Stuck at a red light to get on the freeway? Here’s what’s really going on

From traffic signals and smart freeways to real-time incident detection, technology is playing an increasingly important role in how people and freight move around Western Australia.

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In this episode of the Horizons podcast, Ruth Callaghan speaks with Scott Fennelly from Main Roads Western Australia about the intelligent transport systems already working behind the scenes to make our roads safer and keep traffic moving.

Scott explains how WA’s road network is monitored around the clock, with people, processes and technology working together to respond to incidents, manage congestion and improve safety. From ramp signals controlling the flow of vehicles onto smart freeways to systems giving buses and freight vehicles priority at traffic lights, many of these technologies are already part of our daily commutes.

The conversation also looks ahead to the future of transport in WA, including connected vehicles receiving real-time information about incidents and delays, machine learning helping identify high-risk areas before serious crashes occur, and greater integration between road and public transport systems.

Listen to the full episode to discover how technology is changing the way WA moves, and why the smartest parts of our road network are often the ones drivers never see.

Chapters

(0:00) What intelligent transport systems really are
(1:47) Scott Fennelly, Main Roads WA
(2:46) Inside the Road Network Operations Centre
(5:38) How ITS tackles congestion. Smart freeways and ramp metering explained
(7:00) Beyond traffic control
(9:29) Why drivers feel frustrated and how in-car connected alerts will change that
(12:02) How signal priority cuts fuel use and emissions
(14:10) AI and machine learning. Predicting incidents before they happen
(17:08) How Main Roads built its own real-time platform
(21:13) What a smart freeway actually does
(24:29) The ITS Master Plan
(27:53) Real-world impact
(29:42) Managing a road network the size of a third of Europe
(31:24) 100 years of Main Roads