Queensland Transport plans to replace traffic cameras with new technology in road safety push

Queensland’s fleet of traffic cameras will be swapped out for futuristic new systems to crack down on offences that are currently hard to catch or don’t even exist yet.

Queensland’s fleet of traffic cameras are set to be swapped out for new souped-up technology in order to catch drivers behaving badly for offences that are currently hard to catch or don’t yet exist.

And the increased use of artificial intelligence in the state’s next-generation fleet of traffic cameras is also being explored, with authorities keen to reinforce the “anywhere, anytime” approach.

It can be revealed the Department of Transport and Main Roads has reached out to the market in a bid to “explore future technology options”, telling industry it’s a “unique opportunity to help shape the future of road safety technology and systems”.

The request for information document, obtained by the Sunday Mail, revealed the department is interested in “any technology solutions” which target road safety issues, regardless of “whether there is an offence in the current legislation”.

Queensland Transport is set to replace many of its traffic cameras in the coming years. Adam Head

This comes amid changes within government which have shifted ownership of the camera system from Queensland Police to Transport and Main Roads, while the Queensland Revenue Office takes charge of processing fines.

The approach to market revealed authorities are hoping to move to a “fee-for-service” model, where the hardware and infrastructure for the camera network are owned by a third-party instead of the state.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads, in the document, noted many of the fixed, mobile, and red light cameras were nearing end of usable life — with the red light cameras to become “unsupported” technologically in the 2023/24 financial year.

And they want the new fleet of cameras to detect more poor driver behaviour and be better at automatically recognising number plates while being easier to move around and install.

The document noted hopes to one day have cameras detect drivers incorrectly using designated lanes, catching truck drivers using prohibited routes, motorists tailgating, failing to keep left on highways, hooning and blocking intersections.

“Additionally, where devices rely on machine learning or artificial intelligence to detect events TMR is interested in understanding the emergence and applicability of any relevant Australian or international standards to such devices and the possible certification processes,” it noted.

Queensland Transport wants cameras that can identify offences that are currently hard to catch. Picture: David Clark

A Department of Transport and Main Roads spokeswoman said there was no “specific time frame” on when it hoped to have new bad driving offences in place, and that the approach to market was to figure out what suitable technologies were available internationally.

The spokeswoman said the move to a model involving third party ownership of the hardware and infrastructure was in line with “most Australian jurisdictions”.

“The Queensland Government has stringent controls in place to ensure data security, including requiring that service providers comply with all relevant legislation and various security controls and standards,” she said.

Review of market submissions are set to be completed by the end of May 2023.

Originally published as Queensland Transport plans to replace traffic cameras with new technology in road safety push