Smart traffic light technology to reduce congestion

The New South Wales government has announced a trial to use smart traffic light technology to tackle congestion.

Minister for Roads, Duncan Gay, said the technology would reduce the number of times trucks would have to stop at traffic lights.

“Heavy vehicles take a long time to stop and start which can cause delays for all road users,” Gay said.

“This trial will detect a heavy vehicle approaching traffic lights and provide more green time, which will hopefully show us how we can ease delays for all motorists across the whole network in the future.”

The trial will affect around 110 trucks using the latest Cooperative Intelligent Transport System technology, which allows vehicles to communicate with road infrastructure.

The technology is expected to improve travel time at more than 100 intersections across Sydney.

“The results of this project will inform the way we look at incorporating connected vehicle technology on other vehicles and is a key step towards making Sydney infrastructure-ready for connected and automated vehicles in the future,” Gay said.

“With congestion increasing we are looking at all of our options and putting in place immediate measures to tackle congestion while work on major road projects such as WestConnex and NorthConnex continues.”

Congestion is reported to cost Sydney about $5 billion each year.

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