Transport Insights regularly conducts research and environmental scans to understand the trends and issues likely to affect the transport system and the Western Australian community in the future.
There are many factors that affect how we live, work and play. Some of these are only partly in our control and others are out of our control, but all have consequences for how and why we get around.
Below are some of the key issues we are looking at closely.
Changes in ways of working, studying, shopping and conducting other business
Remote working and distance-learning have become more prevalent since the COVID-19 pandemic and demand for these ways of working and studying have spurred the evolution of enabling technologies.
Technology and evolving labour models are also enabling more e-commerce and home deliveries.
These factors are having an ongoing effect on travel activity and DTMI continues to explore how changed commuting patterns and travel to and from tertiary education have affected:
- mode choice
- travel on different weekdays
- wider travel patterns, such as local trip making and the frequency of trips for other purposes, such as shopping and recreation.
Understanding how Perth’s community moves isn’t just about counting trips – it’s about spotting the trends and behaviours shaping our city’s future.
Changing trade dynamics
International trade is a key driver of WA’s economy. Periods of economic growth and downturns associated with changing trade dynamics, including supply chain disruptions, have varied effects.
These effects include shaping consumer buying habits and influencing how and why members of the community use the transport system.
We have recently seen the effects of major international events on supply chains with consequences such as fuel price rises. Transport Insights is investigating what these consequences mean for travel behaviour.
Climate change effects and consumer responses
Greenhouse gas mitigation and climate change adaptation efforts are leading to changes in system design and the ways that travel occurs.
The shift from combustion engine vehicles to alternatives such as electric vehicles (EVs) is a significant part of global greenhouse gas reduction strategies. As new EV models become more widely available, the automotive market will be impacted. DTMI publishes quarterly data on EVs licensed in WA.
This change is influencing the composition of vehicle fleets, which in turn is affecting fuel consumption patterns and demand for alternative energy sources.
Uptake of new technology is not uniform across the population. Affordability, individual behaviours and other factors influence this.
Additionally, we support investigations into travel demand management opportunities and mode shift, given their potential for curbing emissions and delivering co-benefits such as improved public health and road safety outcomes.
Connected and automated vehicles
Connected and automated vehicle (CAV) technologies apply to motorised modes including private and fleet vehicles, freight and public transport.
CAV technologies will disrupt travel behaviour and how the transport system operates. Take up rates, higher levels of automation and ownership/operating models will have various effects on mobility patterns and traffic conditions. These effects may include more efficient freeway conditions as vehicles coordinate their movements – but more congestion in activity centres due to increased kerbside passenger pick-up and drop-off activity.
To find out more information visit the Automated vehicles page.
Population growth and demographic shifts
External forces including artificial intelligence and changing trade dynamics affect market conditions and competition. Meanwhile, population growth rates change due to shifting birth rates and migration. An aging population also affects the job market and wage rates.
These issues all point to the complex relationships between capital and labour and changing conditions for work and commerce into the future, which in turn, impacts people’s transport needs and choices.
Australia’s population growth has rebounded strongly post the COVID-19 pandemic. Greater Perth recorded the fastest population growth of any Australian Capital City, at 2.4 per cent in 2024-25. WA’s population is now over three million, with Greater Perth nearing 2.5 million.
Sharing economy and new mobility models and services
Technology-enabled business ideas produce new mobility models such as app-based ridesharing and influence transport decisions.
There is significant research into the effects of different mobility models elsewhere but comparatively little is known about use and implications in WA. Some mobility services, like eScooter share schemes, are very visible in parts of Perth, Peel and regional WA, whereas others, like car sharing, that are obvious in cities outside of WA, have relatively little local presence.