Planning and Transport Research Centre (PATREC)

What Planning and Transport Research Centre (PATREC) does

PATREC (Planning and Transport Research Centre) is a collaborative research centre hosted at the University of Western Australia, established in 1993. The centre conducts applied research across six thematic areas: integrated land use-transport planning and modelling; sustainable and resilient communities; smarter travel decisions; freight system optimisation and decarbonisation; intelligent transport systems and AI-driven mobility analytics; and transport infrastructure decarbonisation. Its primary clients are Western Australian government agencies — the Department of Transport, Main Roads WA, the Public Transport Authority, and the Western Australian Planning Commission — which together co-fund research priorities and govern output through Research Advisory Committees (PRAC and CARAC) and the PATREC Board, supplemented by Curtin University, Edith Cowan University, and the WA Local Government Association.

PATREC's technology portfolio centres on applied analytics and decision-support software rather than commercial product lines. Core tools include RoadSense Video Analytics, which processes drone and fixed-camera video to extract traffic counts, trajectories, and conflict hotspots; the RailSmart planning support dashboard for land use-transport integration; Pulse of Perth, a SmartRider patronage visualisation platform; and the Transport Predictive Solution, an AI-powered real-time decision support tool for traffic operations centres. Additional capabilities include IoT and computer-vision systems for smart bridge health monitoring, low-powered edge cameras for pedestrian and cyclist surveys, and the Australian Transport Research Cloud (ATRC) data infrastructure extending the AURIN national platform.

Revenue is generated entirely through collaborative research arrangements rather than commercial sales. Funding flows from three streams: core and project funding from WA government partners; participation in iMOVE CRC collaborative research projects; and competitive grant funding from bodies such as the National Road Safety Action Grants Program and the Australian Research Data Commons (ARDC). The organisation operates without disclosed pricing, subscription revenue, or distribution to commercial customers, reflecting its position as a publicly funded research centre rather than a commercial software vendor.

Name

Planning and Transport Research Centre (PATREC)

Legal name

Planning and Transport Research Centre (PATREC)

Website

https://patrec.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

PATREC is a University of Western Australia-hosted research centre that delivers applied research in transport, land use, and climate action for Western Australian government agencies, producing AI-driven analytics, planning support tools, and policy studies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Transport Planning Research

NAICS

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Sector & Policy Consulting (BPAHACAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

Climate Finance, Carbon Markets & MRV Systems (BPADALAB)

Keywords

• Transport planning research
• Urban land use modelling
• Travel demand analysis
• Traffic video analytics
• Freight network optimisation

Headquarters

HQ city

Perth (Crawley)

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government Research Partnerships: PATREC receives core funding and project funding from government partners including Department of Transport, Main Roads WA, Public Transport Authority, and WA Planning Commission through collaborative research arrangements.
2. iMOVE CRC Collaborative Research: PATREC participates in iMOVE Cooperative Research Centre projects with funding from industry and government partners for specific applied research initiatives.
3. Grant Funding: PATREC receives project funding from various grant programs including National Road Safety Action Grants Program, Australian Research Data Commons (ARDC), and other research funding bodies.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

PATREC is a university-hosted collaborative research centre that conducts applied, evidence-based research in transport, land-use planning and climate action for Western Australian government agencies. It delivers consulting-style research projects, technical reports, peer-reviewed papers, and proprietary software tools such as the RoadSense Video Analytics platform, the RailSmart planning support dashboard, and AI-driven traffic analytics, supported by major WA transport and planning datasets including the Perth Area Travel and Household Survey.

Product overview

PATREC is a collaborative research center at the University of Western Australia that conducts applied research across six focus areas: Integrated Land Use-Transport Planning & Modelling, Sustainable & Resilient Communities, Smarter Travel Decisions, Technology for Integrated Freight System Optimisation, Intelligent Transport Systems & AI-Driven Mobility Analytics, and Transport Infrastructure Decarbonisation. The organization produces research outputs including technical reports, published papers, and software tools. Key software products include RoadSense Video Analytics for drone and fixed-camera traffic analysis, the RailSmart Wanneroo Planning Support System for land use-transport planning, the Pulse of Perth data visualization platform, and the Transport Predictive Solution for AI-powered traffic prediction. These tools are developed in collaboration with government partners including Main Roads WA, Department of Transport, and various research institutions, serving policymakers and practitioners in Western Australia's transport and planning sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• RoadSense Video Analytics UWA-developed video analytics software for systematically processing and analysing drone and fixed-camera footage to collect observational data on user behaviours, movement patterns and conflict hotspots for road safety and active transport research.
• Drone Video Analytics for Roundabout Modelling Drone video analytics system for evidence-based parameter estimation to improve roundabout modelling and operational guidelines, with dedicated models at micro-, meso- and macroscopic levels.
• RailSmart Wanneroo Planning Support System Proof-of-concept data-driven web dashboard for evidence-based land use and transport planning, used to test future development scenarios in terms of employment creation and public transport patronage, demonstrated for the City of Wanneroo.
• Pulse of Perth Data visualisation tool analysing SmartRider patronage data to visualise and understand public transport travel patterns across metropolitan Perth, including passenger movements and service flows.
• Transport Predictive Solution AI-powered real-time decision support tool for traffic operations centres enabling faster prediction and response to congestion and unplanned network events through AI and machine-learning-based model calibration.
• Australian Transport Research Cloud (ATRC) Online research infrastructure platform providing researchers and practitioners streamlined access to key transport datasets and open-source modelling tools, extending the AURIN platform.
• AURIN-WA Node (Climate Action in Transport and Land Use Planning - CATLUP) Climate-action focused data and tools infrastructure supporting indicator-based monitoring for resource efficiency and environmental performance towards net zero emissions in transport and land use planning.
• Low-Powered Edge Camera System Vision-based, low-powered edge device for pedestrian and cyclist traffic surveys, capable of off-grid operation for remote and regional applications.
• Smart Bridge Health Monitoring System Integrated package of IoT, computer vision, and machine learning technologies for smart bridge structural health monitoring and maintenance prediction, with focus on remote and regional applications.
• Realtime Intersection Delay Estimation Model Pilot model utilizing signal timing data to estimate overall delay at intersections in real-time without requiring additional sensor equipment.
• e-Rider Mobile App Mobile application (Android and iOS) for tracking e-rideable trips, emissions and physical activity data collection to support sustainable urban mobility research.
• Applied Transport and Planning Research Services Multidisciplinary applied research services covering integrated land use-transport planning and modelling, sustainable and resilient communities, smarter travel decisions, freight system optimisation, intelligent transport systems and AI-driven mobility analytics, and transport infrastructure decarbonisation, delivered to WA government agencies and collaborating universities.
• Tour-based Mode Choice Model Behaviourally realistic strategic transport model under development for Department of Transport WA using Perth's 2018-2022 PATHS survey data, supporting mode choice and travel behaviour analysis at the tour level.
• Battery-Electric Bus Feasibility Study Applied research project assessing the feasibility of battery-electric buses for regional school bus services in Western Australia with the Public Transport Authority.
• Enhancing Active Transport Infrastructure Through Video Analytics and Community Reporting Project combining video analytics with a mobile-friendly crowdsourced incident reporting web portal to improve safety of shared active transport paths in Perth, funded by the National Road Safety Action Grants Program.

Quantifiable outcome

• Active transport safety data collection framework developed for systematic safety data collection
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability7 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered supporting and core.

• Nagoya UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Japanese university partner in collaborative research workshops and symposia. Part of delegation including University of Tokyo and Gifu University visiting PATREC to explore common research interests for collaborative activities.
• University of TokyosupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Japanese university partner participating in collaborative workshop with PATREC researchers to understand common research interests and develop collaborative activities in transport and planning.
• Gifu UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Japanese university partner in collaborative workshop exploring autonomous solutions and mobility research with PATREC researchers.
• Department of Transport (Western Australia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore collaborating partner providing research priorities and funding for transport planning research. Works with PATREC through the PATREC Research Advisory Committee (PRAC) to identify, plan and monitor core funded applied research projects.
• Main Roads Western AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates on road infrastructure research including freight route optimization, roundabout modelling, vehicle detection technology, and traffic network projects. Participates in PRAC governance structure.
• Public Transport Authority (Western Australia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates on public transport research including school bus electrification feasibility and public transport demand studies.
• Western Australian Planning CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore government partner in land use-transport integration research and planning policy development. Participates in PATREC governance through Board representation.
• WA Local Government AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRepresents local government interests in transport and planning research. Participates in PATREC Board and PRAC governance structures.
• University of Western AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost institution for PATREC. Provides academic leadership, research facilities, and access to researchers across multiple disciplines including transport planning, engineering, and data analytics.
• Curtin UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating university partner contributing researchers from School of Design and the Built Environment, School of Electrical Engineering, Computing and Mathematical Sciences, and other faculties.
• Edith Cowan UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating university partner contributing to multidisciplinary research team.
• iMOVE CRC (Cooperative Research Centre)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner on applied transport research projects including working from home studies, freight analysis, battery-electric buses, and micromobility research. Provides additional funding and industry connection for research initiatives.
• AURIN (Australian Urban Research Infrastructure Network)coreTechnology or IntegrationProvides urban research data infrastructure and platform access. PATREC contributes to AURIN's national data infrastructure agenda with Director Prof Biermann serving on AURIN's Scientific Advisory Committee.
• ARDC (Australian Research Data Commons)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates on Australian Transport Research Cloud (ATRC) project providing streamlined access to key transport datasets and open-source modelling tools for researchers.
• RAC (Western Australia)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAutomobile club partner collaborating on Smart Transport Technology Roadmap for Perth and Pulse of Perth travel pattern visualization project.
• Telethon Kids InstitutesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner on Trek2School project investigating active school transport in Perth, examining factors influencing walking and cycling to school.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI): State-owned Swedish transport research institute delivering applied research on roads, rail, and mobility; comparable as a government-funded applied transport research organisation, though focused on Swedish rather than WA priorities.
• New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (Research): New Zealand's national transport agency commissioning and conducting transport research and modelling; comparable as a government-facing transport research and policy organisation in a similar transport policy environment to WA.

Broad incumbents

• Transport Research Board (TRB): US-based major transport research programme operating at significantly larger scale across all transport modes; comparable in applied transport and planning research mandate and government-facing advisory role.
• AECOM (Transport Planning, ANZ): Global infrastructure consultancy with significant transport planning and intelligent transport systems capability serving Australian government clients; comparable as a commercial provider of transport planning and modelling services to agencies like those PATREC serves.
• WSP Australia (Transport Advisory): Global professional services firm with a large transport planning and advisory practice serving Australian state and federal agencies; comparable in providing transport modelling, planning, and policy advisory services to government clients.

Others

• AURIN (Australian Urban Research Infrastructure Network): National research infrastructure network providing urban and transport datasets to Australian researchers; comparable as an enabling ecosystem partner that supplies the data infrastructure on which PATREC's transport and planning analysis depends.

Emerging players

• RMIT University Centre for Urban Research: University-based urban and transport research group producing applied research for state and local government on mobility, planning, and sustainability; overlaps with PATREC's integrated land use-transport planning focus.
• Monash University Institute of Transport Studies: University-based transport research centre in Victoria delivering applied research, modelling, and policy work for state government; comparable as a peer university-hosted transport research centre serving state-level transport policy needs.

Direct peers

• iMOVE CRC (Cooperative Research Centre): Australia's primary transport-focused Cooperative Research Centre, jointly funded by industry and government to deliver applied transport research; directly comparable to PATREC in mission, partner model, and project portfolio, and is itself a PATREC partner.
• Australian Road Research Board (ARRB Group): National road and transport applied-research organisation providing research, consulting, and testing services to Australian road agencies; directly comparable as a transport research provider serving state road authorities with similar applied research outputs.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/planning-and-transport-research-centre

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Planning and Transport Research Centre (PATREC)