Light rail is having a huge resurgence across the world, including in Australia. Melbourne has the world’s largest tram network, but what can we learn from these new systems?  This seminar will focus on lessons learned from the operation of Melbourne’s light rail network, benchmarking of interstate and international light rail networks and the development of Australia’s newest light rail systems in Newcastle, Canberra, Sydney and the Gold Coast.

Guest Speakers:

Emilie Van de Graaff: Director, Passenger and Network Innovation, Keolis Downer (Yarra Trams)

Emilie believes that a sustainable public transport system forms an integral part of a liveable city, contributing to positive outcomes for the citizens, visitors and the environment.  Emilie works closely with the Department of Transport; her role encompasses network planning and development, passenger experience and marketing, accessibility and innovation. She has 20 years’ experience in the transport sector, having worked at Transdev from 2011 to early 2017 and prior to that, eleven years in the UK, firstly for a public transport authority and later in a transport planning consultancy.

Scott Elaurant: Director and Principal, Six Cats Consulting

Scott Elaurant is a transport planner with 35 years’ experience in infrastructure planning and business cases. He worked for Jacobs for 13 years in South Australia and prior to that for Queensland Transport and Main Roads. In recent years Scott has focused on light rail and other public transport projects. He was transport planning lead for the Auckland Light Rail. He was transport planning or concept design lead for the Glenelg Tram Stage1, Stage 2 and Tram Overpass. Previously for QTMR he worked on a proposed Brisbane Light Rail, South East Transit Busway and route planning for the Gold Coast LRT. Scott is a member of the US Transport Research Board Light Rail Committee. He is the chair of Transport Australia Society for South Australia. As Six Cats Consulting, Scott offers services in planning and economics for active transport, public transport (particularly light rail) and streetscapes.