Queensland congestion-busting traffic technology hits American highways

Queensland ingenuity will soon help American motorists, with congestion-busting traffic technology developed in the State to be trialled on Colorado highways.

Main Roads and Road Safety Minister Mark Bailey announced the trial this week while visiting the United States to meet with industry leaders in innovative and emerging technologies.

Mr Bailey said the Managed Motorways technology, developed by the Palaszczuk Government-owned company Transmax, demonstrated the capability to improve motorway performance by the equivalent of adding an extra lane.

“We are proud to represent world-class Queensland companies such as Transmax and to champion their expertise to potential markets in the United States,” Mr Bailey said.

“This is an example of the incredible range of skills, ingenuity and capability Queensland has to implement innovative technological business solutions across the globe.”

Mr Bailey said he was visiting Colorado this week to foster new relationships and showcase Queensland as a provider of innovative business solutions.

“We are working with Colorado Department of Transport to help it embrace emerging technology to manage transport, reduce crashes and improve congestion,” Mr Bailey said.

“Transmax has partnered with Parsons Brinckerhoff and Maurice Burley (an Australian consulting road safety and traffic engineer) to introduce its functionality to the United States.

“The first project involves a trial for the Colorado Department of Transport to improve the reliability, capacity and safety of its freeways.”

Transmax is a Brisbane-based, full-service ITS solutions provider owned by Transport and Main Roads that develops, supports and deploys the international-award winning ITS platform, STREAMS.

The STREAMS Managed Motorways technology utilises a rules-based software engine to manage speed limits, lane closures, variable message signs and ramp metering sites to manage and optimise traffic flow during peak conditions, motorway incidents, planned events and inclement weather.

Users of the STREAMS Managed Motorways technology have reported a number of positive outcomes such as travel time savings of 42% during peak periods, a 30% reduction in motorway accidents, and an 11% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. 

ENDS

Media contact: Zoe Russell – 0428 079 640