Drivers in New South Wales are set to benefit from a fibre-optic boost to traffic light technology delivered by Vocus.

Transport for NSW and specialist fibre and network solutions provider Vocus are partnering to upgrade 1,000 traffic lights across the state to pave the way for a more intelligent and adaptable road network. The upgrades will replace the existing copper network connections with nbn full fibre to deliver high bandwidth, low latency connectivity with flexibility for future needs.

Infrastructure that can do more

The high-bandwidth connection for the traffic lights lays the foundation for integrating additional smart city technologies around traffic lights like connected automated vehicles (CAVs), smart sensors, intelligent systems and AI, and mobility-as-a-service (MaaS).

End-of-life copper-based technologies like ADSL that have traditionally been used to control traffic lights are being withdrawn from market and upgraded to new solutions by telecommunications companies.

Collaboration between NSW Government and Vocus

Vocus will manage the process of installing the upgrades to the traffic lights, using the nbn™ Smart Places solution. nbn™ Smart Places provides a dedicated nbn fibre link directly to poles or cabinets, independent of nearby buildings. It uses a tiny modem that slots straight into existing infrastructure.

"We're thrilled to support Transport for NSW in this crucial project of upgrading 1,000 traffic lights to full fibre connectivity," says Andrew Wildblood, Chief Executive Enterprise and Government at Vocus. "Vocus’ recent experience in upgrading another road authority’s traffic lights to fibre and many outdoor locations for a major water utility gives us the experience needed to roll out this technology rapidly."

The upgrades are planned to be completed over the next 18 months in both metropolitan locations and regional centres in New South Wales.