Robinson Road West on intersection with Gympie Road in Aspley is currently testing the Hold the Red technology as part of efforts to reduce collisions caused by motorists running red lights.
The Ministry for Transport and Main Roads selected the Aspley intersection after it was identified as a potentially dangerous intersection. It is one of the busiest intersections in Queensland, with more than 68,000 vehicles passing through the intersection every day. In the past five years, there were 24 crashes and 11 serious injuries due to crashes at the intersection.
The technology uses radar to see if vehicles are about to run a red light. When this happens, the opposing traffic lights are forced to stay on red to prevent a possible collision.
Preventing Collisions
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey revealed that the technology is already being used in Florida where it has been instrumental in the significant decline of collisions at intersections.
Mr Bailey said that around 11 percent of critical road casualties in the state happened at intersections with traffic lights.
“During the past five years, 42 people have been killed and more than 3,000 hospitalised in crashes at signalised intersections in Queensland,” said Mr Bailey.
“Red light running is a complex problem. There is no single reason why drivers do it but what we do know is that resulting accidents are likely to be T-bone crashes, which have a higher potential of causing death or serious injury.
“Hold the Red lowers the risk of a crash at sites where it is installed while still allowing for offenders to be penalised.
“This will keep other drivers safe, while still acting as a deterrence to offenders.”
Queensland’s peak monitoring body RACQ lauded the introduction of the Hold the Red technology at crash prone intersections.
RACQ’s Head of Technical and Safety Policy Steve Spalding believes that the system could help prevent T-bone crashes.
“We look forward to the results of the trial and are always interested in new technologies that can reduce crashes,” Mr Spalding said.