Today marks the start of trial of weather-activated speed signs on State Highway 29 over the Kaimai Range in New Zealand; some of which are wind and solar powered.
22 signs make up the NZ Transport Agency trial that has a goal of reducing the number of accidents over the stretch that links Waikato and the Bay of Plenty. The signs are placed along a 12km section between State Highway 28 (SH28) junction on the Waikato side, and Soldiers Road on the Tauranga side.
This part of State Highway 29 is known for its steep landscape, unpredictable weather and large number of crashes. It seems that even in poor conditions, which can include heavy rainfall, fog, high winds and ice, drivers still attempt to travel the road at 100km/h. Approximately 9,000 vehicles travel the section of road a day, including some 1,300 heavy vehicles.
“Our data shows that over 70 percent of the crashes on the Kaimai Range happen in wet weather, and that over 40 per cent of these were caused by drivers travelling too fast for the conditions,” said the Transport Agency’s chief safety advisor, Colin Brodie.
The signs and four web cameras are patched into a weather station at the summit of the Kaimai Range. Transport Agency operators will monitor the weather station and cameras 24/7; tweaking the speed limit displayed between 30km/h to 100km/h depending on weather conditions.
According to the Bay Of Plenty Times, around half of the signs are powered by solar panels and wind turbines due to the remoteness of the location.
“This trial aims to get people driving at safe speeds that are appropriate to the road and conditions,” said Mr. Brodie. “If it is successful, and there is a reduction in death and serious injuries within the trial site, it may be rolled out across similar sites around New Zealand.”
The change in speed limits along the road isn’t a suggestion for drivers – police will be enforcing them.
The trial will run for two years.
Back across the ditch, Australia’s New South Wales Road and Maritime Services (RMS) is using solar powered e-paper traffic signs on Sydney roads.
