New Overhead Traveller Information Systems installed around Hobart remain switched off

With the widespread use of smartphones, Labor has questioned the purpose of newly installed electronic highway signs across Greater Hobart that have not been switched on.

Labor transport spokeswoman Meg Brown in front of a blank electronic traffic sign on the South Arm Highway. Picture: Simon McGuire.

It is unknown when the new electronic highway signs installed across Greater Hobart late last year will be switched on.

In October, the government announced that it would be installing five Overhead Traveller Information Systems (OTIS) signboards.

But many of the signs intended to provide real-time information to help road users make informed travel decisions remain blank.

Labor transport spokeswoman Meg Brown said 13 electronic highway signboards were installed across the state at a cost of $22m.

Minister Kerry Vincent. GBE hearings 2024. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

However, Infrastructure Minister Kerry Vincent said the funding for the signboards was a 50-50 split between the state and federal governments that was part of the National Highway Program.

Ms Brown said the signs provided “little to no information and little benefit to Tasmanians when it comes to traffic management”.

“These signs provide the same amount from their smartphones or sometimes in their car prior to taking the journey.

“So they are a complete waste of taxpayer funds. There’s numerous things that this could have been spent on.”

Ms Brown said her constituents had voiced concerns about the inactive electronic highway signboards.

“I’ve had numerous people come up to me and say what a ridiculous waste of taxpayer funds that this government has put into these signs when they could have been used on numerous other projects.”

Electronic highway signboard on the Tasman Highway near Hobart Airport. New signboards being installed across Southern Tasmania. Picture: Supplied

Mr Vincent said he was unaware of when the signs would be operational.

“Building those signboards is the easy part.

“The big part of that is making sure they’re calibrated with our network and we can use those signboards technically.

“Yes, we would like to see them on; we’re excited to see them coming online.

“At this stage, they’re just working through the calibration of those units.”

But Ms Brown said it was “absolutely not good enough”.

“They should have had this worked out prior to them being installed.

“They should have the technology in hand, they should have these signs ready to go – and for $22m – they should be working for Tasmanians.”