Congestion busters for Sunshine Coast

Two congestion-clearing Traffic Response Units will be in operation on the Sunshine Coast by the end of this financial year.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Paul Lucas, said for the first time on the Sunshine Coast Traffic Response Units would have a permanent presence.

“Traffic Response Units have proven their worth in Brisbane in helping clear accidents and broken-down vehicles to restore traffic flow.

“Physically removing road blockages quickly and efficiently not only gets traffic moving sooner, but can also reduce the risk of subsequent incidents.

“I’m advised by Main Roads that research indicates secondary accidents can potentially be reduced by 20% and the duration of delays by up to 40%.

“Across the South East we’ll be more than doubling the fleet of response units on main arterial units during weekday peak times to minimise the flow-on effect of traffic incidents.”

Mr Lucas said Main Roads is spending $15 million over the next four years to improve the operation of the South East’s road network .

“It’s a targeted and innovative approach to traffic management, and the use of smart technology is part of the equation.

“The package includes the development of software upgrades to add a new level of responsiveness to the STREAMS traffic management system.

“In what’s understood to be an Australian first, Main Roads will soon begin trials of a GPS based system to ‘green light’ emergency vehicles through signalled intersections under certain circumstances.

“The system gives emergency vehicles fitted with the technology the ability to talk to the traffic management software.”

Mr Lucas said the State Government will invest $968 million over the next five years on Sunshine Coast roads.

“Not only are we spending record amounts on Sunshine Coast roads, we’re also being smarter with the management of existing road resources,” he said.

Media Contact: Darren Roberts 3237 1947 / 0448 184566.