Smart lights for airport interchange.

The Queensland Government has installed a $1.48 million smart traffic system aimed at taming one of Brisbane’s busiest intersections.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Paul Lucas, said Main Roads would have a new set of intuitive traffic lights operational from Monday morning (27 Aug) at the Airport Drive Roundabout.

“Up until now the give way to the right rule has applied to traffic entering the busy Airport Drive roundabout.

“But that’s about to change with the switching-on of a new set of traffic lights driven by smart software.

“Sensors connected to traffic monitoring software have been laid underneath the four approaches to the intersection, to allow the system to judge where the green light is needed most.

“This is one of Brisbane’s busiest intersections – these intelligent traffic lights should make a real difference to traffic flow to and from the airport.

“It gives the system the ability to manage congestion more effectively.”

Mr Lucas said the new system has the potential to improve travel times by up to 15%.

“It’s an important short term strategy for dealing with traffic congestion ahead of the delivery of the $1.9 billion Gateway Upgrade Project.

“Work started in May on building a new airport connection – a six lane deviation north of the Gateway Bridge to a new airport interchange.

“Four lanes of the new airport connection will open to traffic by mid 2009 with the remainder complete by late 2010.

“It’s part of a package of progressive openings which deliver to motorists the benefits of Gateway upgrade sooner,” Mr Lucas said.

The Gateway Upgrade Project is scheduled for completion in mid 2011.

Media Contact: Darren Roberts 0448 184566.