Skip to main content

New Zealand launches draft ITS plan

The New Zealand Government has released a draft intelligent transport systems action plan for public consultation. The plan, announced by by Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee, is open for consultation until 17 January 2014. It and sets out the government’s strategic plans takes a high-level, multimodal multi-agency approach to the introduction of new ITS technologies in New Zealand over the next four years. New Zealand has some specific challenges to the introduction of intelligent transport systems in
November 21, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
The New Zealand Government has released a draft intelligent transport systems action plan for public consultation.  The plan, announced by by Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee, is open for consultation until 17 January 2014.  It and sets out the government’s strategic plans takes a high-level, multimodal multi-agency approach to the introduction of new ITS technologies in New Zealand over the next four years.

New Zealand has some specific challenges to the introduction of intelligent transport systems including low population density, distance from international markets, the long narrow form of the country and the limited number of alternative routes should state highways or the main trunk line be unavailable.

“Intelligent transport systems have the potential to transform the operation of all modes of transport, but it is important that is introduced in a coordinated way so as to get the greatest benefit for New Zealand.

“I have asked the Ministry of Transport to lead the consultation to confirm that the government’s strategic aims are clear and that they will identify and remove barriers to the introduction of intelligent transport systems,” says Brownlee.

Brownlee says New Zealand already has some intelligent transport systems technologies in use. “Traffic control centres in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch rely heavily on technology to gather information on traffic conditions, adjust traffic signals and provide real-time information for travellers in order to operate the network efficiently.

“These deliver real-time congestion information to road users, and are increasing the carrying capacity of the Auckland motorway system by using motorway ramp signals.

“Vehicle manufacturers are also introducing advanced driver assistance systems such as self-parking cars and blind spot warning systems.”

Related Content

  • ANPR developments in the Spanish market
    February 2, 2012
    Gonzalo García Palacios, R&D engineer with Quality Information Systems, writes about ANPR developments in the Spanish market In an increasing number of countries, Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems are a growing market. They have become a fundamental part of many ITS systems, whether publicly or privately owned, and essential to any user which looks seriously to give the best services to its customers or wants to improve its facilities' performance.
  • Big data, virtualisation to dominate smart transportation says ABI Research
    January 6, 2015
    ABI Research’s latest report, Smart Transportation Market Research, covers ITS data, physical roadside transportation infrastructure virtualisation technologies and a systems approach to transportation management, as well as relevant connectivity, analytics, cloud platform, security and identity technologies. Traditional smart transportation approaches to address traffic congestion, safety, pollution, and other urbanisation challenges are expected to hit scalability and efficiency obstacles by the end of
  • Underinvestment in infrastructure threatens economic growth
    January 24, 2012
    The 2011 Urban Mobility Report from the Texas Transportation Institute highlights the dangers of continued underinvestment in transportation infrastructure but also offers some hope in terms of possible solutions
  • Debating road user charging systems
    January 26, 2012
    Are pre-launch trials of charging systems the way to improve public acceptance? Or is the real key a more robust political attitude? Here, leading system suppliers discuss the issue. The use of distance-based Road User Charging (RUC) is now well established, at least for heavy goods vehicles on strategic roads. However demand management for all vehicles, whether a distance-based charge or some form of cordon scheme, has yet to make significant progress. This is in spite of the logic and equity of RUC being