Smarter Highways trial targets safer regional roads

THE state government will trial new technologies in regional NSW in 2025, aiming to reduce risky driving and improve road safety as part of a $5 million program.

The Smarter Highways initiative will deploy solar-powered systems to detect hazards, warn drivers, and improve driver response.

Transport for NSW will trial the technology on state highways and may expand it to local roads with council partnerships.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said the program focuses on changing dangerous driving habits and enhancing the safety of road users and workers.

“What’s so important about Smarter Highways is that the technology’s focus is to effect behavioural change and reduce risky driving actions, such as not driving to the conditions, that we know contribute to deaths and injuries on our roads,” Aitchison said.

“I’m glad that the Smarter Highway technologies will be trialled in the regions because outside of the cities, driving is often the only available form of transport and sometimes there are no alternative routes, so we need to make those journeys safer.”

Among the technologies being trialled is the Smarter Highway Activated Vehicle and Environmental System, a machine-learning platform that predicts hazards like black ice or wildlife and warns drivers through adaptive electronic signage.

Permanent traffic counters will monitor vehicle flow and speeds in real time, while Rural Intersection Activated Warning Systems aim to reduce crashes by adjusting speed limits at high-risk intersections.

The program also prioritises worker safety by reducing the need for road crews to operate in live traffic environments.

“The aim is to minimise the amount of time work crews have to spend in live traffic environments by increasing the use of remotely controlled traffic operations, which creates a safer work environment,” Aitchison said.

If successful, the technologies could transform road safety in regional NSW.