Don't let traffic ruin your holiday spirit
This time of year is synonymous with three things, holidays, watching cricket, and traffic, in one of the busiest times on the New South Wales regional road network.
Transport for NSW Chief Customer Officer Roger Weeks said with vehicle numbers soaring, Transport teams are out in force, working around the clock to coordinate the increased traffic on the network.
“History tells us that this window leading up to the new year is one of the busiest on our roads. Our crews have been preparing for months to manage the spike in demand,” Mr Weeks said.
“As the focus of traffic moves out of cities and into regional areas for the holidays, the team in the Transport Management Centre in Sydney heighten their collaboration with the Regional Transport Operations Centre.
“To ensure a connected and coordinated response to heavy holiday traffic, unplanned incidents, major events and emergencies such as bushfires, we have an additional 400 shifts rostered across the key peak periods.
“We have highly skilled traffic commanders strategically stationed at major pinch points, ready to swing into action and help manage traffic flow. Most of the time you won’t notice they’re there, but you will appreciate the smoother journey.
“Tragically, 351 people have lost their lives over the last 12 months on New South Wales roads, which is 70 more than the previous year, and almost 70 per cent of those have been on regional roads.
“If you do hit delays, please be patient. Safety is our main priority and we want everyone to arrive at their destination ready to enjoy the holidays.”
Tucked away in the green hills of northern New South Wales, the Regional Transport Operations Centre is a state-of-the-art traffic and tunnels management centre which operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, monitoring our vast regional road network.
RTOC Senior Manager Shartrell Close said her team will be doing all they can to make sure motorists have the safest journey possible.
“This time of year is always busy in the regions, with people celebrating the holidays and visiting family and friends,” Ms Close said.
“Our team work through the holidays, to help you safely get to yours and back home again.
“We’re monitoring and coordinating the network at all times, liaising with other agencies both here and interstate. We use CCTV and the Road Network Monitor Program to keep an eye on all major corridors to make that journey as smooth as possible.”
To find the best times to travel to your destination, use the TfNSW journey planning tool at myjourneynsw.info and get the latest traffic updates by downloading the Live Traffic NSW app, visiting livetraffic.com or calling 132 701.