New smart highway technology a fix for renewable energy traffic boom

Cassilis, a small community in New South Wales' Upper Hunter region, is grappling with a growing problem of traffic hazards. The town, with a population of only about 300, is experiencing a significant increase in large and over-mass vehicles. These heavy transports are causing disruptions and making the local roads more dangerous, according to Jane Hegarty, chair of the district's development group.

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There's certainly a lot more oversize and over-mass vehicles where you're having to pull off the road, so it's definitely becoming a much more hazardous journey.

The primary driver behind the surge in heavy vehicle traffic is the development of the Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ). Components for these renewable energy projects are being transported via the Port of Newcastle and then overland to the Central West. The Golden Highway, a major route connecting Newcastle to Dubbo, has seen its heavy vehicle traffic increase to approximately 30 percent of all vehicles. Hegarty notes that this increase is occurring even before the peak construction phase, highlighting the immediate impact on the community.

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The Golden Highway is the main thoroughfare from Newcastle to Dubbo.

To address these safety concerns, the NSW government is trialing new smart highway technology. The Rural Intersection Speed Zone (RISZ) system is being implemented on the Golden Highway at Cassilis. This innovative system employs radar detectors to sense approaching vehicles and utilizes variable speed limit signs. When a vehicle is detected on a side road, like Ulan Road, preparing to enter the highway, the RISZ system temporarily reduces the speed limit on the Golden Highway. This allows for safer merging, particularly for larger, slower-moving vehicles.

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Currently, it is about 30 per cent heavy vehicles and that is increasing with all the developments for the REZ.

Transport for NSW (TfNSW) has customized the RISZ system specifically for the Cassilis intersection, recognizing the unique mix of traffic including heavy vehicles for renewable energy, freight, and mining operations. Crash data indicated three serious accidents at this location in the past five years. This trial marks the first implementation of the RISZ system in NSW, with the technology operating from self-contained, solar-powered units designed for rural environments.

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It is frustrating because … we haven't even got to peak construction period and we're already noticing a difference.