Sydney Traffic Control Signal System

About this Item
Speakers - Beck Mr Donald; Murray Mr Wallace
Business - Questions Without Notice

SYDNEY TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNAL SYSTEM

Mr BECK: I ask the Deputy Premier, Minister for Public Works and Minister for Roads a question without notice. What progress has been made with the worldwide marketing of the Sydney traffic signal control system and what new markets are forecast for the system?

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Mr W. T. J. MURRAY: The honourable member for Murwillumbah is au fait with problems caused by traffic congestion in the Tweed district, especially during the summer months and holiday periods. The system that operates in Sydney could have a role to play in the future management of traffic in that area.

[Interruption]

Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the honourable member for Londonderry to order.

Mr W. T. J. MURRAY: The interjections from the Opposition are quite amazing. With regard to traffic control management the previous Labor Government, for 12 years, sat back and did nothing. Because of its incompetence, the previous Government used $200 million it collected from petrol taxes to fund its incompetent management of this State. Members of the Opposition should, first, shut up and, second, acknowledge that at last New South Wales is getting a fair return from petrol taxes.

[Interruption]

Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the honourable member for Riverstone. to order.

Mr W. T. J. MURRAY: The people of New South Wales are getting back money that for so long they have paid in petrol taxes. It is a pity that members of the Opposition could not persuade the Federal Government to provide additional funding. Obviously their influence in that regard amounts to nil.

[Interruption]

Mr W. T. J. MURRAY: The honourable member for Londonderry would have no problems with traffic. There is room enough to drive a bus through the vacant lot in his head.

Mr Carr: Back to the script.

Mr W. T. J. MURRAY: The joy is that at least this side of the House has a script; the Opposition has not.

[Interruption]

Mr SPEAKER: Order! There is far too much interjection.

[Interruption]

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Mr SPEAKER: Order! I call the honourable member for Cabramatta to order for the second time.

Mr W. T. J. MURRAY: Sydney has one of the most advanced traffic control systems in the world. It was developed by the Roads and Traffic Authority. The Sydney co-ordinated adaptive traffic system, known as SCATS, combats road and traffic congestion around this city. SCATS has been so successful that it now controls about 5,300 intersections in 29 cities around the world. Australia leads the world in the development of road traffic management systems, especially with regard to technology. All major cities in Australia, with the exception of Brisbane, have SCATS technology. The system is used also in New Zealand, China, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines and Ireland.

[Interruption]

Mr SPEAKER: Order! There is far too much audible conversation in the Chamber.

Mr W. T. J. MURRAY: I am pleased to inform the House that SCATS now has a foot in the door in the United States of America. A $2.7 million contract has been signed with Oakland County, a major area in the Detroit-Michigan complex. The contract involves the sale of Roads and Traffic Authority computer software, while AWA will supply the equipment to install SCATS at 28 intersections. Oakland County is just one part of Detroit and officials say that the SCATS project could develop into a $125 million program for the remainder of Detroit. Detroit is just one city. The system has the potential to be adopted by many other cities in the United States. For many years the Roads and Traffic Authority has been pushing SCATS in the United States and this first sale is very encouraging and opens the way for many more lucrative sales. RTA research and development is enabling the private sector to become involved in this multi-million dollar contract.

I am pleased to inform the House that negotiations for a multimillion dollar contract for the installation of SCATS in Hong Kong are reaching the final stage. The RTA is involved in two tenders, one from AWA and the other from Philips. The RTA is very confident of winning this lucrative contract. Negotiations are continuing with authorities in a number of other major cities around the world and I look forward to being able to inform the House about future sales. Most people would not realise the complexity of the systems that control Sydney's traffic lights. Each set of lights in Sydney is linked via a network of computers to the traffic control centre in Brisbane Street in the city. From there controllers can monitor any problems that occur and adjust the timing of the signals to suit traffic flows or emergency service vehicles. Systems such as SCATS effectively improve traffic mobility in congested areas as they are much cheaper alternatives to the building of new roads. SCATS is a winner for Sydney and New South Wales. It proves that we in this State and country can match, if not lead the way for, the rest of the world.

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Last modified 05/12/2007 16:36:07 : Update this page