RTA Live Traffic vs. TAMS Nothing

Started by Sir Pompously, December 03, 2010, 04:31:18 PM

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Sir Pompously

Is there any way of finding information on road closures online apart from TAMS Temporary Road Closures which do not get updated when there is flooding or any other closures? RTA Have live traffic, which gives you updated information on road closures in a certain region based on traffic events or natural events causing a road to be closed or with large delays. Seeing as though Canberra is so reliant on its roadways for traffic, you would somewhat think a live traffic system would actually be beneficial........

Barry Drive

Try TrafficCanberra and/or ACTPol_Traffic on twitter.

Sir Pompously

Ah don't use twitter, have nothing but facebook now as I do not use the others.

400:D

There are some online apps, don't know how reliable they are though.

Irisbus Rider

IMHO, Canberra/ACT isn't large enough to justify a fully operational traffic centre and a system of statewide CCTV cameras monitoring road and traffic conditions.

The ACT has a population of just under 350,000, ans the structure of government services is reminiscent to that of a glorified city council. Whereas the state of NSW has over 7 million people. So to expect the same information from TAMS, as is received from the RTA, is not realistic.

However, to simply update road closures (not on a real-time basis) is within the operational grounds of TAMS.

Sir Pompously

You may not have to have a fully operational traffic centre, John, however up to date information is needed. We are heavily reliant on roads, 350,000 vs. 7 Million it does not matter, citizens still require information to make their travel easier.

Irisbus Rider

Population comparisons is what it's all about, as the number of citizens that reside in a City/State determines the income flow into the Gov't, which determines what the Gov't is capable of.

Up to date traffic information requires either fixed cameras (which requires constant maintenance, and and a way for this information to be transferred to the general public), or information from on the ground employees, which is unsustainable in any organisation. Real time info on traffic volumes travelling through intersections could be utilised, but intensive technology supporting equipment is required for this.

Anyway, the private sector is leading the way in live traffic information; predominantly Google Maps (which RTA utilises), however, even my phone is equipped with a GPS which displays live traffic (courtesy of Nokia Ovi Maps). If the ACT Gov't were to introduce something like this, it would just be another paper pushing, money wasting department, providing inadequate and out of date information.