New Zealand's Ministry of Transport recently released for public consultation a draft of the Intelligent Transport Systems it is currently working on.
The action plan involves the application of advanced technologies (computers, sensors, control, and communications) to transport to address challenges specific to the country, including low population density, distance from international markets, the long thin form of the country, and the limited number of alternative routes should State highways or the main trunk line be unavailable.
Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee said New Zealand already has some intelligent transport systems technologies in use.
"Traffic control centers in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch rely heavily on technology to gather information on traffic conditions, adjust traffic signals and provide real-time information for travellers in order to operate the network efficiently," he said.
The draft action plan, however, calls for identifying and removing barriers to the introduction of intelligent transport systems.
It builds on conversations Ministry of Transport officials had with the intelligent transport systems sector and central government agencies earlier this year.