Drivers in the Upper Hunter will soon be part of a NSW-first trial of smart highway technology designed to make one of driving's most dangerous manoeuvres safer.
The Rural Intersection Speed Zone (RISZ) system is designed to make turning onto busy highways safer.
The system will be switched on at the intersection of Ulan Road and the Golden Highway near Cassilis, between Merriwa and Dunedoo in a NSW first.
Using radar, the system detects vehicles approaching the intersection on Ulan Road and temporarily lowers the speed limit on the Golden Highway using variable speed limit signs.
The reduced speed creates safer gaps in traffic, giving drivers more time to react and allowing vehicles entering the highway.
This will allow particularly larger, slower-moving vehicles, to merge more safely before the speed limit returns to normal.
Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison said road safety has traditionally focused solely on seatbelts and speed limits, but technology could help broaden that focus and reduce other risks.
"We know risky behaviours like not driving to the conditions or sudden braking contributes to deaths and serious injuries on our roads," she said.
"The technology uses radar to detect vehicles approaching the intersection and temporarily lowers the speed limit on the highway.
"This creates safer gaps in traffic, helping larger and slower vehicles enter the highway more safely."
Designed specifically for rural intersections, RISZ aims to reduce the likelihood and severity of crashes while avoiding the need for permanent speed reductions on high-speed roads.
The fully self-contained, solar-powered system combines vehicle detection, variable speed limit signs, communications and remote monitoring technology in a single unit managed through a centralised control system.
While similar systems are used in Victoria, this is the first trial of its kind in NSW.
Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said the region has always been a place of firsts, "a place where ideas are tested, proven and put to work".
"Trialling this new, smart technology is another example of our region leading the way and delivering practical outcomes," she said.
"We all have a role to play in making our roads safe and this trial is about using innovative technologies to help keep people safe on our roads in the Upper Hunter."
The trial will start in early August and will run for a year.
