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ITS Australia Summit 2023

Using Radar Technology for Safety, Efficiency and Environmental Benefits Across The Road Network

Abstract

Abstract

2:15 pm

28 August 2023

Eureka 2 (Ground Floor)

BreakOut Session 12: Smart Motorways and Smart Freeways

Talk Description

Institution: Navtech Radar - United Kingdom

Tolling historically has been used for revenue collection, specifically aimed at funding road infrastructure improvements. Our maintenance free 360-degree Radar offers continuous, real-time traffic data to give accurate results for the implementation of the toll system, but also safety, efficiency and environmental benefits that can encompass the entire road network. A recent pilot on the I-495 toll road in the United States, demonstrated 97% accuracy in vehicle count and classification, an essential element of providing precise dynamic toll pricing and keeping traffic flow optimised. This impacts travel time, emissions, and safety by ensuring free flowing traffic. Infrastructure Australia found the economic cost of road congestion was likely to increase to approximately A$39 billion a year by 2031. With radar detecting, tracking and identifying each vehicle and pedestrian, incidents such as stopped or slow vehicles, wrong way driving and debris are automatically detected, informing the control centre of the exact location and type of incident. Operators can use this detailed information to make decisions on their response. Alarms are generated within 20 seconds, meaning a rapid emergency response, secondary collisions are minimised, and incidents cleared rapidly, improving safety and efficiency. In the UK the installation of this technology has sped up the initial response by up to 15 minutes, with significant impact on economic loss due to congestion. This solution is trusted as the key technology to create some of the world’s safest roads and tunnels in Scandinavia, as well as being a foundation for the future of roadside technology.

Speakers