High-tech switch turns Sydney's Western Distributor into a smart motorway

State-of-the-art smart motorway technology has been switched on today on Sydney’s Western Distributor, delivering safer journeys and improving traffic flow.

Similar smart technology signage has reduced travel times on the M4 Motorway by 20 per cent and cut crashes by a quarter since its installation in 2021.

The technology provides motorists with real-time digital information, including speed limit changes and safety messages, in response to congestion and incidents for a safer and more consistent journey.

The digital system results in the faster clearance of incidents that lead to traffic snarls in this critical corridor between the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the CBD and the Anzac Bridge.

The Western Distributor is used by 130,000 motorists a day. 

A series of 19 new gantries and four existing gantries along 5.5 kilometres between Anzac Bridge and Sydney Harbour Bridge now include automatic incident detection technology, vehicle detection technology, CCTV coverage and variable and static message signs.

The $179 million project was supported by $80 million from the Australian Government and $99 million from the NSW Government. 

Find further information about the Western Distributor Smart Motorway

Quotes attributable to Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:

“Thanks to our investment in smart tech on the Western Distributor, motorists can expect to see improvements in safety, efficiency and reliability along this busy stretch.

“Resilient and reliable transport is the backbone of the nation – so delivering this type of infrastructure creates jobs, builds opportunity and unlocks economic growth and productivity.”

Quotes attributable to NSW Roads Minister John Graham:

“About 130,000 vehicles use the Western Distributor each day, it is a critical part of the Sydney road network which makes it the right place to deploy the smartest technology to help keep traffic flowing.

“This technology has a proven track record of reducing travel times but also reducing crashes.

“When an incident happens this system reacts immediately which should ensure that time lost to delays is reduced. We all want more time at home and with family and less time looking at the brake lights of the car in front.

Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Sydney Tanya Plibersek:

“This technology will significantly improve the reliability of travel times on the Western Distributor, making it easier for locals to travel across the city.

“The Federal and NSW Labor governments will keep working together to deliver infrastructure that will make roads safer and more reliable.”

Quotes attributable to Transport for NSW Coordinator-General Howard Collins:

“The Western Distributor Smart Motorway delivers vital safety and efficiency improvements on one of Sydney’s major road corridors.  

“The latest technology collects real-time information and uses advanced communications and traffic control systems to automatically improve traffic flow and road user safety. 

“It will increase network resilience, improve travel time and reliability, advance traffic safety and enhance the road user experience.”