Drivers on major roads would be quickly diverted away from accidents or traffic congestion and speed limits could be lowered during wet or foggy weather, under plans for a high-tech traffic management system being considered by the ACT government.
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The government wants to build a traffic management centre which could eventually be linked to a network of cameras, road weather monitoring stations, variable speed signs and electronic messaging boards on major roads.
A consultant's report prepared for Roads ACT found that a full-scale rollout of ''intelligent transportation systems'' could cost about $90 million but save $132 million per year through lower rates of accidents and traffic delays.
Accidents and congestion would be instantly detected and motorists advised of delays via large electronic messaging boards and directed to alternative routes.
Electronic signs on road sides would display estimated travel times. Posted speed limits would be electronically lowered during poor weather.
A traffic management centre has been included in the government's infrastructure plan and will be considered for future budget funding.
Territory and Municipal Services Minister Shane Rattenbury said managing growing traffic volume was no longer as simple as building more roads.
''In my view it is not sustainable, it's not economic, it's not even a good traffic management solution,'' Mr Rattenbury said. ''You use the existing infrastructure, but seek to run it more efficiently.
''That's not to say that there will never need to be another road built or another lane added in places.''
Unlike other capital cities - including Hobart - Canberra does not have a network of cameras for road managers and police to monitor traffic congestion.
A report by AECOM Australia for Roads ACT said authorities were reliant on members of the public and the media to report problems, which slowed response times.
''The operators currently have no ability to monitor traffic conditions using [closed circuit cameras] which limits their ability to effectively manage traffic during peak congestion and incident conditions,'' the report said. ''This is a high priority requirement to enable Roads ACT to respond effectively to recurrent and non-recurrent congestion now and into the future.'' The report said implementing proactive electronic traffic management capabilities would reduce delays and make travel times more reliable.
''Based on the reduction in congestions and crash costs, the annual benefits of the proposed traffic management capabilities are conservatively estimated at $132 million per year,'' the report said.
''Other benefits would include smoother traffic flow and improved driver comfort and travel experience.''
The AECOM report recommended that a range of electronic traffic measures be initially installed along Northbourne Avenue, with cameras to be activated on other major roads in central Canberra at the same time.
The system would be gradually rolled out to other major roads.
The report also suggests the use of ''ramp metering'' to help drivers merge safely on to the Tuggeranong Parkway, Adelaide Avenue or Parkes Way from certain ramps.
Ramp metering systems use traffic lights to stop cars before they travel down entrance ramps on to major roads if there is heavy traffic.
The system detects gaps in the traffic on the main road and then signals the driver to proceed at a recommended speed.
Taking control
A Traffic Management Centre could be linked to:
- 119 closed circuit TV cameras
- 27 variable messaging signs
- 37 travel time information signs
- 472 traffic detector stations
- 3 ramp metering locations
- 186 variable speed limit signs
- 2 lane use management signs
- 10 Road weather monitoring stations
