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What is a Smart Motorway?

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A smart motorway is actively monitored and managed by traffic operators through a network of sensors and radars, cameras, and speed and lane control signs.

A smart motorway is managed by traffic operators. It has a network of sensors and radars, cameras, and speed and lane control signs.  

What are the parts of a smart motorway?

A smart motorway is fitted with a network of detection equipment (radars, loops and CCTV cameras) and electronic signs that are programmed to respond automatically to manage the flow of traffic. As the volume of traffic increases, the smart motorway automatically adjusts the speed limit to reduce congestion and get as many vehicles as possible through the area. They are used effectively around the world as transport agencies seek to improve people’s journeys while getting the most out of existing road corridors.

There are three important parts of a smart motorway:

  1. smart technologies such as sensors, cameras, message signs, speed and lane control signals, and automated enforcement systems
  2. smart monitoring and management
  3. smart drivers.

When all the parts come together, the stop/start nature of congestion is reduced, traffic moves more smoothly, more vehicles get through a section of road and everyone arrives at their destination sooner and more safely.

How do the smarts work?

Smart motorways reduce congestion by carefully controlling the flow of vehicles. The most critical time when the system can influence the severity of congestion is as the traffic volume begins to build, that is before the road becomes congested.

Detectors under the road and radars mounted on lighting poles and gantries count the number of vehicles in each lane, as well as the speed they’re travelling.

The smart system calculates the rate at which the road is becoming congested, factors in what is likely to happen based on traffic records that are continually updated and monitored, and automatically adjusts the speed limit to pace the traffic and delay queues being formed.

Watch this video to see how pacing traffic flow gets more vehicles through.

 

 

What are the parts of a smart motorway?

 There are three important parts of a smart motorway:

  1. Smart technologies such as sensors, CCTV cameras, message signs, speed and lane control signals, and automated enforcement systems
  2. Smart monitoring and management
  3. Smart drivers.

How do the smarts work?

Smart motorways reduce congestion by carefully controlling the flow of vehicles. 

Detectors under the road and radars mounted on lighting poles and gantries count the number of vehicles in each lane, as well as the speed they are travelling.

The smart system calculates how fast the road is becoming congested. It also factors in what is likely to happen based on traffic records that are continually updated and monitored. The smart system then automatically adjusts the speed limit to pace the traffic and delay queues being formed.

Watch this video to see how pacing traffic flow gets more vehicles through.

 

 

Māori keywords: 
   
   
   
   
   
   
Samoan keywords: 
 taupulega  monitor (watch over)
 faatonu, tapena  manage
 saoasaoa  speed
 fa'ailoga e'e  sensor (detector)
 mea pu'e ata  cameras
 faailoga  sign (noun)
Tongan keywords: 
 Tokangekina’isiofi (watch by viewing)  monitor (watch over)
 fakamā'opo'opo  manage
 lele vave  speed
 me'a fai ta sikiuliti  sensor (detector)
 me'a faitā  cameras
 faka'ilonga  sign (noun)
Cook Islands Maori keywords: 
 akonokono  monitor (watch over)
 akatere  manage
 viviki  speed
 akakite'anga  sensor (detector)
 nene'i  cameras
 akairo  sign (noun)
Niuean keywords: 
 onoono tumau  monitor (watch over)
 fakamaopoopo/fakakatoatoa  manage
 mafiti  speed
 matini fuafua  sensor (detector)
 pokiata  cameras
 fakailoaaga  sign (noun)

Find out more about the smart motorway from the NZTA website

Find out more about the smart motorway from the NZTA website.



A smart motorway includes smart technologies such as sensors, cameras, message signs, speed and lane control signals, and automated enforcement systems. Image: NZTA.

The smart motorway will be actively monitored and managed by traffic operators. Image: LEARNZ.

Being a smart driver is also part of the smart motorway system. Image: NZTA.