Synchronisation of Brisbane’s traffic lights part of efforts to cut congestion
Published Thursday, 17 July, 2008 at 01:54 PM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
More than 1400 traffic signal sites around Brisbane are to be controlled by a single system – further strengthening the State Government's efforts to cut traffic congestion.
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said work would begin in the next few months to ensure all traffic signals within the greater Brisbane area – both state and council-controlled – were operated under the one traffic management platform.
The $6 million rollout of the initiative across the city follows a successful trial in the Indooroopilly area.
"Traffic congestion is presenting an increasing challenge and, if left unaddressed, will result in spiraling economic and social costs over the coming years,” Mr Pitt said.
"Delays caused by traffic signal are a significant part of this and I'm pleased by the collaborative approach Main Roads is employing with the Brisbane City Council to address the issue.
"Whereas Brisbane's 1400-plus sites with traffic lights are now managed by a combination of state and council systems, they will in future all be controlled by a single system based on Main Roads' patented STREAMS technology.
"The result will be improved flows of traffic, reduced travel times for Brisbane drivers and also some very real environmental benefits."
Mr Pitt said the potential of the concept had been borne out by the results of the recent trial on 12 Indooroopilly intersections.
"Until the trial, the signals at these intersections had been controlled by either Main Roads or council technology," Mr Pitt said.
"Synchronised under STREAMS, the benefits of the single platform approach were immediate. Along Moggill Road, between the Kenmore Village roundabout and Coonan Street, there were travel time reductions of up to 13 per cent during week-day peak periods and up to 17 per cent on weekends.
"Less time spent in traffic also means less carbon emissions, with an estimated yearly reduction of some 10 per cent, or 3800 tonnes, along that stretch of road alone.
"The impact of these environmental and time saving benefits will be even more significant when extended over the greater Brisbane area.
"The rollout of this single traffic management platform is just the latest example of the State Government's willingness to work with the Brisbane City Council to improve the safety and efficiency of Brisbane's roads."
The Brisbane Metropolitan Traffic Management Centre, which officially opened last year, was the product of a shared focus between Main Roads, Queensland Transport and the city council on improving management of the city's traffic.
The state-of-the-art, purpose-built nerve centre now controls movement across some 6500km of metropolitan roads.
Work to further refine the control system for the traffic signals will be undertaken over the remainder of this year, with actual changes to signals planned to start early next year.
It is expected the single platform system will be fully operational across Brisbane in around 18 months time.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said work would begin in the next few months to ensure all traffic signals within the greater Brisbane area – both state and council-controlled – were operated under the one traffic management platform.
The $6 million rollout of the initiative across the city follows a successful trial in the Indooroopilly area.
"Traffic congestion is presenting an increasing challenge and, if left unaddressed, will result in spiraling economic and social costs over the coming years,” Mr Pitt said.
"Delays caused by traffic signal are a significant part of this and I'm pleased by the collaborative approach Main Roads is employing with the Brisbane City Council to address the issue.
"Whereas Brisbane's 1400-plus sites with traffic lights are now managed by a combination of state and council systems, they will in future all be controlled by a single system based on Main Roads' patented STREAMS technology.
"The result will be improved flows of traffic, reduced travel times for Brisbane drivers and also some very real environmental benefits."
Mr Pitt said the potential of the concept had been borne out by the results of the recent trial on 12 Indooroopilly intersections.
"Until the trial, the signals at these intersections had been controlled by either Main Roads or council technology," Mr Pitt said.
"Synchronised under STREAMS, the benefits of the single platform approach were immediate. Along Moggill Road, between the Kenmore Village roundabout and Coonan Street, there were travel time reductions of up to 13 per cent during week-day peak periods and up to 17 per cent on weekends.
"Less time spent in traffic also means less carbon emissions, with an estimated yearly reduction of some 10 per cent, or 3800 tonnes, along that stretch of road alone.
"The impact of these environmental and time saving benefits will be even more significant when extended over the greater Brisbane area.
"The rollout of this single traffic management platform is just the latest example of the State Government's willingness to work with the Brisbane City Council to improve the safety and efficiency of Brisbane's roads."
The Brisbane Metropolitan Traffic Management Centre, which officially opened last year, was the product of a shared focus between Main Roads, Queensland Transport and the city council on improving management of the city's traffic.
The state-of-the-art, purpose-built nerve centre now controls movement across some 6500km of metropolitan roads.
Work to further refine the control system for the traffic signals will be undertaken over the remainder of this year, with actual changes to signals planned to start early next year.
It is expected the single platform system will be fully operational across Brisbane in around 18 months time.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819