This Australian state is about to revolutionise road safety with groundbreaking technology—here’s how it’ll affect you

A new initiative aimed at transforming the way we experience road safety has been announced in an Australian state, sparking both excitement and intrigue.

What started as a pilot project quickly turned into a bold step towards improving the safety and efficiency of our highways.

This groundbreaking trial promises to reshape how we interact with the roads—offering unexpected twists that could impact every driver.



The NSW Government rolled out a $5 million initiative aimed at enhancing road safety in regional areas with a series of technology trials.


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NSW invests $5 million in road safety trials. Image source: Pexel/Fatih Özer


As part of the 'Smarter Highways' program, new and existing technologies were introduced, focusing on wireless, solar-powered systems that could also be applied to local roads.

The primary feature of this program was the Smarter Highway Activated Vehicle and Environmental Systems (SHAVES), which incorporated self-adaptive signage to alert drivers to environmental hazards, replacing traditional portable signs in high-risk zones.

These advanced signs could display three different warning types and boast full internet connectivity for real-time remote access.


Trial locations for SHAVES were yet to be confirmed at the time.

In addition to SHAVES, the program included the Road Pod Vehicle Magnetometer (VM), a permanent traffic counter designed to provide real-time data on vehicle volumes, classifications, speeds, and road conditions.

The VMs were easily installed in under an hour and were mainly used to track the effects of roadworks on traffic.


Key trial locations for the VMs included the Great Western Highway, Kelso and Newell Highway, and Dubbo.

One of the highlights of the trial was the introduction of the Rural Intersection Activated Warning System (RIAWS), which automatically urged drivers to slow down when a vehicle was approaching from a side road.

RIAWS had already been in use in Victoria since 2019, first deployed on the Glenelg Highway near Dunkeld.


The program also focused on improving traffic management during both planned and unplanned roadworks.

New traffic signals were set to be installed at Victoria Pass in the Blue Mountains, an area prone to vehicle breakdowns, especially during peak holiday periods.

These lights would help manage traffic flow when queues formed, ensuring safe access for stranded vehicles.

In 2019, the national road toll tragically claimed 1302 lives, with NSW recording the highest number of fatalities at 340.

The Christmas and New Year period saw the road toll rise by two-thirds compared to the previous year.

Key Takeaways
  • An Australian state has launched a $5 million trial to introduce high-tech solutions aimed at improving road safety, particularly in regional areas.
  • The program includes solar-powered, self-adaptive signage and permanent traffic counters that offer real-time data on road conditions and vehicle movements.
  • A new warning system will be trialled at rural intersections, urging drivers to slow down when vehicles approach from side roads.
  • These innovations are designed to reduce accidents and improve traffic flow, addressing the growing need for smarter road management.

What do you think about the rise of smart highways and their impact on your daily commute? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
 
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My ex wife was booked on the M1 Pacific Motorway some years ago for speeding. Apparently, the speed level drops from 110 km/h to 90 km/h during inclement weather.

She was driving through blazing sunshine on a practically dry road and was fined for exceeding the speed limit by more than 15 km/h. There was a short downpour 40 minutes before the booking.

Mt ex wife contested the fine in court and lost due to "insufficient evidence showing that it was safe to drive at 110 km/h under those conditions". And she holds a high position with the NSW Attorney-General's Department and is well conversant with NSW Traffic Law.

REVENUE RAISING AT ITS BEST! Care to argue the point?
 
As I read it, it is simply a warning system to alert drivers to potential dangers ahead. Can’t see it has anything to do with infringement fines. I only see it as a plus.
 
As I read it, it is simply a warning system to alert drivers to potential dangers ahead. Can’t see it has anything to do with infringement fines. I only see it as a plus.
But it is directly related to traffic monitoring.

In the 1990s, there was a short lived speed monitoring system on the F6 expressway south of Sydney. It would detect your speed and display it on overhead signs. People were soon using it as a "racetrack" device, saying "I got the F6 sign up to 225 km/h the other day!" and the like.

It was never used as a revenue raising device but was a forerunner of many revenue raising instruments such as point to point average speed detectors, mobile phone and seatbelt cameras.
 
Furthermore, the Smarter Highway Activated Vehicle and Environmental Systems (SHAVES) and the Rural Intersection Activated Warning System (RIAWS) only need minor tweaking to become an infringement issuing device.

Think about that!
 
My ex wife was booked on the M1 Pacific Motorway some years ago for speeding. Apparently, the speed level drops from 110 km/h to 90 km/h during inclement weather.

She was driving through blazing sunshine on a practically dry road and was fined for exceeding the speed limit by more than 15 km/h. There was a short downpour 40 minutes before the booking.

Mt ex wife contested the fine in court and lost due to "insufficient evidence showing that it was safe to drive at 110 km/h under those conditions". And she holds a high position with the NSW Attorney-General's Department and is well conversant with NSW Traffic Law.

REVENUE RAISING AT ITS BEST! Care to argue the point?
No..... thieving mongrel swine.
 
As I read it, it is simply a warning system to alert drivers to potential dangers ahead. Can’t see it has anything to do with infringement fines. I only see it as a plus.
We live in a rural area in Victoria and have several previously fatal intersections and the side road activated signs and speed limit reduction seems to be working can’t recall another fatal accident since they have been installed and that’s been about two years.
 
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