Delegates from Australian Light Rail operators, manufacturers, contractors and city planners are arriving in Canberra today for the ARA two-day Light Rail 2020 Conference to be held on Wednesday and Thursday this week.
“Australia is undergoing ongoing growth of Light Rail with recent new networks opened in Sydney, Canberra, and Newcastle, and more projects and extensions planned for Parramatta, and the Gold Coast,” said ARA CEO Caroline Wilkie.
“Light Rail provides Australia with sustainable, smart and safe solutions to the congestion and capacity challenges currently faced by our cities.”
“Delegates will be welcomed by ACT Transport Minister Chris Steel MLA, who will address future transport plans in Canberra, and will hear from project leaders about progress with the Light Rail projects in Australia and around the world,” said Ms Wilkie.
“And we will hear of plans to develop Melbourne’s trams. The Melbourne tram network remains the jewel in the crown, with over 250km of double track, completing over 200 million trips annually, it is the largest tram network in the world, and one which all Australians, can be justly proud,” Ms Wilkie said.
Speakers include:
- Glen Bentley CEO of ALTRAC (Sydney Light rail operator)
- Duncan Edghill from Major Projects Canberra
- Tilo Franz from Canberra Metro Operations
- Emilie van de Graaff from Yarra Trams
- Anand Thomas of Parramatta Light Rail
- Xabier Larrea from CAF
- Andrea Bastianelli from Thales
- Dererk Jackson from Bombardier Transportation Australia
- Nouredine Benkaza from Alstom
- Dr Ali Parvizi from ABB Australia
The Conference will also hear international case studies of LightRail and urban renewal.
There will be a number of technical sessions covering issues such as developments in tram corridor design, new safety features and asset management and a range of others.
The Conference ends with a technical site tour of the Canberra Metro Operations Depot on Thursday afternoon.
ARA LightRail 2020
4-5 March
Hyatt Hotel Canberra
More information
ENDS