Future transport summit kicks off in Sydney

More than 500 guests on Monday attended the first day of "Future Transport Summit" in Sydney, aimed at transforming Sydney's transport system.

The summit headlined by Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, will assist the New South Wales (NSW) state government in furthering technology use in the sector.

NSW state Transport and Infrastructure Minister Andrew Constance said the future was clearly being driven by technology and the government was not prepared to sit around waiting any longer.

"For too long, NSW has lagged behind the world when it comes to transport but that's changing," Constance said in a statement.

"Transport is a technology business and this Summit is just the start of what I expect to see more of in NSW over the coming years."

The NSW state government also announced plans for a new innovation center in Sydney's west, which will be used to accommodate driverless car trials.

"To prepare for the arrival of automated vehicles in the Australian car market, we're working closely with our federal and interstate counterparts examining the necessary legislative, regulatory and road design changes. We want to get this right," NSW state Roads Minister Duncan Gay added.

"This hub is going to support and optimise the outcomes of the introduction of automated vehicles as well as look at solutions for congestion and road safety." Endit