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What is a Smart Motorway?

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A smart motorway is managed by traffic operators. It has a network of sensors and radars, cameras, and speed and lane control signs.  

What are the parts of a smart motorway?

 There are three important parts of a smart motorway:

  1. Smart technologies such as sensors, CCTV cameras, message signs, speed and lane control signals, and automated enforcement systems
  2. Smart monitoring and management
  3. Smart drivers.

How do the smarts work?

Smart motorways reduce congestion by carefully controlling the flow of vehicles. 

Detectors under the road and radars mounted on lighting poles and gantries count the number of vehicles in each lane, as well as the speed they are travelling.

The smart system calculates how fast the road is becoming congested. It also factors in what is likely to happen based on traffic records that are continually updated and monitored. The smart system then automatically adjusts the speed limit to pace the traffic and delay queues being formed.

Watch this video to see how pacing traffic flow gets more vehicles through.

 

 

Audio Māori keywords: 

Audio Māori keywords: 

Find out more about the smart motorway from the NZTA website.

A smart motorway includes smart technologies such as sensors, cameras, message signs, speed and lane control signals, and automated enforcement systems. Image: NZTA.

The smart motorway will be actively monitored and managed by traffic operators. Image: LEARNZ.

Being a smart driver is also part of the smart motorway system. Image: NZTA.

«Previous
A Smarter Motorway
Contents: Easy
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Features of the Smart Motorway
Standard Version

Comments

I wonder what is the most

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 2015-08-24 09:52
Comment: 
I wonder what is the most expensive component? What does a smart sign cost?

I heard on an audioconference

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 2015-08-28 12:19
Comment: 
I heard on an audioconference where Glen Prince said that a variable message sign is $120,000 but it is $200,000 by the time it is installed and linked up to WTOC.

Smart Motorways

Submitted by Kelly Asher on Tue, 2016-04-19 14:01
Comment: 
The smart motorway seems to rely on motorists obeying the changing speed notifications. If you drive this section of motorway right now hardly anyone takes any notice of the 70km speed restrictions. The majority of people drive up to the next vehicle in front of them usually following too closely causing a concertina effect or tailback when someone brakes. New Zealanders are generally not very good drivers - you would be better to bring in something like a 10 year licence where you have to resit your licence. Some drivers have not had any driver education since there initial test which may have been 40 years ago.
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