choices, create effective behaviour change programs and prioritise cycling infrastructure investment. This project will contribute to healthier lifestyles, reduced traffic congestion and emissions and energy efficiency of Australia’s transport sector.

Evaluation of an HVO renewable diesel trial pilot

To evaluate the trial of the use of HVO100 in the construction of the Byford Rail Extension (Metronet) to provide a third-party review of the suitability of HVO as a fuel source to achieve low carbon outcomes in the construction stages of the asset lifecycle and create increased confidence in the market to use the renewable diesel:

• Review the international experience in the use of HVO and other biofuels
• Analyse environmental benefits and economic viability of biofuels
• Establish an evaluation framework to measure the trial outcomes
• Collect on-site telematics data to understand the benefits and provide confidence in the fuel

Sustainable last kilometre food and beverage delivery in Perth

Current planning frameworks and guidelines for Perth/Peel focus on freight movement between ports, primary industries and industrial areas, inadequately addressing last kilometre freight. The nature of last kilometre freight and the character of Perth/Peel is changing planning design guidance for last kilometre freight.

This project undertakes a robust and systematic approach to define the last kilometre freight challenges and opportunities in Perth/Peel, specifically focusing on the food and beverage (F&B) sector.

Last kilometre freight opportunities can offer more sustainable forms of freight than what is currently available. The challenges need to be well-defined to identify the most appropriate opportunity. It is also crucial to consider practical issues (e.g. parking issues), potential demand (e.g. locations and safety) and other wider street and land use issues (e.g. implications to land use, street environment and other street users).

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Roundabout safety review using drone video analytics

This project leverages drone video analytics data collected at over 50 roundabouts in Perth to conduct comprehensive safety analyses. Building on existing footage from the previous iMOVE project, the research will focus on analysing vehicle trajectories, speeds, and interactions with vulnerable road users.

It also aims to improve vehicle detection algorithms, implement safety surrogate measures, and develop evidence-based assessment tools for roundabout safety. By examining real-world driver behaviours and reactions to geometric design features, this work will help create more effective, proactive safety measures rather than relying solely on accident data.

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