The $3bn NorthConnex tunnel will link the M1 Pacific Motorway at Wahroonga to The Hills M2 Motorway at West Pennant Hills, removing around 5,000 trucks off Pennant Hills Road each day. At nine (9) kilometres long, the NorthConnex will be the longest road tunnel project in Australia to date.
Incident detection and traffic management
Armitage Group won the contract to deliver two packages for the NorthConnex project: 1) A comprehensive video based Automatic Video Incident Detection (AVID) system and 2) LED Tunnel Signage. All equipment supplied for this project has been designed and manufactured to suit harsh environments and is suitable for long term use in a road tunnel/motorway environment.
Comprising a complete suite of camera incident detection, LED Tunnel Message Signs (TMS) and LED Integrated Speed and Lane Use Signs (ISLUS), designed to be fully integrated into the NorthConnex Operations Management and Control System (OMCS).
A co-creation approach
The NorthConnex Project Engineering Team and Armitage Group adopted a co-creation approach to fulfil the project specifications. The project scope included the requirement to design, test, supply and support a complete Intelligent Traffic System (ITS) package, throughout the full length of the main tunnel, tunnel ramps and around the portals.
Working together
As the project progressed, Armitage Group worked together with the team from Lend Lease Bouygues to overcome challenges and provide innovative solutions. Resulting in the provision of the very first IP67 rated TMS signs by way of innovation, a first in ITS in Australia.
A comprehensive matrix
Altogether, the contract consisted of over 400 automatic video incident detection cameras with built in edge analytics and over 300 specialised LED tunnel messaging and integrated speed and lane use signs. Providing a comprehensive matrix of video detection and LED messaging, ensuring drivers are informed and kept safe in the case of an incident.
Commitment to innovation
As a proven provider of Intelligent Traffic Systems (ITS), coupled with a commitment to innovation, Armitage Group endeavours to continue to supply innovative, intelligent solutions for incident detection, traffic management and public safety.
Armitage Group is currently working with the commissioning team to bring cameras and signage online and looks forward to the tunnel opening mid 2020.
By Michelle Ryan
A FLIR Premium Partner