New road initiatives rolling out this year
Several new road initiatives are set to be introduced this year, as government plans to trial out new technology in 2025.
From wireless solar powered signs advising motorists of new hazards to in-road pods that collect data on traffic volume and speed, these initiatives will be trialled on regional roads as part of the NSW government's $5 million Smarter Highways program.
Each trial will feature technology that detects an issue on the road, which will activate the Smarter Highway Activated Vehicle and Environment Systems (SHAVES) to warn drivers about hazards.
The system will have self-adaptive electronic signage which will be able to predict events and advise motorist, including bad weather and animals approaching the road.
The signs will communicate with each other using localised radio communications.
The NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Jenny Aitchison said that the introduction of the technology aims to "reduce risky driving actions such as not driving to the conditions".
They are also trialling a new in-road 4G traffic counter device which can detect and provide info on vehicle volumes, speeds, road temperatures and system health among other information in real time.
It is being trialled on the Great Western Highway at Kelso and the Newell Highway at Dubbo, with its use particularly important for the start and end of holidays and during special events.
“The more information you can give to the motoring public about an incident early, the better,” NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury told Yahoo News.
“We’ve always said more needs to be done to alert people earlier when there is an incident. It gives them the time they need to make a judgement on whether they need to proceed along a different route, or delay their journey”.
The NRMA supports the trials and introduction of the new technology, with Khoury saying: "the more we are relying on new technology to make our roads more efficient and safer, the better the outcome for the public.”
Here are the five Smarter Highways trials this year
1. Smarter Highway Activated Vehicle and Environmental Systems (SHAVES)- Self-adaptive electronic signage able to predict events and advise motorists of hazards.
2. Road Pod Vehicle Magnetometer - 4G powered devices in the road to provide data on traffic volumes, vehicle speeds and other issues.
3. Rural Intersection Activated Warning System - Road sensors advise motorists through Variable Speed Limit signs of a slow and large vehicle entering from a side road.
4. Improved local area traffic management during major disruptions
5. Permanent Congestion Management - Using radars and traffic signals to manage traffic congestion at a notorious breakdown location in the Blue Mountains.
Image: NSW Govt