IPPG was engaged by Transport for NSW to conduct futures research to provide key insights on emerging technologies and business models and their implications for boating policy and safety.
The challenge
The Transport for NSW Centre for Maritime Safety (CMS) is responsible for strategy, policy, campaigns and industry relationships for the Government’s maritime program. This includes regulating NSW waterways, improving recreational boating safety, and providing safety management, environmental and infrastructure services.
As with other transport and industry sectors, boating is being impacted by emerging technologies and innovative, disruptive business and service models. These present a range of opportunities, risks and implications for boating policy and regulation, the boating industry and the wider boating community – particularly around boating safety outcomes. To inform the development of the new NSW Maritime Safety Plan 2021-2026, CMS engaged IPPG to deliver a horizon scan of emerging technologies and business models in the boating sector.
What we did
The project aimed to develop the evidence, insights and recommendations needed to enhance CMS’s awareness and understanding of the latest emerging technologies impacting on boating and identify the key priorities and areas to focus effort and resources.
The research involved gathering the latest evidence on emerging technologies through extensive desktop horizon scan research, drawing on a diverse range of international evidence sources and source types – including government and industry reports, academic research, media and grey literature. Horizon scan findings were tested with Australian and international regulators, stakeholders and subject matter experts through a Delphi exercise to validate, prioritise and rank identified trends and gather insights on potential impacts. Major global technology firms were also interviewed to provide broader context and perspective on the latest emerging and future technology trends in wider industries.
The evidence gathered through the research was analysed using a combination of futures thinking, qualitative and quantitative research techniques, including impact/certainty analysis, to deliver meaningful insights on priority issues for boating safety.
Outcome
A report was delivered to CMS setting out the detailed findings of the research, including analysis of individual identified technology and business model trends, and translating these into clear implications for CMS and boating safety. The report also set out clear, specific recommendations around priority issues, directions and potential actions to be considered. The research directly informed the content of the draft NSW Maritime Safety Plan that was published by Transport for NSW for public consultation in 2021.
