As light rail disruptions pick up, the ACT Government is installing smart technology to help commuters plan their journeys. Photo: File.
Traffic on your drive to work could soon be flowing more easily thanks to some new smart technology being installed on Canberra’s roads.
Intelligent transport monitoring technology will soon be put in strategic locations across central Canberra where disruption and congestion are common.
This will include new intersection cameras and Bluetooth sensors which can feed traffic insights back to the central Traffic Operations Centre at Fyshwick.
From there, real-time information about traffic flows can be transmitted to the public via social media and radio.
Data retrieved from the devices can also provide up-to-date information about journey times and potential disruption on roadside wireless variable message signage.
Active monitoring of the network will also make it possible for crews to respond more quickly to accidents or issues before they cause significant congestion, Minister for Transport and City Services Chris Steel said.
“Providing reliable information in real-time will mean commuters can make informed choices before or during their trip.
“This might mean choosing a different route, travelling at a different time or jumping on public transport.”
Minister for Transport and City Services Chris Steel (pictured with Chief Minister Andrew Barr) says the government is committed to being upfront with Canberrans about light-rail induced disruptions. Photo: File.
Mr Steel said the additional technology would assist commuters as the next phase of light rail construction gets underway.
Commuters have previously been warned to expect years of disruption as traffic capacity on Commonwealth Avenue drops by 80 per cent.
Lane closures and works on Commonwealth Avenue will mean traffic has to be diverted via Kings Avenue, Parkes Way, Tuggeranong Parkway and Monaro Highway.
Work is already underway on a new Woden public transport interchange and construction on raising London Circuit is expected to commence around the middle of the year.
Raising London Circuit will involve the demolition of the cloverleaf ramps and overpasses and result in road closures, including on London Circuit.
Callam Street in Woden has also been shut to traffic as major works commence on the town centre’s new public transport interchange and light rail stop.
Other commitments include a promise to install traffic lights at the Coranderrk Street roundabout to improve traffic flows from Parkes Way for people accessing the city from the southside.
Road cameras will also be installed to manage the intersection and the lights can be timed. Last year, Mr Steel said he hoped these changes would help to better regulate this “notoriously bottle-necked roundabout”.
The government is also planning to temporarily signalise the northern side of Vernon Circle to allow safe right-turn movements onto Constitution Avenue and London Circuit for buses and other vehicles heading northbound.
The government has formed a Disruption Taskforce to manage these impacts and is encouraging as many people as possible to use public transport during this time.
To assist with this, a new park and ride facility at Beasley St in Mawson will also be put in place and 70 existing car parks will be converted to park and ride spaces.
Construction is now underway on a new footpath link to the Rapid routes on Athllon Drive and lighting upgrades to increase safety are also planned.
Mr Steel has long said the government is committed to being upfront with the community regarding the upcoming delays.
Light rail stage 2A will extend the line to Commonwealth Park.
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