Through the Impact Extension Program (IEP) program we sought to accelerate the evolution of ideas, products and services arising from our existing research programs that will make a significant contribution to the transport and mobility sector.
The IEP has been run twice now, awarding funding to two projects in 2023, and eight projects in 2025.
The IEP program contributes to iMOVE’s overarching mission to advance the development and adoption of technologies that improve Australia’s transport systems, through high-impact R&D collaborations.
iMOVE funded 100% of all IEP projects.
“The Impact Extension Program ( IEP) is an initiative of the iMOVE Co-operative Research Centre to expand the scope of its applied research activity and to maximise the benefits it can deliver to the Australian transport sector and the community.
The long duration of CRC’s (typically 10 years) enables them to pursue programs of effort not just one-off projects. It also enables the CRC to match the flow of funds to sector demand for research, and to earn interest on funds that are held over from one period to a later period.
It is this interest income that has enabled iMOVE to offer the IEP program to the sector, over and above its regular research program. iMOVE has now run two rounds of its IEP and will support 10 IEP projects in total with $3.7M of grant funding.
I was impressed by the size of the response to this opportunity both times around. We received 77 applications to the first round and a huge 155 applications to the second. From these we identified the best project proposals offering a combination of ‘scale of expected impact’ and ‘likelihood of expected impact being delivered.
The number of bid winners was limited by the available cash, and that meant that many fine proposals had to be left behind.
To those of you who presented a fine but unsuccessful application, I encourage you to consider converting your project idea into a conventional iMOVE project, potentially by teaming up with your lead customer to pull together your contribution of 50% of project costs.
The successful applications are all described here. IEP1 projects are now complete and you can find information on their outcomes below. IEP2 projects will all finish in late 2026 and we look forward to reporting on the outcomes at that point.”
Ian Christensen, iMOVE Managing Director
IEP2
In April 2025 iMOVE announced that it would run a second Impact Extension Program (IEP2). It was decided that funds were to be awarded to a small portfolio of impactful projects, with funding in the range of $100,000 (minimum) to $500,000 (maximum) excluding GST.
The judges awarded funding to 8 projects, all listed below, with links to full articles outlining the projects’ background and objectives.
All IEP2 projects will be completed by September 2026.
The Trusted Transport Positioning System
This project will deploy and test the utility of the new Local Positioning System technology in four high-value transport use cases that focus on providing locational tracking for transport assets like normal and connected and automated vehicles where existing solutions do not,for example in underground tunnels where GPS does not work.
Read the full article about The Trusted Transport Positioning System project.
Optimising ambulance logistics for time-critical emergencies
Ambulance services require logistics optimisation to improve patient outcomes in time-critical medical emergencies. With cooperation from ambulance services nationwide, this project will deploy transport and logistics models to anticipate and design next-generation delivery models for emergency medical services across Australian capital city contexts.
Read the full article about the Optimising ambulance logistics for time-critical emergencies project.
Powering the future of freight: Electric trailers and dollies
Australia has the most progressive regulations for heavy vehicle configurations, enabling the operation of larger, longer, and more efficient freight combinations than those permitted in most other countries. As a result, Australia faces a unique set of challenges when transitioning its road freight sector to low- or zero-emissions alternatives. At the centre of this project is an electric converter dolly, designed for seamless integration with Australia’s multi-trailer high-productivity vehicle configurations.
Read the full article about the Powering the future of freight: Electric trailers and dollies project.
AI-powered data dashboard for cycling safety and planning
See.Sense Insight is an innovative data intelligence platform designed to help cities plan safer and more effective cycling infrastructure. Supported by iMOVE, the project partners with the City of Sydney and Surf Coast Shire Council to pilot the technology using 400 See.Sense smart bike lights.
These devices collect detailed behavioural data, such as swerving, braking, and surface conditions, which is then translated into predictive safety insights for planners.
Read the full article about the AI-powered data dashboard for cycling safety and planning project.
Accelerating Auracast use: Everyone should hear what matters
This project will explore how a new Bluetooth technology called Auracast™ can help people with disability hear important information-like announcements and safety messages more clearly in public places.
Auracast lets audio be sent directly to hearing aids, earbuds, or smartphones, without the need for special equipment. The project will test Auracast and investigate how hearing loops can work together during a transition period.
Read the full article about the Accelerating Auracast use: Everyone should hear what matters project.
Safety on our Songlines: Equity in First Nations road safety
This project is a collaboration between Murris on the Move Driving School and Queensland University of Technology, to improve road safety outcomes with First Nations communities. It aims to co-adapt the Pre-learner Driver Education Program for cultural relevance with the Cherbourg community and co-develop the blueprints of a data sovereign internal booking system for future development and implementation into other First Nation communities.
Read the full article about the Safety on our Songlines: Equity in First Nations road safety project.
Utrecht to Australia: Unlocking scalable, low-cost V2G
Utrecht to Australia is a pioneering research and development project, focused on adapting the proven, internationally leading Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) model from Dutch city Utrecht to the Australian context. The project will analyse the features that enabled Utrecht’s success and reframe them to suit Australia’s distinct energy and mobility landscape.
Read the full article about the Utrecht to Australia: Unlocking scalable, low-cost V2G project.
RideScore: Safe cycling routes to school
RideScore is an incentive-based program aimed at increasing active travel to and from school. The digital platform uses Bluetooth technology that provides real-time notifications to parents on the arrival and departure of students riding and scooting to and from school.
In order for RideScore to be replicated in schools across Australia, this project will transition the cloud application to a more secure, multi-tenanted environment that can support multiple clients, with website and hardware upgrades.
Read the full article about the RideScore: Safe cycling routes to school project.
IEP1
In June 2023 iMOVE Australia announced the launch of its first Impact Extension Program,an extension of opportunities to work with us to innovate in the transport and mobility space. (IEP1)
We announced the two winners in August 2023, and the two projects funded appear below.
See Me: Transforming passenger experience on public transport
The See Me app is set to transform the public transport experience for Australia’s blind and vision-impaired community. It is designed to empower people when using a bus by making it more accessible for all. With existing trials in place this project will enable the developers of See Me the opportunity to expand the app’s current functionality.
OneDock: Supercharging e-micromobility
microFleet Pty Ltd is developing novel Australian technology – OneDock universal e-micromobility charging stations – to accelerate urban integration. OneDock automatically locks, safely charges and facilitates sharing of any e-micromobility vehicle, whether privately-owned or part of a public or corporate fleet.