The Minns Labor Government is using cutting-edge artificial intelligence to make one of Sydney's busiest pedestrian hotspots safer, and the early results are dramatic.
A world-first trial at Manly in Sydney's Northern Beaches has cut risky crossings by more than a third, using smart cameras, AI data processing and adaptive traffic lights to safely move crowds pouring off ferries and buses.
At the intersection of The Esplanade and Belgrave Street, where pedestrian numbers can surge from a dozen to more than a thousand in minutes, the technology has delivered a 34 per cent drop in people stepping out on the flashing red man.
The high-tech smart system uses thermal imaging cameras to detect real-time crowd numbers, feeding live data straight into Transport for NSW's adaptive traffic platform, SCATS.
When the system detects a surge, it automatically gives people more frequent or longer green-walk signals, reducing wait times and stopping dangerous crowd spill-over onto the road.
This is a major safety win for one of Sydney's busiest pedestrian precincts, with Manly Wharf welcoming 800 ferry services every week and thousands of locals and visitors moving through the foreshore each day.
Building on the success at Manly, the Minns Labor Government is now progressing plans for a second site in the Parramatta CBD, planned for switch-on in 2026.
The intelligent infrared cameras will be coupled with AI optical cameras, with installation commencing next week at the intersection of Pitt Street and the Great Western Highway, Parramatta.
The Parramatta site, located near a high school and several apartment buildings will expand the scope of the trial to test the accuracy and reliability of these new detection technologies across vehicle and bicycle as well as pedestrian traffic.
The stakes are high. Between 2022 and 2024, crashes at signalised intersections in NSW injured 666 pedestrians and claimed 19 lives. Already this year, eight pedestrians have been killed at traffic lights.
The goal of this technology is simple: cut those numbers, save lives, and make everyday crossings safer for everyone.
Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison said:
"This is yet another example of the Minns Government pulling every lever to make our roads and communities safer. Walking on the red is dangerous and we are using this technology to save lives.
"Whether you've just stepped off the ferry or you're heading to the beach or the shops, this is about keeping people safe at one of the busiest crossings in NSW.
"On a sunny afternoon, Manly can go from a handful of people waiting to cross to hundreds in seconds. This smart technology keeps crowds moving safely, stops people taking risks, and keeps traffic flowing when foot traffic is lighter.
"The best sites for this technology are ones where there are large surges in pedestrian numbers due to conditions or time of day like at Manly, or near schools like our upcoming Parramatta trial site.
"It's a clear example of how new tools can help keep communities safe, and why we're exploring more locations where this approach can make a real difference."
