Hundreds of pedestrian crossings across Queensland will be upgraded with smart technology designed to improve efficiency and safety at key intersections.
Following the success of trials at Logan, the Gold Coast and Bundaberg, the Queensland Government would now roll out smart pedestrian crossing technology over a two-year period, an investment of $3 million.
Compared with standard signalised crossings, which use a timer, these smart crossings will use sensors to detect pedestrian movement and adjust the amount of time required to cross.
This means pedestrians can cross safely without having to rush, and for motorists it means less waiting when there are fewer pedestrians using the crossing.
These smart pedestrian crossing detectors can also hold left or right-turn red arrow signals, to protect pedestrians from turning vehicles.
Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Mark Bailey, said that trials at Slacks Creek, Broadbeach, Main Beach and Bundaberg demonstrated marked improvements in traffic efficiency and pedestrian safety.
The Queensland Government will now invest $3 million through the Camera Detected Offence Program for up to 300 pedestrian crossings.
Mr Bailey announced the $3 million investment at the Queensland walking summit, where more than 100 experts and stakeholders from across the state gathered to develop a vision for the state’s walking future.
Minister Bailey said about one third of all pedestrian fatalities and hospitalisations occurred at intersections.
“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to improving safety for pedestrians and these upgrades will go a long way to making sure pedestrians can get from A to B safer.”
In 2018, pedestrians accounted for 35 fatalities. Additionally, between 1 January and 31 August 2018, there were 228 hospitalised pedestrian casualties on Queensland roads.
The rollout of the upgrade program will begin later this year. Locations will be prioritised based on length, high traffic and pedestrian volumes, those used by mobility-impaired pedestrians and cyclists and crossings near hospitals.
