Western Australia to Open a ‘Smart Freeway’

An AI safety camera monitors and records traffic on Mancunian Way in Manchester, England on Sept. 05, 2024. Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

The Western Australian government will officially launch a new “smart freeway” on Dec. 22, featuring 1,400 new technology pieces.

Road sensors, on-ramp signals, CCTV cameras with incident detection sensors, and overhead gantries are among the revamped technologies to be installed along the southbound lanes of the Mitchell Freeway.

The freeway is a major highway connecting Perth’s northern suburbs to the city centre and connecting to other major roads.

Overhead gantries are set to reduce speed limits and warn about accidents ahead, while traffic signals at on-ramps will manage the flow of traffic during busy times.

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the upgrades could improve traffic flow and safety.

“Depending on where they’re travelling from, drivers can expect to save up to seven minutes during morning peak hour, which ultimately means a safer journey and less time spent in gridlock,” she said.

Her federal counterpart, Transport Minister Catherine King, said the federal government was continuing to invest in infrastructure that makes roads safer and gets Australians home to their families earlier.

“Our partnership with the WA Government in delivering these important projects will mean residents of Perth’s northern suburbs will spend less time stuck in traffic and more time with their loved ones.”

The Smart Freeway Mitchell Southbound project, along with the Hodges to Hepburn widening and shared path projects, are funded by both the Federal and State governments.

Key features of the new upgrade include new traffic signals on 16 on-ramps to filter traffic onto the freeway and assist with smoother merging, 23 overhead gantries with lane-use and variable speed signs, and digital message signs that inform motorists of traffic conditions in real time.

The government claims these upgrades to the smart freeway systems will save commuters seven minutes during peak hour commutes.

Are There Any Risks With Smart Highways?

Despite the benefits of lowering congestion and improving traffic flow, there are some potential safety concerns and risks with smart highways.

One of the major risks of smart highways can be driver confusion due to rapidly changing conditions, if speed limits are changed quickly and lanes are opened or closed frequently.

The over-reliance on technology including sensors, cameras, and message signs could also lead to danger if the systems were to fail or malfunction.

Variable speed limits can also be a problem, if they are ignored by drivers or adjusted inappropriately, while flexible lane usage can also require frequent lane changes, presenting a challenge for some drivers.

Smart highways also rely on data systems that could be targeted by hackers, making them potentially vulnerable to cyber-attacks.

While the UK is a leader in smart freeways, they have also been implemented in California, Chicago, Singapore, and the Kwinana Smart Freeway in Western Australia.

However, a poll in the UK in 2023 found that nearly 7 in 10 drivers wanted the hard shoulder—a hardened strip alongside a motorway for stopping on in an emergency—reinstated on smart motorways.

In New South Wales, the M4 Motorway from Parramatta to Penrith was the state’s first smart motorway, with more than 1,300 road sensors located every 500 metres.

Transport for New South Wales (NSW) also recently advised they are making the Western Distributor “smarter and safer” with digital dynamic signs to help traffic move more easily.

“A Smart Motorway uses real-time information, communication, and traffic control systems to improve traffic flow (just like the M4 & M8),” the department stated.

The NSW government is installing 19 gantries between the Anzac Bridge and Sydney Harbour Bridge, integrating speed lane usage electronic signs, CCTV, and automatic incident detection technology.

“We are installing smart motorway technology on the Western Distributor between the Anzac Bridge and the Sydney Harbour Bridge,” the government said.

In South Australia, artificial intelligence (AI) powered mobile phone detection cameras have been installed, leading to more than 2,500 fines within a week.

The AI mobile phone detection cameras are located at five high-risk locations with warning signs in Adelaide, keeping tabs on 13 lanes.

Asleep at Wheel on Road Safety, Opposition

Meanwhile, Western Australian Opposition leader Shane Love recently criticised the Labor Party’s slow response to urgent road safety reforms.

“The government has been asleep at the wheel when it comes to road safety,” he said.

He said the Cook government had continued to demonstrate a “lack of leadership and vision,” only acting after being pushed by the Opposition on key issues including road safety and problems in the construction sector.

“It’s clear this out-of-touch government has no intention of taking real action unless forced by the Opposition.”

Meanwhile, Western Australian Liberal leader Libby Mettam has been raising concerns about broader safety and crime in the state, including assaults on public transport.

“Western Australians deserve to feel safe in their community—under WA Labor, crime is skyrocketing. Assaults on Perth’s public transport system rose by 35 percent in one year,” she said on Dec. 4.