Skip to main content

Canberra plans high tech traffic management system

A consultant's report prepared for the Australian Capital Territory ACT) Roads department found that a full-scale rollout of intelligent transportation systems could cost about US$79 million but save US$116 million per year through lower rates of accidents and traffic delays. The government has included plans for a traffic management centre in its infrastructure, to be considered for future budget funding. The centre could eventually be linked to a network of cameras, road weather monitoring stations, v
January 21, 2014 Read time: 2 mins
A consultant's report prepared for the Australian Capital Territory ACT) Roads department found that a full-scale rollout of intelligent transportation systems could cost about US$79 million but save US$116 million per year through lower rates of accidents and traffic delays.

The government has included plans for a traffic management centre in its infrastructure, to be considered for future budget funding.  The centre could eventually be linked to a network of cameras, road weather monitoring stations, variable speed signs and electronic messaging boards on major roads.

Electronic messaging signs would display estimated travel times and advise motorists of delays and alternative routes in the event of congestion or accidents.

Canberra does not have a network of cameras for traffic monitoring and the report found that authorities were reliant on the public and media to report problems.

The report recommended installing electronic traffic measures in one area initially, with cameras to be activated on other major roads in central Canberra at the same time. The system would be gradually rolled out to other major roads.

The report also suggests the use of ramp metering techniques which detect gaps in the traffic on the main road and use traffic signals to stop cars before they travel down entrance ramps on to major roads if there is heavy traffic.

Related Content

  • September 26, 2019
    Sign language reduces human error says Clearview
    Wrong-way warning systems and advanced queue detection can help to reduce human error. They can also cut road accidents – and therefore road deaths, says Clearview Intelligence Where were nearly 1,800 deaths on the UK’s roads in 2018 – an average of five people dying each day. The largest single cause of serious injury is crashes at junctions (accounting for 33% of incidents), while the largest single cause of death was run-off road crashes (30%) “With vehicles increasingly being designed with saf
  • September 15, 2016
    Øresund bridges the front line for border crossing traffic
    Timothy Compston considers the challenges faced by the operators of the Øresund Bridge between Denmark and Sweden, the largest structure of its kind across Europe. In light of the concerns about the ongoing security threat and the unprecedented flow of migrants, many of the countries that make up the Schengen Area in Europe have re-introduced border controls. For its part, Sweden has rolled out ID checks for train, bus and ferry passengers from Denmark placing the landmark Øresund Bridge very much on the fr
  • March 29, 2017
    When speed compliance becomes a safety issue
    David Crawford finds that softly, softly can be safely, safely when it comes to speed enforcement. Comedians and controversial TV presenters have long made jokes about having to watch the speedometer so closely as they pass speed camera after speed camera that they mow down bus queues. But the joke may have some factual basis according to a study by researchers from the University of Western Australia.
  • November 23, 2022
    Last call for Canberra drivers
    Australian capital aims to crack down on motorists using their phones at the wheel