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THE NEW Zealand Transport Agency has installed traffic sensors that record journey and queue wait times at various sites.
The BlipTrack sensors, from Denmark-based BLIP Systems, can be found on roads around Auckland International Airport, Kãpiti, Tauranga and parts of the Bay of Plenty. The sensors work by detecting motorists driving with a Bluetooth or WiFi device on board.
When a vehicle with an activated Bluetooth or WiFi device passes the sensors, its anonymous ID, also called a MAC address, is recorded, encrypted and time-stamped. By combining and analysing the data collected by all sensors, an accurate picture about each road user, such as their travel times, dwell times and movement patterns are provided.
The data from the sensors are aggregated and streamed in real-time to a dedicated mobile website which advises people how long journeys are currently taking on selected key routes. The information is also fed to some digital signage.
The information can be also be used to identify problem areas, evaluate and calibrate traffic signals, provide information on the capacity of existing roads, and detect changes in traffic patterns.
This information, says The New Zealand Transport Agency, will help commuters plan ahead and work out the best time to travel, and what time they are likely to arrive at their destination. This will add a degree of predictability to journey times, allowing people to optimise their time use and productivity.
The BlipTrack sensors also measure travel time savings and reliability improvements, such as in the one of the New Zealand Highway Agency biggest road building project, the Waikato Expressway. To measure the effectiveness of the new Expressway, sensors recorded traffic flows prior to its opening and after opening.
Based on this large data set it was possible to demonstrate significant journey time savings totalling yearly savings of 7.6 million dollars to the New Zealand economy.