A new program of low-cost technology trials has been launched on highways across regional NSW to prompt safer driving behaviour in 2025.
The Smarter Highways program will utilise technology to address driver behavioural issues that can lead to crashes, with an overall aim to improve journey management – especially when major disruptions occur.
The $5 million program will utilise wireless solar-powered systems that can be installed cheaply and easily and can be tailored to suit their specific sites and take road conditions into account.
Transport for NSW will trial the technologies on state managed highways but also consider how they could be adapted for use on local roads in partnership with councils.
Five different technologies will be utilised as part of the trials:
- Smarter Highway Activated Vehicle and Environmental Systems, aka SHAVES, are self-adaptive electronic signage which is able to predict events and provide motorists with advance warning of hazards. It is designed to replace the current process where maintenance crews are required to install variable message signs in high-risk areas.
- Permanent traffic counters, aka Road Pod Vehicle Magnetometers, can detect and provide vehicle volumes, classifications, speeds, headways, road temperatures and system health in real time. The data collected by the solar-powered 4G system can then be provided via NSW Traffic Viewer
- Rural Intersection Activated Warning System, aka RIAW, is currently also under trial in Victoria, and involves sensors on a side road approaching a high-speed main road that trigger variable speed limit signs which instruct drivers on the main road to slow down.
- Permanent congestion management will utilise existing radar and traffic signal technology to enable dynamic management of traffic congestion at notorious breakdown locations at Victoria Pass during peak periods such as holiday periods or events like the Bathurst 1000.
- An undetermined technology trial to use technology to provide safe, reliable access in times of events that cause disruptions on roads.
Currently, only the permanent traffic counters (Greater Western Highway, Kelso and Newell Highway, Dubbo), and permanent congestion management (Victoria Pass) have confirmed trial sites.
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison says regional areas are perfect for conducting trials of these technologies as driving is often the only transport option in the regions.
“What’s so important about Smarter Highways is the technology’s focus is to effect behavioural change and reduce risky driving actions, such as not driving to the conditions, that we know contribute to deaths and injuries on our roads,” Aitchison says.
“I’m glad the Smarter Highways technology will be trialled in the regions because outside of the cities, driving is often the only available form of transport and sometimes there are no alternative routes, so we need to make those journeys safer.
“Key to these innovations is improving safety for road crews by reducing the risks of carrying out works near traffic.
“The aim is to minimise the amount of time work crews have to spend in live traffic environments by increasing the use of remotely controlled traffic operations, which creates a safer work environment.”
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