Growing urban populations are placing increasing pressure on city transport networks. Annual congestion alone costs Australia $18 billion per annum, whilst road crashes exact a staggering economic and human toll.
Founded by Professor Majid Sarvi, AIMES is a unique living laboratory collecting real-time data from smart sensors that are monitoring vehicles, public transport, cyclists and pedestrians across 100 km of inner-city Melbourne.
The ecosystem offers a platform for 50+ partners in government and industry to test intelligent transport solutions in real-world conditions – from connected tram networks to smarter intersections and autonomous shuttle trials – using advanced algorithms and AI-driven analysis to optimise safety and efficiency.
By linking research, industry capability and live urban data, AIMES is supporting safer and more sustainable transport systems for expanding cities worldwide.
Key facts
- FACULTY: Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
- SECTOR: Intelligent transport technology; Smart cities
- Year founded: 2016
- IMPACT PATHWAY: Partnership
- SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS ADDRESSED: Sustainable Cities and Communities; Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
ECOSYSTEM SUPPORT:
- $3.2M C-ITS National Harmonisation and Pre-deployment project (Australian Government; NSW, QLD, SA, VIC and WA departments of transport; Transport Accident Commission; ITS Australia)
- $150K Stocktake and Roadmap for Vehicle Technology Deployments (Austroads)
First published on 23 June 2026.
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