Australia is taking a bold step towards improving road safety and reducing traffic congestion with the launch of innovative technology trials under the Smarter Highways program in 2025. This ambitious initiative by the New South Wales (NSW) government promises to modernise the nation’s busiest roads through advanced systems that adapt to real-time conditions.
By employing cutting-edge tools such as solar-powered signage, in-road data collectors, and predictive communication systems, the program seeks to address challenges posed by traffic incidents, severe weather, and driver behaviour. These developments aim to create safer and more efficient roadways for the public.
SHAVES : Predictive Technology to Alert Drivers
The Smarter Highways Activated Vehicle and Environmental Systems (SHAVES) are central to the program, featuring self-adaptive electronic signage that can identify and predict potential road hazards. Using localised radio communication, these signs can respond in real time to changing conditions such as fog, heavy rain, or the presence of animals, offering timely alerts to drivers.
Additionally, the trial includes Rural Intersection Activated Warning Systems, designed to reduce accidents at rural junctions. These systems use sensors to detect large, slow-moving vehicles entering the road and adjust speed limits displayed on variable signage, giving drivers critical extra seconds to react.
According to Jenny Aitchison, NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, the focus is on fostering behavioural changes in drivers by providing precise information that promotes safer decision-making. Motorists’ advocacy group NRMA has strongly backed these initiatives, emphasising the importance of alerting drivers early about potential hazards to minimise risky behaviour.
Advanced Data Collection for Better Traffic Management
Another major element of the program is the deployment of Road Pod Vehicle Magnetometers, innovative 4G-enabled devices installed within the road surface. These devices collect and transmit detailed traffic data, including vehicle speeds, volumes, and classifications, as well as road temperature. This real-time information will help authorities monitor traffic conditions more accurately and implement better management strategies.
In areas like the Blue Mountains, where congestion is a recurring issue, radars and advanced traffic signals will also be tested to improve flow and prevent breakdowns during peak periods. The program aims to streamline movement during busy times, such as holiday seasons, ensuring smoother commutes and fewer delays.
NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury welcomed the trials, stressing that adopting new technologies is vital for creating a safer and more efficient road network. “But the more we are relying on new technology to make our roads more efficient and safer, the better the outcome for the public” he stated.
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