Australian Integrated Multimodal EcoSystem (AIMES)
AIMES is a world-first living laboratory based on the streets of Melbourne, established to test highly integrated transport technology with a goal to deliver safer, cleaner and more sustainable urban transport outcomes.
About us
Intelligent transport technology for smart cities
The Australian Integrated Multimodal EcoSystem (AIMES) is a world-first living laboratory based on the streets of Melbourne. AIMES was established in 2016 to test highly integrated transport technology with a goal to deliver safer, cleaner and more sustainable urban transport outcomes.
The University of Melbourne’s Transport Technologies research group is taking a leading role in testing and implementation, working closely with government and leading local and international industry sectors via the AIMES partnership.
An effective transport system is essential to the liveability of a city and a key driver of competition in the global marketplace. With current transport infrastructure under stress, the AIMES ecosystem provides a unique platform for collaborative trials of technology which integrates the movement of all road users (people and vehicles) with transport infrastructure.
Central to AIMES is the network of smart sensors connecting all parts of the transport environment within a six square kilometre grid on the streets of inner-city Carlton, Melbourne. AIMES will deliver ‘multimodal’ transport — connected vehicles, connected public transport, connected pedestrians and cyclists and smart public transport stations.
AIMES offers a platform for government, industry and academia to work collaboratively to explore better transport outcomes in a dynamic real-world environment including:
- Real-time information for users
- Real-time, proactive operational management
- Prevention of traffic incidents and congestion
- Comprehensive testing ground for all connected and automated vehicle trials.
Read about the latest and on-going projects deployed in AIMES.
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C-ITS
To review vehicle connectivity technologies in both Australia and overseas and identify potential pathways to expedite safety and efficiency outcomes. Partners include Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities, and Regional Development, ITS Australia, iMOVE Australia, IAG and more.
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Cubic vision
To visualise what is happening at the intersection to better protect cyclists and pedestrians and improve intersection efficiency. Partners include Cubic, Department of Transport and more.
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Kapsch Smart Intersection
Kapsch Smart Intersection which is live on the corner of Victoria Parade and Brunswick Street, Carlton is equipped with Kapsch’s latest ANPR sensor configured as a ‘Yellow Box’ detector. Partners include Kapsch TrafficCom Australia and more.
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Kapsch Intelligent Corridor
To prove the concept of corridor management in an urban environment to improve the travel time and safety for pedestrians and cyclists. Partners include Kapsch TrafficCom Australia, Department of Transport and more.
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AI in multimodal transport management
To develop advanced algorithms to improve the safety and efficiency of urban intersections. Partners include iMOVE Australia, RACQ and more.
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Front end dashboard
To develop a multimodal situation awareness platform for the management of transport as an ecosystem. Partners include Cubic Transportation Systems and more.
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Automated shuttle
To create a simulation laboratory for experiments to understand the potentials of AVs in delivering public transport and demand-responsive services. Partners include Easymile and more.
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AIMES data exchange
A platform that allows for the sharing of data with stakeholders with certain levels of security, protection rules and access rights. Partners include AWS Amazon, WSP, Cisco, IAG and more.
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Edge and fog computing
A world-first trial of connected transport technology involving an Internet of Things (IoT) Edge and Fog Computing solution on a roadside intersection. Partners include Cisco, Cohda Wireless, WSP and more.
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Connected trams
For Trams to detect hazards and count pedestrians and cars to improve efficiencies in the tram network. Partners include Toshiba, Yarra Trams and more.
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Connected freight
To improve efficiencies of freight movement in urban environments. Partners include Woolworths and more.
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AI to profile intersections
To develop an understanding of what safety measures and actions can be taken to avoid incidents at intersections. Partners include Cisco, Cohda Wireless, Department of Transport and more.
Professor Majid Sarvi, Director of AIMES
Majid Sarvi is Chair in Transport Engineering and Professor Transport for Smart Cities at the University of Melbourne. He has over 22 years of professional, academic and research experience in the areas of traffic and transport engineering. His fields of research include:
- Connected multimodal transport network modelling and analysis
- Crowd dynamic modelling and simulation
- Network vulnerability assessment and optimisation.
AIMES is looking to create enhanced connectivity, and explore infrastructure and demand issues in a holistic way to provide tangible benefits for commuters from day one.
AIMES Management Team
- Peter Sweatman, Enterprise Professor in Transport Technologies
- Daniel Hoyne, AIMES Program Manager, VicRoads
- Andrew Rudge, Senior Business Development Manager
- Liz Baxter, Marketing Manager & Chair of AIMES Communications Committee
Frequently asked questions
- What data are you collecting?
A lot of the data we are collecting is publicly accessible. This includes public transport timetables and the live data from train, tram and bus movements data that is already available to all members of the public.
- What is being done to protect data?
All data is safely and securely stored on the University of Melbourne’s servers. These meet the highest standards of data protection.
- Are you collecting data about individuals?
We are not collecting any individual’s data. Our sensors are designed to count the number and type of vehicles, pedestrians and bikes operating within the test bed. These are designed to detect hazards. No identifiable data is being stored.
- What about cars?
We are identifying which parking spaces are being used, but not the vehicles using them. We are only interested in the volume and flow of traffic, potential hazards for drivers and car space usage.
- What about privacy?
We are not collecting any data that could identify an individual or their vehicle. No mobile data is being collected and we are not using cameras.
Each test we run goes through an ethics committee approval and is compliant with state and National Privacy Principles. This means that privacy and transparency are of the utmost importance.
General enquiries
Media enquiries
Rachel Sheldon
E: rachel.sheldon@unimelb.edu.au