A new traffic management system will soon be installed to help Canberrans navigate traffic disruptions across the city centre.
The ACT government says a combination of bluetooth sensors and new intersection cameras will be installed in "strategic locations" across the centre of Canberra, where disruption and congestion are most likely.
The data collected can then be used to provide up-to-date information about journey times and potential disruptions through wireless signage on the roads, and is also set to be published on radio and social media channels.
The ACT government says active monitoring of the network will also mean a faster response to accidents or issues before they cause major congestion.
"Providing reliable information in real time will mean commuters can make informed choices before or during their trip. This might mean choosing a different route, travelling at a different time or jumping on public transport," Minister for Transport Chris Steel said.
The NRMA said the new system was very welcome.
"It's a good way to plan ahead, for governments to understand where the pressure points are that they need to fix, but also giving that information to the public in real time enables the public to plan ahead before they get behind the wheel," NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury said.
Tech announced before raising of London Circuit
The government's announcement is indeed timely, given traffic in the centre of Canberra is expected to increase in the middle of the year when construction begins on raising London Circuit as part of the installation of stage 2A of Canberra's light rail system.
"We know this boost in construction activity will be disruptive for our traffic network, and it will impact how Canberrans access the city centre," Mr Steel said.
Light rail stage 2B gained federal environmental approval last year; the line will cross Lake Burley Griffin, traverse the Parliamentary Triangle and meet up with the Woden line.
Preparations for Stage 2A of Canberra's light rail project — taking passengers from the city to Commonwealth Park — began last year, and commuters were warned to expect four years of major roadworks.
At the time, Mr Steel said the project would cause "a significant amount of congestion that our city probably hasn't seen before in its history".
However, he said completion of light rail stage 2A was a step toward a more "sustainable, vibrant and better-connected city".
NRMA calls for real-time data on petrol prices
Mr Khoury said similar real-time traffic technology had been rolled out in Sydney and elsewhere around the world.
"We know technology is continuing to play a big part in managing congestion and traffic flow, and that's important as the population grows," he said.
"The use of drones is increasingly a factor as well so that traffic management organisers can see ahead."
But Mr Khoury said drivers would also benefit from receiving real-time information about petrol prices.
"There is already technology, that's been in the field now for five or six years in New South Wales, that does something similar with petrol prices," he said.
"The public gets access to real-time data for every service station in the state and that enables them to make the right choices for themselves when filling up.
