Bruce Highway intelligence boost to benefit drivers
DECEMBER 13, 2017: I WELCOME today's announcement of a $56 Million Intelligent Transport System (ITS) to provide Bruce Highway drivers with immediate access to information on crashes, delays, floods and the condition of roads.This smart technology, which will include CCTV cameras, electronic signage and flood warning systems, will reduce driver frustration along the length of the Bruce Highway and result in safer travel along our state’s major thoroughfare.To give you an example of the scope of this Intelligent Transport System, on the stretch of the Bruce Highway in the Mackay and the Whitsundays region, 18 CCTV devices, 16 flood warning devices, 19 electronic signage devices and 51 vehicle detection system devices will be installed.This is a great initiative which is designed to reduce the duration of road closures during flooding, improve safety, reduce crashes and shorten travel times.It will also increase capacity, reduce vehicle operating costs and improve freight efficiency.Everyone who travels the Bruce will benefit.The Bruce Highway Road Operations Improvements project is jointly funded with the Australian Government committing up to $44.8 million and the Queensland Government committing up to $11.2 million. It will be installed from 2019 to 2021.It forms part of the 10 Year Bruce Highway Upgrade Program which includes a Federal Government commitment of up to $6.7 billion.More details on ITS devices:CCTV - will allow a live overview of the entire length and will be placed in incident and flood prone areas, allowing immediate responses.Flood warning systems – will monitor flood levels in real time to allow staff to be able to open/close roads and update electronic signsTraveller information system (electronic signage) - will advise motorists of emergencies, delays, closures, detours, traffic conditions and travel times.Vehicle detection system (Bluetooth) - will allow road operations staff to determine real flow of traffic by counting vehicles and will be able to work with other systems to trigger an alarm when abnormal conditions are detected.