Rerouting Workzone Traffic with SmartVMS in New Zealand

Utilising floating car data to provide ultimate alternative routes in real time

Overview

Lincoln Road is a major four-lane road in West Auckland, New Zealand. Auckland Transport engaged project contractor Ventia to conduct a short-term roading rehabilitation on Lincoln Road and wanted to minimise delays and frustration for motorists caused by road closures and rerouting. The parties involved in this project wanted to find a better alternative to rerouting motorists.

The Challenge

Lincoln Road is one of the busiest arterials in West Auckland, and there was risk of a short-term roading rehabilitation project causing delays and impacts that would frustrate motorists. Traditionally, for short-term projects, message boards or signs would be deployed to alert motorists of upcoming construction, asking them to consider an alternative route, but rerouting was frustrating, unclear, and out of the driver's control. Simultaneously, road contractors want to deliver projects on time, on budget, and need to protect the safety of their workers. If the roadway is still being used by motorists, the contractor’s productivity would be negatively impacted.

The Solution

Smart City NZ, on behalf of Ventia and Auckland Transport, and with solution partners SMATS Traffic Solutions (for real-time traffic data capture and analytics), and SHAPE Technology (for VMS Sign Management Software), deployed SmartVMS (Variable Message Signs), an industry first in New Zealand, to give motorists rerouting options that would save them time and help protect road workers from high volumes of traffic. The SmartVMS goes beyond anticipated delays and offers actionable insights into the best and most efficient detours.

For this project, SMATS' crowdsourced floating car data was chosen to provide reliable, sensor free data, including real time vehicle speeds and travel times in areas surrounding the project site. Using this data, the team had the flexibility of monitoring as many different routes simultaneously for as long or short periods of time as needed. As the work zone moves, adding or removing monitored routes takes only a few clicks in iNode, SMATS’ data platform.

The SmartVMS system ingests the insights generated in iNode, and guides motorists to the quickest alternative routes, informing them what the delay time will be depending on the chosen route. Message signs were able to be easily moved to accommodate changing routes.

Results

Utilising SMATS' crowdsourced traffic data and iNode cloud-based application, the SmartVMS provided motorists with details on alternative routes and what delay times could be expected. Motorists were given the autonomy to make their own route decisions, shortening journey time and reducing motorist frustration and uncertainty. The SmartVMS system helped ensure the project was delivered on time and on budget, and motorists were happy with the system. Additionally, by giving motorists informed choice in their route options, fewer motorists passed through the construction area, increasing health and safety for roadworkers.

"We have used “Smart VMS” boards at Lincoln Road Rehab starting from 3rd January 2024 to 20th January 2024. The boards were very effective in informing the public which detour to use. This minimised complaints and prevented traffic build up. We will definitely use them again in these situations. We were complimented by Auckland Transport on how we managed this project and made traffic management a high priority.Thank you for the good service.”