Smart signs being wasted

Carly Morrissey | 30th October 2009

"INTELLIGENT signs" along the Bruce Highway are still not being used to their full potential.

The State Government has spent $2.8 million on intelligent road safety signs along the Bruce Highway but a year after being announced they are still not being fully used.

A MONTH after the Department of Transport and Main Roads said intelligent signs along the Bruce Highway would be fully operational in coming months the signs are still not being used to their full potential.

In September the department said the signs were yet to be tested.

They are able to tell drivers how fast they are travelling and whether they are driving too close or tailgating.

But yesterday the intelligent signs were displaying information about current fire bans, road works and giving drivers fatigue warnings.

This has prompted some drivers to wonder why $2.8 million was needed when a billboard could do the same job.

The Variable Message Signs (VMS) were announced back in November 2008.

Then Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said they would cost a huge $2.8 million.

Yesterday the department said work was progressing to develop and integrate the intelligent software.

The “$2.8 million Intelligent Transport System (ITS) on the Bruce Highway between Cooroy and Gympie...includes six recently installed Variable Message Signs (VMS) between Black Mountain and Gympie, with associated loop detectors to measure vehicle speed and distance between following vehicles,” a spokesperson said.

Initial software trialling of the new technology is underway and commissioning of the intelligent software is to continue over coming months.

Mr Pitt said last year the signs were a part of a safety initiative along with the 90kmh speed reduction.

“When complete, the VMS system will act to reduce crashes by recognising particular types of driver behaviour and displaying automated messages warning against, for example, speeding or tailgating," Mr Pitt said at the time. "The system will also warn about...other potential hazards."

The departmental spokesperson said a number of the signs were being used to display messages of community benefit, particularly in regard to fire hazards in the vicinity.

“The ITS signs and other variable message signs in the region, are operating in accordance with the departments Guidelines for Variable Message Signs.”

“The signs can also be used for incident management to warn motorists of traffic disruption, delays or to alert drivers to diversion routes further ahead.”

According to the spokesperson the department was continually looking for new ways to improve safety.