Driverless cars could traverse Sydney by 2035 and runaway pets would be reunited with their owners through an electronic alert, under high-tech solutions to everyday problems being considered by the NSW government.
The Premier's Innovation Initiative "crowdsourced" solutions from the community and public sector on congestion and other policy conundrums. More than 300 submissions have been whittled down to a shortlist of about 30.
They include the MyPet app that allows owners to register an alert if their pet is lost, and receive notification if it is found wandering.
It would link pet owners, shelters and volunteer rescuers, and help to manage pet information and find homes for abandoned animals.
The idea was submitted by Mini Kitty Commune, an animal rescue charity. MyPet manager Melanie Bradshaw-Dunn said the app responded to "community concern around animal welfare and the many pets left in NSW animal shelters".
"Our app is designed to link shelters, people, vets and services to help locate lost animals. We are hoping to not just create new pet families, but also return time to volunteers and shelter workers," she said.
The government also saw promise in a proposed trial paving the way for self-driving vehicles.
The plan, involving information technology research group NICTA and wireless technology company Cohda, would test communication between vehicles, and communication between vehicles and infrastructure such as traffic lights and speed signs.
NICTA transport director Rob Fitzpatrick said in the short term the technology would make driving safer.
"Speed signs [could] have a little chip emanating a message that's picked up by the vehicle saying you are now entering a 50 zone or a school zone," he said.
Such technology could also slow down speeding cars, or alert motorists if another nearby car appeared set to run a red light.
As the technology developed, in 20 years' time "we will start seeing situations where there will be driverless cars" on Sydney roads, Mr Fitzpatrick predicted, adding such vehicles were already used in the mining industry.
A shortlisted proposal by Genix Ventures would improve congestion by encouraging motorists to log their destinations before they leave home.
This data would be used to recommend the fastest routes, potentially encouraging the use of side roads to reduce demand on major roads. The company's managing director Steven Godinho said it would also help ensure traffic lights were timed to optimise vehicle flow.
The government has sought more detail on the shortlisted proposals. Premier Mike Baird said the government "doesn't have all the answers and there is enormous diversity of ideas and breadth of skill out there in the community ... we are excited to see some of the ideas become a reality."
