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- By Franklin Ward councillor Andy Baker
Auckland recently hosted a conference focused on transport-related technology.
I had the privilege of making the opening speech about what is happening here – I did my research, it’s a lot!
We have a well-known congestion issue that costs around $2.6 billion a year in efficiency costs.
In Franklin, we are not immune to its effects with peak time congestion made worse by road construction particularly in and around Drury and SH1.
While the government is trying to build more roads to ease the pressure, that’s not a
fulsome answer to the problem as it adds to the pain; it’s becoming unaffordable and, as is seen overseas, roads will just fill up and recreate the same problem.
I believe the answer is to strike a balance between new infrastructure and using our existing roads and networks better.
One of the more cost-effective ways is through new and fast developing technology, shown to improve network performance, improve decision making, and enable faster responses to incidents.
We’ve had dynamic lanes in some places for a few years – we are looking to increase those – but we have a suite of new innovations proving really effective with the likes of 100 advanced technology sensors at our busiest intersections reducing delays and improving traffic flow.
We have a pilot at two major intersections using AI-assisted traffic signal optimisation, which has been pretty effective so far.
A move to LED streetlights and a centralised streetlight management system has saved $11 million per year.
Since the 2023 weather events, we have installed sensors and technology at nine pilot sites actively monitoring flooding on roads and automate warnings to drivers and Auckland Transport.
Also, a project to develop a landslide susceptibility framework across the entire 8000km network has won engineering awards for its effective use of data and technology.
These are just a few things that are improving how we and the goods we need can move around better without greater burden on rate and taxpayers – they are but a drop in the ocean.
