As we look towards the future, it is clear that technology is not just reshaping our homes and workplaces, but also the very roads we travel on.
This 2025, motorists will reportedly experience a series of radical road changes set to revolutionise the driving experience. The New South Wales government will trial a variety of cutting-edge technologies on some of the country’s busiest roads as part of its $5 million Smarter Highways program.
This initiative is not just about keeping pace with modern technology, but also about enhancing safety, improving traffic flow, and ensuring that drivers are well informed and prepared for any changes in road conditions.
One of the developments that motorists can look forward to is the introduction of wireless, solar-powered signs that will alert motorists to new hazards, which Peter Khoury, spokesperson of motorists’ advocacy group NRMA, highly supports.
‘The more information you can give to the motoring public about an incident early, the better,’ Khoury told Yahoo News.
‘We have always said [that] more needs to be done to alert people earlier when there is an incident. It gives them the time they need to make a judgement on whether they need to proceed along a different route or delay their journey.’
These signs are part of the government’s Smarter Highway Activated Vehicle and Environment Systems (SHAVES), which will use self-adaptive electronic signage capable of predicting events and advising drivers accordingly.
The signs will use localised radio communications to communicate with each other, in detecting bad weather, for example.
In addition to these smart signs, the program will also trial in-road pods that collect valuable data on traffic volume and speed. Known as the road pod vehicle magnetometer, this technology will be particularly useful during peak travel times, such as holidays and special events.
By providing real-time information on vehicle volumes, classifications, speeds, and even road temperatures, these 4G traffic counter devices will reportedly help to manage traffic flow more effectively.
Other innovative measures expected include the use of variable speed limit signs that respond to slow-moving vehicles entering from side roads and the integration of radars and traffic signals to manage congestion at known breakdown hotspots, such as in the Blue Mountains.
As these changes are expected to hit the roads soon, we would love to hear your thoughts.
How do you feel about the integration of technology into our road systems? Are there any concerns or hopes you have for these upcoming changes? Share your views in the comments below!
Also read: Electric roads ahead: Australia’s bold plan to bring EV charging to your doorstep
