Traffic signal operation in New South Wales

Traffic signal operation in New South Wales is the act of traffic management (or active traffic management) in New South Wales, Australia (NSW). Traffic signals in NSW use the Sydney Coordinated Adaptive Traffic System (SCATS) Traffic light control and coordination system.

Transport for NSW (TfNSW) is responsible for controlling signals in NSW, through the Network Operations division.[1]: 3  TfNSW also develops the Sydney Coordinated Adaptive Traffic System software, which is deployed in 216[2] cities in 33 countries.[3]

Smart traffic signal operation delivers substantial economic benefits to Sydney in travel time savings. The savings were estimated to be worth around $3.6 billion per year, compared to simpler traffic signal control.[4]: 6 

Personnel specialised in this field may be traffic engineers or traffic signal operations specialists.

As of November 2025, there were 4860 traffic signals across NSW.[5]

History

See also: History of traffic lights and Sydney Coordinated Adaptive Traffic System § History

In 1933, Australia's first traffic lights were installed at Market and Kent streets.[6] [7]: 1 [8]: 6:15  The next set of signals was installed in 1937.[7]: 2 

In the 1960s, intersection number 1 was moved to South Strathfield, New South Wales, at the intersection of the Hume Highway and Pemberton St.[8]: 6:25  It was eventually moved back.[8]: 6:42 [a]

In 1963 (or 1964, under the Inner City Signals Project,[9]) the Department of Motor Transport introduced television monitoring and computer control to 110 traffic signals wit hthe aim of easing congestion in the CBD.[10]: 144  The computer was originally located in the Department of Main Roads (New South Wales) building at 309 Castlereagh Street.[9]

Coordinated traffic signals were first trialled on Parramatta Road, unsuccessfully at first. In 1971 there were 13 systems of three or more linked signal sites.[10]: 144 

Traffic signal investment was always lacking, but "this was inevitable because of definitional arrangements of "needs"". By the end of 1971, there were 569 intersections controlled by signals and at 263 intersections traffic signals were "warranted".[10]: 144 

The 1000th installation of traffic signals in NSW started operation on April 8 1974.[7]: 2 

In 1981, the Traffic and Transport in South Sydney report made a recommendation for "traffic light adjustments to allow longer 'walk' time".[11]: 1/2 

In 1988, a pilot scheme for monitoring travel times on Victoria Road was completed using commercially available vehicle mounted transponders and loop based interrogation equipment installed in existing traffic controllers connected to the SCAT [sic] system. In May 1988 a contract was let with Advanced Systems Research (ASR) for a 150MHz system. A prototype radio system was tested on the Pacific Highway between Turramurra and Crows Nest.[12]: 49 

By August 1991 there were 2120 traffic signals at intersections in NSW and 280 at mid-block sites.[7]: 2 

Since 1994 automated pedestrian phases were enabled across the Sydney CBD from 7am to 7pm on Monday to Thursday, and from 7am to 9pm on Friday.[13][14]

By December 2009 there were 3791 traffic signals in service in NSW (including mid-block sites).[7]: 2 

In 2017, a trial of in-ground traffic signal lights were installed for pedestrians at the intersections of Pitt and Goulburn streets, and Hay and Dixon streets at a cost of $380,000.[15]

In NSW from 2022 to 2024, road crashes at signalised intersections injured 666 pedestrians and resulted in the deaths of 19 people. In 2025, at least 8 pedestrians were killed at traffic lights.[16]

Improvements for people walking and cycling

Simple signal changes can give more time or priority for people to safely cross the road.[17]: 10  If people wait too long, they get impatient and step out.[18]

Transport for NSW have improved 560 intersections between 2015 and 2025 to give pedestrians more time to begin crossing[19], an average of 56 per year. In comparison, Transport for London undertakes "annual timing reviews at 1,200 signal junctions and crossings", with reducing wait time for people walking a measured performance objective.[20]

In 1992, a draft Roads & Traffic Authority report was completed to identify factors "that influence the preparedness of pedestrians to divert from their walk 'desire line' to use a signalised intersection pedestrian facility'. Sites were confined to arterial routes located in retail shopping strings. Papers were planned to be submitted to appropriate transport or engineering journals for publication.[21]: 37, 38 

Automatic phase introduction

Automatic introduction is the practice for when signals give a green light for pedestrians or cyclists without requiring a button press.

Transport for NSW commenced a broader roll out of automatic pedestrian signals on 23 March 2020.[22][23] During COVID, pedestrian crossings at traffic lights were automatically activated 24/7 across the CBD and areas of the inner city, including Darlinghurst, Surry Hills, Pyrmont and Ultimo. Automated pedestrian crossings were expanded to key health precincts were also gradually rolled out from March 2020. Automation was not implemented state wide as it "would unnecessarily impact on traffic flow".[24]

In 2022, TfNSW began to remove the pedestrian button covers in Sydney. Crossings around health precincts were no longer automated, however automation remained during daylight hours in the CBD.[25] In the core of the CBD of Sydney, pedestrian signals remain automated during a portion of the day as of 2022.[26]

Due to noise complaints caused by the audio warning when the green man is first displayed, the hours of operation were reduced between November 2022 to January 2023. As of July 2023, in the CBD of Sydney, the pedestrian auto-call feature runs from 6am to 10pm.[14]

Automated pedestrian crossings also run on King Street Newtown and the Parramatta CBD. On some key transport routes in the Inner Sydney areas (such as the light rail corridor in Devonshire Street), automated pedestrian crossings do not operate as light rail is the priority mode.[14]

Cycle time reductions

See also: Sydney Coordinated Adaptive Traffic System § Cycle times, and Traffic light control and coordination § Cycle time

In January 2018, Transport for NSW reduced the cycle time for a subset of the Sydney CBD from 110[19] to 90 seconds.[27][28] The Lord Mayor of the City of Sydney council wrote to the Roads Minister to request a broader rollout of 90 second cycle times on the 8th of November 2018.[27][28] The Roads Minister declined to comment on the request.[28]

Removing 'green-on-green' conflicts

The NSW Pedestrian Protection Program was launched in August 2015. This involved upgrading SCATS intersections with red turn arrows for vehicles or leading pedestrian intervals (a head start) for pedestrians to increase safety.[29]

At the end of 2019-2020, $7 million had been spent and 528 of 560 locations had been completed under the program.[30] A study conducted from October 2021 to December 2022 found significant reduction in Fatal and Serious Injury pedestrian-involved crashes (between 43% to 47%), as well as a reduction of 20% (not statistically significant) to 38% (statistically significant) in overall pedestrian-involved crashes.

In 2023 Transport for NSW published a summary report on the evaluation of the program.[29] Stakeholders identified that despite initial reservations by some that the implementation may lead to greater vehicular congestion, there was no evidence to suggest this occurred.[29]: 3  The Monash University Accident Research Centre assisted with the statistical analysis for the project.[31] The program was discussed at conferences in 2022[32] and 2023.[33] The program was highlighted in a study conducted under the United States Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration Global Benchmarking Program.[34]

In November 2024 a funding announcement was made for the upgrade of 174 signalised intersections, including improved pedestrian crossings, new signal installation, and "adjusting left and right-turn signal phasing to provide greater protection for pedestrians while crossing".[35]

The Coalition Congestion Busting Technology Package allocated $400 million to "install intelligent traffic lights" at 500 intersections.[36][37] This was described in the 2019 budget as a $695 million commitment to be spent on intelligent traffic signals as well as smart M1 motorway from Sydney to Gosford, digital clearway signage, new in-car and GPS technology as well as drones.[38] In October 2023 TfNSW was completing the business case for the Intelligent Traffic Light Program, planned to optimise operation and coordination of 500 traffic signals.[39] The process for intersection selection was described in NSW Parliament Q&A in 2025.[40]

Technology trials

See also: Signal timing § Signal Phase and Timing (SPaT)

A trial of a new sensor at Manly has found longer or more frequent green signals for pedestrians reduced unsafe crossing by 34%.[41][16] The trial uses a FLIR TrafiOne camera sensor,[3]: 11  and has four thresholds. When the pedestrian occupancy is 0-8%, a 6 second green is shown. For 9-15%, 8 seconds, for 16-27% 10 seconds, and for above 28% pedestrian occupancy, 12 seconds green.[3]: 12, 14 

A similar infrared camera system will be installed at the intersection of Pitt Street and the Great Western Highway, Parramatta, located near a high school and several apartment buildings. Installation was planned to begin from the week of the 1st of December 2025. The location will expand the trial scope to detect cyclists as well as pedestrians and vehicles.[16] Five cameras will be installed at the north-east, north-west and south-west of the intersection.[42] Changes to increase "operational efficiency" were proposed in August 2017 at this intersection.[43][44] Modifications to the traffic signal layout at this intersection were made in 2018.[45] Upgrades were complete by July 2018.[46] Signal timing was previously optimised at this intersection in May-June 2025.[47]

Policies

The TfNSW Transport Modelling Guidelines state in general for new signals a "Nominal cycle time of 140 sec." should be applied for new signals and "Cycle shorter times than 140 sec may apply to off-peak traffic, to intersections along minor routes, and to isolated intersections."[48]: 191 

The SCATSIM modelling methodology[48]: 187  requires SCATS data from TfNSW Network Operations, and includes two review stages by TfNSW Network Operations.[48]: 187 

Operation

Traffic lights in NSW use a yellow time of between 4.0 and 6.4 seconds, depending on the speed and grade of the road.[49]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ A caller to ABC Radio in 2016 named Alan stated traffic signal numbers are retired if a signal is decommissioned (and they don't come back into service).[8]: 21:26 

References

  1. ^ David Ballm (November 2023). "The Evolution of Traffic Signal Operations" (PDF). Transport for NSW. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2025-05-13.
  2. ^ "Organisation". Transport for NSW. Archived from the original on 2025-11-04. Retrieved 2025-11-04.
  3. ^ a b c Roy Brown (September 2025). "SCATS SNUG Update" (PDF). Tauranga: Signals NZ User Group. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2025-11-21.
  4. ^ Transport for NSW (2015-08-10). "Inquiry into the role of smart ICT in the design and planning of infrastructure". Parliament of Australia.
  5. ^ "Transport for NSW Annual Report 2024-25 Volume 1" (PDF). Transport for NSW. 2025-11-21. p. 14.
  6. ^ "13 Oct 1933 - Australia's first traffic lights". Museums of History New South Wales. 5 December 2022. Retrieved 22 Apr 2023.
  7. ^ a b c d e Roads & Traffic Authority (April 2010). "Traffic Signal Operation - New South Wales, Australia".
  8. ^ a b c d James Valentine (2016-12-09). "The fascinating history of the numbering of Sydney's traffic lights". James Valentine Head Room. ABC. ABC Radio. 702 ABC Sydney.
  9. ^ a b Paul Rands (2025-04-05). "Road Photos & Information: New South Wales". Expressway.
  10. ^ a b c Robert Gibbons (March 1978). "TRANSPORT ADMINISTRATION AND PLANNING IN SYDNEY Co-ordinative Influences in a Multi-Organisational Policy Field" (PDF). University of Sydney.
  11. ^ South Sydney Committee of the Australian Assistance Plan (April 1981). Traffic and Transport in South Sydney.
  12. ^ Annual R&D Report 1989. Roads & Traffic Authority. December 1989. ISSN 0816-2026.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  13. ^ Nigel Gladstone (2018-09-03). "When pushing the pedestrian button works and when it doesn't". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  14. ^ a b c "414 - AUTOMATED PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS". Parliament of New South Wales. 2023-07-06.
  15. ^ Matt O'Sullivan (2017-03-30). "Sydney's in-ground street signals to combat wayward pedestrians on mobile phones". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  16. ^ a b c Minister for Roads (2025-11-28). "Wait less, walk safer: AI trial slashes risk at major pedestrian crossing by more than 30 per cent". New South Wales Government. Archived from the original on 2025-12-05.
  17. ^ 2026 Road Safety Action Plan (PDF). Transport for NSW. ISBN 978-1-922549-62-4.
  18. ^ Cindy Yin; Nigel Gladstone (2026-01-28). "Walking on this Sydney street felt like a 'traffic sewer'. Not any more". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  19. ^ a b Anthony Segaert (2025-01-31). "The change to our traffic lights that could make you happier". Sydney Morning Herald.
  20. ^ Transport for London (July 2018). "Walking action plan: Making London the world's most walkable city" (PDF). Transport for London. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2025-02-16.
  21. ^ Annual R&D Report 1992. Roads & Traffic Authority. October 1992. ISSN 1036-8825.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
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  23. ^ "AUTOMATED PEDESTRIAN SIGNALS FROM 23 MARCH 2020" (PDF). Transport for NSW. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2024-09-08.
  24. ^ "Automated pedestrian crossings to be expanded to key health precincts in Greater Sydney" (Press release). Transport for NSW. 2020-03-28. Archived from the original on 2022-12-08.
  25. ^ Rosemary Bolger (2022-10-19). "COVID covers to be removed from Sydney pedestrian buttons, but CBD traffic lights remain automated". ABC News.
  26. ^ "Automated Pedestrian Signals - Sydney CBD Map" (PDF). Transport for NSW. December 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2024-06-14.
  27. ^ a b Yvonne C Lam (2018-11-19). "Sick of Waiting at the Lights? Sydney Lord Mayor Wants to Speed Things Up for Pedestrians". Broadsheet. Archived from the original on 2025-09-25.
  28. ^ a b c Megan Gorrey (2018-11-19). "Two minutes too long before crossing? Push to shorten pedestrian wait". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 2022-01-25.
  29. ^ a b c "Evaluation of the NSW Pedestrian Protection Program Summary Report" (PDF). Transport for NSW. September 2023.
  30. ^ Transport for NSW Centre for Road Safety. "NSW Road Safety Progress Report 2020" (PDF). 1. p. 11. ISBN 978-1-922549-01-3. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2026-02-14.
  31. ^ Newstead, Stuart; Stephan, Karen; Lawrence, Brendan (2022). "Statistical analysis to support the NSW Pedestrian Protection Program Evaluation". Monash University.
  32. ^ Prabhakharan, P; Sterling, K; Baker, J (2022). Evaluation of the NSW pedestrian protection program (PDF). Australasian Road Safety Conference. Christchurch, New Zealand. p. 545. doi:10.33492/ARSC-2022 (inactive 20 November 2025). ISBN 9780648184850. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2024-10-28.{{cite conference}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of November 2025 (link)
  33. ^ Prabhakharan, P; Stephan, K; Lawrence, B; Newstead, S (2023). NSW Pedestrian Protection Program: improving pedestrian safety at signalised intersections (PDF). Australasian Road Safety Conference. Cairns, Queensland, Australia. doi:10.33492/ARSC-2023 (inactive 20 November 2025). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2024-06-06.{{cite conference}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of November 2025 (link)
  34. ^ Jonah Chiarenza; Annisha Borah; Mary Geschwindt; Larissa Ireland; Yu Jin Kim; Noah Levine; Hoamy Tran (June 2023). "Improving Pedestrian Safety on Urban Arterials: Learning from Australasia" (PDF). US Department of Transportation. p. 43.
  35. ^ John Graham; Jenny Aitchison (2024-11-22). "Over half a billion dollars now allocated to NSW road safety projects". Minister for Infrastructure.
  36. ^ "The New South Wales Infrastructure Blue Book" (PDF). Infrastructure Partnerships Australia. 2019. p. 12.
  37. ^ "The Pipeline Report" (PDF). Infrastructure Partnerships Australia. March 2019. p. 3.
  38. ^ "Infrastructure Statement 2019-20 (Budget Paper No. 2)" (PDF). Treasury of New South Wales. p. 34.
  39. ^ "FIRST SESSION OF THE FIFTY-EIGHTH PARLIAMENT - QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS - LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY No 34" (PDF). Parliament of New South Wales. 2023-10-19. p. 25.
  40. ^ "LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS No. 143" (PDF). Parliament of New South Wales. 2025-11-20. pp. 10, 11.
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  42. ^ Donna Davis MP (2025-12-05). "Untitled Facebook post". facebook. Archived from the original on 2025-12-05.
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  44. ^ "Pitt Street to Marsden Street, Parramatta". Transport for NSW. Archived from the original on 2024-04-25.
  45. ^ "Project update – Intersection improvements along the Great Western Highway at Pitt Street and Marsden Street, Parramatta" (PDF). Transport for NSW. November 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2024-05-17.
  46. ^ "Great Western Highway at Pitt Street and Marsden Street, Parramatta" (PDF). Transport for NSW. July 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2025-12-05.
  47. ^ "Great Western Highway lane changes and T-Way bus stop relocation, Parramatta from Sunday 18 May 2025" (PDF). Transport for NSW. May 2025. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2025-05-15.
  48. ^ a b c Navreet Virdi (October 2025). "Transport Modelling Guidelines". Transport for NSW. Archived from the original on 2025-11-21.
  49. ^ Julie Power (2024-03-05). "The one-second decision that could have you fined, rear-ended or worse". The Sydney Morning Herald.
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