The vast stretches of Australian rural roads have long posed a safety risk. While less than 15% of our population lives in rural areas, nearly two-thirds of Australia's road fatalities occur on country roads.
But in 2025, three innovative technologies are reshaping this landscape, creating smarter, more responsive road infrastructure that actively works to reduce the number of crashes on Australian roads.
Rural Junction Active Warning System (RJAWS): Smart Intersections That Save Lives
Rural intersections, particularly those where high-speed main roads meet minor access roads, have traditionally been danger zones. Thanks to limited visibility and drivers not knowing the roads, the chances of serious accidents occurring increase.
RJAWS is an intelligent detection system developed with the Centre for Automotive Safety Research that fundamentally changes how these intersections function.
How RJAWS Works
You might be questioning how RJAWS works (if anyone will be able to remember that acronym). The system uses sensors to detect vehicles approaching from side roads and activates flashing warning lights on signs along the main road. When a vehicle approaches an intersection on a minor road, RJAWS temporarily reduces the speed limit on the major road and activates high-visibility warnings.
When the system detects a vehicle on the side road that isn't slowing down appropriately for an intersection, it can also trigger flashing lights on Stop or Give Way signs, creating multiple layers of protection.
Real-World Results
In South Australian trials across four rural intersections, the results have been remarkable:
‘When the reduced speed limit signs are activated, the average travel speed along the major road is reduced between 11.3 km/h and 22.1 km/h, with a consequent reduction in the average relative casualty risk between 43% and 58%,’ reported researchers from a 2021 Australasian Road Safety Conference study.
It’s even more encouraging that these safety benefits occurred despite not all drivers fully complying with the reduced speed limit. Thanks to these positive outcomes, researchers strongly recommended extending RJAWS to many more intersections.
The City of Onkaparinga in South Australia is currently trialling the system, with a notable installation at the intersection of Chalk Hill Road, Olivers Road and Field Street in McLaren Vale, providing valuable real-world implementation data.
Level Crossing Advance Warning System (LCAWS): Preventing Rail Crossing Tragedies
Did you know that between 2001 and 2021, New South Wales level crossings experienced 164 crashes? This resulted in 16 fatalities and 26 serious injuries, which worked out to approximately one collision every six weeks.
To address this ongoing danger, the Level Crossing Advance Warning System (LCAWS) was developed through collaboration between SAGE Automation, Transport for NSW, and the Australian Rail Track Corporation.
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How LCAWS Works
This innovative system employs two key components:
- Advance warning signs with orange flashing ‘wig-wag’ lights that activate when the system detects an approaching vehicle not slowing down adequately for the crossing
- Augmented stop signs equipped with red LED lights that remain illuminated during daylight hours and flash if a driver is approaching too quickly
On top of this, the technology is solar-powered, making it suitable for the various remote locations across the country. It also includes next-generation remote monitoring capabilities that allow for prompt maintenance and performance tracking.
Implementation and Impact
In 2023, the NSW Government launched a technology trial of LCAWS at the Mary Gilmore Way level crossing in Bribbaree, regional NSW. This pilot deployment is part of a broader strategy outlined in the Level Crossing Strategy Council's 2021-2030 plan to eliminate level crossing collisions.
A particularly promising aspect of LCAWS is its ‘vehicle-to-everything’ (V2X) readiness, positioning it for future integration with connected vehicle technologies as Australia's fleet modernises. This forward-thinking design ensures the system will remain relevant as automotive technology evolves.
LiDAR-Based Detection Systems: Seeing the Unseen
The third transformative technology making waves in 2025 is LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), which is revolutionising how we monitor roads and enforce safety.
How LiDAR Detection Works
LiDAR sensors use laser pulses to create detailed, real-time 3D maps of road environments. Unlike traditional cameras or radar, LiDAR can function in varying light conditions and can simultaneously track multiple road users, from vehicles to cyclists, with exceptional precision.
In Australia, two primary applications are gaining traction:
- Intersection safety monitoring: Systems like Omni-Aware use multiple LiDAR sensors to build continuous spatial awareness at high-risk intersections.
- Advanced speed enforcement: In March 2025, Sensys Gatso Australia selected Aeva's 4D LiDAR technology as its exclusive supplier for secondary speed verification in mobile speed detection units.
Case Study: Melbourne's LiDAR Intersection
VicRoads has pioneered an Australian-first LiDAR-based safety system at the intersection of Williamstown Road and Somerville Road in Yarraville, Melbourne, a location selected due to its crash history and diverse mix of road users.
The installation includes four LiDAR sensors and four cameras that map the real-time movement of all road users. The system detects crashes and near misses and is designed to send real-time warnings to connected vehicles.
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‘Victoria has always led the way in connected and automated vehicle technology; this is another way we're making our infrastructure and policies support the uptake of this life-saving technology,’ said Jaala Pulford, Victorian Minister for Roads, during the trial launch.
What makes this approach revolutionary is its shift from reactive to predictive safety. By analysing patterns of near misses and risky behaviours, authorities can identify and address hazards before they result in crashes.
The Integration Challenge: Making Technologies Work Together
While each of these technologies offers significant safety benefits individually, their true potential lies in integration. Australia's road authorities are continuing to investigate how these systems can work together to create comprehensive safety networks.
Enzo Dri, Managing Director of Sensys Gatso Australia, captures this vision: ‘By adding Aeva's 4D LiDAR technology into our portfolio of mobile products, our customers have a multi-modal speed enforcement solution in Australia, which includes independent secondary speed verification that can be deployed almost anywhere.’
This multi-modal approach reflects a broader shift in Australia's road safety strategy toward creating layered protection systems that work together to prevent crashes or reduce their severity when they do occur.
Also read: Do Speed Cameras Really Save Lives? An Investigation
Future Directions: What's Next for Smart Road Safety
As these technologies prove their effectiveness, what can we expect in the coming years?
- Expanded deployment: Following successful trials, we'll likely see broader implementation of these systems at high-risk locations across Australia.
- Integration with connected vehicles: As vehicle-to-infrastructure communication advances, these warning systems will increasingly communicate directly with vehicles, not just drivers.
- Data-driven road design: The rich data collected by these systems, especially LiDAR installations, will inform more targeted infrastructure improvements and enforcement strategies.
- AI-enhanced prediction: The next frontier involves artificial intelligence analysing patterns to predict and prevent crashes before they happen, moving beyond reactive measures.
Driving Safer Australian Roads
The rollout of RJAWS, LCAWS, and LiDAR-based systems represents a significant shift in Australia's approach to road safety. Rather than simply responding to crashes after they occur, these technologies actively work to prevent incidents by addressing the specific risk factors at accident-prone locations.
For drivers, especially those travelling on rural and regional roads, these innovations mean enhanced protection at historically dangerous points like unmarked intersections and level crossings. For communities, they represent fewer tragedies and a more sustainable approach to road safety.
As we look ahead, these smart road technologies are creating a future where roads don't just carry us from point A to point B, they actively participate in keeping us safe along the journey.
