Over the past twenty years, the number of cars on Aotearoa’s roads has increased by just under 65%, skyrocketing from 2.8 million (2001) to just over 4.5 million vehicles (2021). In other words, there are a lot more cars on the road today than there were a few decades ago, and such a sharp increase demands more advanced traffic management systems.
Without effective traffic flow management, New Zealand’s cities would grind to a halt. While traffic engineering services work with local councils to improve city layouts, the foundations of many road networks date back to the horse-and-buggy era, creating ongoing challenges. A single bottleneck can trigger a ripple effect across an entire city, often leading to congestion and road rage.
Our secret weapon? Traffic signal data. Local councils all over Aotearoa (and the world) are using modern traffic signals to capture real-time data and adjust traffic flow accordingly. This trend is a major help in managing an ever-increasing population while keeping our roads safe and our cities liveable.
This blog post is dedicated to unpacking this secret weapon piece by piece. Read on as we examine how traffic signal data is collected and how New Zealand is innovating traffic management with this enhanced data set.
How is Traffic Signal Data Collected?
Traffic signal data aims to paint a real-time picture of how traffic is flowing. This insight helps with two major objectives:
- Ensuring that traffic flows smoothly by making real-time adjustments to signal timings and reducing congestion.
- Providing in-depth data that highlights bottleneck areas for New Zealand city councils to improve.
To do this, we need to collect a lot of data very quickly. Traffic signal data is gathered through a combination of sensors, cameras, and software that track the movement of vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists. In New Zealand, traffic engineering companies like ours work with local councils to implement a few unique systems that capture and store that data in real time.
Methods for Collecting Traffic Data
- Inductive loop sensors: These are sensors embedded in the roads at intersections. They’re designed to detect when a vehicle is waiting at a red light, triggering an adjustment to the traffic signal patterns hooked up to the sensor on a loop (hence the name).
- Smart radar sensors: These are usually mounted on traffic or street lights. By using radar to sense the speed of oncoming traffic, these sensors help us monitor traffic density and movement in problem areas.
- Linked traffic signals: Rather than operating independently, some modern intersections are linked to a central control system that can dynamically adjust traffic lights depending on real-time congestion levels.
- CCTV cameras: These can put traffic management in the hands of the average Kiwi citizen, allowing drivers to check on the traffic conditions along their route before joining the fray or choosing another method of transport to reduce traffic altogether.
Instead of relying on theory, the best way to understand how traffic signal data can improve the occurrence of delays and traffic build-up is to see it in action. Fortunately, New Zealand offers strong case studies that showcase the effectiveness of these systems. With the help of traffic engineering companies like TSL, some Kiwi cities are already embracing innovative methods to utilise traffic signals to capture and manage vehicle flow data.
How New Zealand is Managing Traffic with These Systems
By implementing these advanced traffic monitoring systems, councils across Aotearoa are improving traffic flow, helping Kiwis travel more efficiently with fewer bottlenecks. On top of that, they’re making it safer for anyone who isn’t in a car who is on or near busy roads. Here are some of the most important advancements we’re seeing:
Smarter Traffic Lights
Adaptive traffic signals in places like Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch change their timing based on real-time traffic conditions. That means you won’t have to wait at a red light when there’s no traffic coming from the other direction!
Pedestrian-Friendly Crossings
In high-foot-traffic areas, crossings are being upgraded with sensors that detect people waiting to cross. If there are a lot of pedestrians, the system automatically extends the crossing time to keep everyone safe.
Public Transport Priority
Some traffic lights now prioritise buses, giving them a green light when they approach an intersection. This system helps buses stick to their schedules and encourages more people to use public transport.
Live Congestion Monitoring
Traffic management teams can now see congestion as it occurs and make real-time adjustments, such as changing signal patterns or suggesting alternate routes via digital road signs.
The Future of Traffic Signal Data
As urban areas grow and traffic congestion continues to plague our streets, finding new and innovative ways to leverage traffic signal data will make or break our urban planning.
We see potential for seamless integration with smart vehicles and GPS systems, giving Kiwis more control over how they engage with traffic management. Sustainability also holds a lot of weight here, and traffic signal data might even be used to find new ways to lower emissions by reducing idling times.
In short, the way forward is to embrace traffic light data as a primary method for urban planning and let it guide us to decisions that naturally follow the flow of what Kiwis on our cities’ roads need.
Join the Revolution with Expert Traffic Signal Data Collection
Traffic Systems Limited is proud to be your expert on all things related to traffic management. From installing signals to designing the latest innovative traffic solutions, we’ve helped shape New Zealand’s cities to be smarter, safer, and more efficient. Whether you need a quote or want expert insights on traffic signal design, we’re here to help—day or night. Get in touch today!