Intelligent Traffic Light Program
Project overview
Providing a safe, reliable, fast & sustainable transport system is a key strategic vision of Transport for NSW and Technology will be key for achieving this vision.
Work is underway to achieve this vision by converging current road operations systems with emerging technologies to enhance the user experience on our roads, public transport, and freight networks.
Intelligent Traffic Light Program is delivering this Strategic vision by Modernising and Futureproofing its Traffic Control Signal Infrastructure through multiple initiatives designed to deliver incremental multi-modal improvements on our network and benefits to all road users.
Program Objectives
Program Initiatives
Network Optimisation reviews and reconfigures settings at signalised intersections to accommodate changes in travel patterns and improve network performance through fault identification and rectification, reconfiguring SCATS parameters and performance assessment and evaluation.
Active Transport and Vehicle Initiatives will apply enhanced active transport, vehicle and incident detection systems to deliver improved customer experiences and optimised network operations; to deliver safer and more reliable journeys on our network.
Trials in progress to support the Active Transport and Vehicle Adaptive Initiatives are as follows:
Pedestrian Countdown Timers (PCT’s)
PCT’s are traffic signal devices that display the remaining time for pedestrians to safely cross the street before the signal changes.
Transport for NSW is planning to demonstrate PCT’s in use at the Future Mobility Testing and Research Centre on the Community Open Day - 31 October 2024.
PCT’s will also be trialled at the intersection of Garden Street and Henderson Road, Eveleigh.
By introducing PCT’s we are seeking to provide and deliver:
- Accurate information for pedestrians crossing the road to make safer choices
- Encourage adjustment of walking speed based on the remaining time, reducing the risk of rushing
- Accurate information to non-compliant pedestrians to motivate them to adopt safer behaviours
- Improved Community perceived safety.
Pedestrian Detectors
Infrared detection will be trialled at Manly Wharf where there is high pedestrian activity.
This trial seeks to address the requirement to enhance efficiency and safety at intersections with large variable volumes of pedestrian traffic.
This initiative aims to dynamically adjust intersection crossing times for pedestrians based on real-time detection. By using advanced detectors, we can:
- Identify if a pedestrian is waiting in a designated zone
- Determine the pedestrian volume in the detection zone
- Analyse the demand for pedestrians
- Measure the time it takes for pedestrians to clear the intersection.
Enhanced Vehicle Detection
We seek a complimentary alternative to pavement induction vehicle detection loops LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is one option being considered. LiDAR covers a wider area than loops, providing a spectrum of richer data on intersection activity. They can potentially improve intersection response to live traffic.
The primary objective of the LiDAR trial is to evaluate stop line detection and queue length detection. If time permits the trial will extend to include pedestrian and cyclist detection as secondary objectives. The trial is scheduled for completion in Q1 2025.
Bicycle Detectors
This trial aims to assess the performance of infrared cameras as a consistent and reliable method for detecting cyclists. Improved detection is anticipated to improve intersection efficiency and safety by reducing unused green phases and/or stranded riders.
Transport for NSW is planning to demonstrate the cameras in use at the Future Mobility Testing and Research Centre on the Community Open Day - 31 October 2024.
The proposed trial site is the intersection of Gardeners Road and Bourke Street in Alexandria.
This is a busy intersection due to the M8 off-ramp feeding into Gardeners Road. The traffic light phases are permanently configured to accommodate bicycles, regardless of their presence, causing unnecessary delays on Garden Road and impacting vehicle traffic flow. These factors make it an ideal testing site for this trial.
Transport User Assistance C-ITS Interface
Provision of Signal Phase and Timing (SPaT) data to transport customers with a focus on visual and mobility impaired customers.
Transport for NSW is currently working with various stakeholders to trial C-ITS technology and its interface with our current traffic signal controllers. The trials will be conducted off-site at the Future Mobility Testing and Research Centre.
Real Time and Historical Traffic Data
This initiative aims to assess the capabilities of Bluetooth detectors as a low-cost method for measuring travel time, average speed, incident detection, congestion, and journey information.
This initiative seeks to introduce Bluetooth detectors at each Traffic Control Site (TCS) to monitor traffic conditions and estimate travel times and customer journey information more accurately.
Objectives:
- Enhance the accuracy, reliability, and capability of existing traffic detection systems
- Detect incidents through travel time anomalies and implementing traffic management plans
- Understand corridor-level demand patterns with origin-destination matrices and network usage
- Identify corridor bottlenecks and implementing traffic coordination plans and signal timing adjustments
- Inform operational traffic conditions to support strategic transport models and infrastructure decisions.
Smarter Incident Resolution
This initiative aims to introduce or enhance the capability of incident detection for quicker incident resolution.
Technology and trial planning is in progress and this information will be provided as available.
Keep in touch
If you have any questions or would like to receive program updates, please contact us at: technologyprojects@transport.nsw.gov.au