TfNSW Plans Upgrade Of Vehicle Testing Facility

The NSW Government is investing $30 million to significantly expand the Future Mobility Testing and Research Centre (FMTRC) in Cudal, paving the way for new highway speed and heavy vehicle testing.

Funded through the Community Road Safety Fund, the investment follows the purchase of 100 hectares of farmland adjacent to the existing site. Planned works include the expansion and construction of a 4.4-kilometre loop track, as well as a new heavy vehicle skid pad.

The upgrade will support the Centre’s team in increasing safety testing and research. This work involves enacting real-world scenarios at the centre to test vehicle safety features that help prevent crashes.

Since being established in 2019 the facility has delivered more than 85 test and research programs.

Transport for NSW will now begin planning and community consultation for the design of the new loop track, with construction set to commence in 2025.

Currently seven people are directly employed at the Centre with the expansion potentially leading to new future roles on site, as well as additional jobs to be generated throughout construction and delivery process.

The NSW Government is investing $30 million to expand the Future Mobility Testing and Research Centre

The Mobility Testing and Research Centre is the only government-owned and operated testing centre of its kind in the world and is foundational in ensuring all vehicles on NSW roads are road ready and safe.

Minister for Roads John Graham says the need for a new heavy vehicle testing space in the southern hemisphere was a key finding from extensive engagement with vehicle manufacturers, developers and researchers to map the future for the Cudal site.

“As light vehicles continue to become more advanced, there is also a need to uplift testing capabilities to keep up with new, increasingly automated, technology,” he adds.

“The new Cudal track will let the team test new driver assist systems in real-world scenarios, including heavy laden B-doubles travelling at highway speeds, and situations involving head-on approaches and merging safety with cars, trucks and motorcycles.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison says the cutting-edge facility attracts clients from across the globe, making NSW a leader in testing road safety aspects of autonomous vehicles that will save lives.

“Vehicle safety is a critical part of making our roads safer and independent modelling has shown that vehicle safety improvements have saved more than 700 lives over the past decade,” she says.

Since being established in 2019 the facility has delivered more than 85 test and research programs

“The Cudal centre is a part of our transport history as a former airport, and it is a vital part of our transport future, testing the next generation of safety technology.

“As the only government-owned and operated testing centre of its kind in the world, the Future Mobility Testing and Research Centre is a pillar of integrity in the safety and testing landscape.

“As more advanced safety features on vehicles become available, it’s increasingly important that these are rigorously tested so we can get them into our cars and onto our roads faster.”

Transport for NSW’s Director Future Mobility Evan Walker says the vision for the Future Mobility Testing and Research Centre is that it continues to grow as a world-class vehicle testing site.

“We’re acting on feedback directly from manufacturers, developers and industry about the kind of facility they need, and addressing a growing community and government need for confidence and assurance in vehicle safety as new technologies emerge,” he says.

“Our team ensures these systems do what they claim to and identifies the best emerging safety technology that we want to encourage more of on our roads to reduce the heavy cost of crashes on our community.”

The vision for the Centre is that it continues to grow as a world-class vehicle testing site

HVIA Chief Technical Officer Adam Ritzinger – who along with HVIA Director Robert Smedley recently visited the Centre – says HVIA has long advocated for a greater number of local and accessible test facilities that can accommodate heavy vehicles of all shapes and sizes.

It considers this an excellent opportunity to build local capacity and future-proof the in-country testing capabilities for the industry.

Transport for New South Wales wish to engage with members of the heavy vehicle industry who may seek to use the future facility, such that industry needs (e.g. skid pan size, test track length, pavement weight capacities, etc.) can be understood and catered for in the future upgrades.

Members are encouraged to get into contact with Adam Ritzinger (a.ritzinger@hiva.asn.au) to share their views.

To find out more about the Future Mobility Testing and Research Centre visit here or contact the team via future.mobility@transport.nsw.gov.au.