New national traffic management operation opens on North Shore

After much planning and preparation, Auckland’s new Traffic Operations Centre has gone live at its new home at Smales Farm Technology Park on the North Shore.

The new centre had its formal opening ceremony today and was attended by four Auckland mayors, North Shore MP Wayne Mapp, NZTA Auckland Regional Manager Wayne McDonald, and many others associated with this project.

North Shore Mayor Andrew Williams spoke, along with mayoral counterparts Len Brown and John Banks, about the importance of the unit in terms of providing a world class traffic management system for the economic and social well being of the region going forward.

Mayor Williams said the unit is a very welcome and fitting addition to the ever expanding high quality technology park that is Smales Farm.

“In recent years we have seen this technology park flourish into a vibrant hub alongside the Northern Busway and the likes of Air New Zealand, Sovereign and EDS who have followed Telstra Clear’s lead in basing themselves at the park.”

“All of this has been made possible by smart planning and development, including a sizable investment in fibre optic cabling running under the busway which enables this centre to link into the national fibre network system,” said Mayor Williams.

“We now welcome yet another national organisation joining the North Shore family of businesses who have recognised our city’s excellent ICT connectivity and 21st century business environment.”

The new unit serves as the nerve centre for traffic management in Auckland, and a key component of developing a national 24/7 traffic operation for all of New Zealand.

Expert operators based at the centre monitor and manage what’s happening on the region’s roads and motorways, manage over 700 controlled intersections and co-ordinate incident responses to keep traffic flowing.

New technology at the unit enables more high quality information about road conditions to get to motorists where and when they need it most. It will also provide essential information to support emergency services such as Police, Fire and Ambulance.

As well as monitoring the roading network, the new unit will help to provide security at many of Auckland’s busy transport facilities. On the North Shore, this will include the five busway stations and three ferry terminals, including Birkenhead, Northcote Point and Stanley Bay terminals.

“Improving the performance of New Zealand’s transport network will help create economic benefits by attracting more organisations to do business here in New Zealand.”

“Improved journey time reliability in comparative cities around the world with similar systems has enhanced business productivity and improved business confidence.”

“It will also play an important role in helping Aucklanders make smart decisions on how they get around our region and country for work and leisure.”

“Additionally, it will also deliver improved road safety and reduced vehicle emissions for all,” says Mayor Williams.