Danish wireless technology company 3778 Blip Systems has supplied engineering and technology services provider Beca with its BlipTrack Bluetooth traffic monitoring system, which has been deployed in Waikato, New Zealand.
The Te Rapa Bypass project is the first of a planned US$2 billion investment by the6296 New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) in the Waikato region’s transportation network over the next eight years. The BlipTrack solution has been established in advance of these projects and will continue to assess the benefits of each of these projects as they are completed.
Nine BlipTrack roadside mounted sensors have been installed to monitor travel times and route choices across the Waikato Region, with more units being added as new sections of road are opened.
BlipTrack uses anonymous Bluetooth devices such as cell phones, headsets and in-car navigation systems to track vehicles and monitor travel times and route preferences. The Bluetooth address is encrypted in the sensor, making it impossible to relate the information to an individual.
Project manager for the Waikato Expressway, Richard Young says, “We’re extremely pleased with the final result. The new road is delivering real time savings for all motorists, along with making the journey safer. In total it takes about seven minutes off commuters’ journeys each day. That is a significant time saving and also a saving on fuel costs.”
The system has also implemented in other parts of the country, including Wellington and Auckland following the completion of the US$250 million Victoria Park Tunnel in the city, and at Auckland airport, where BlipTrack is used for monitoring pedestrians.
Beca’s senior transportation analyst, Chris Vallyon, has been pleased with BlipTrack’s performance. He says, “The Bluetooth tracking technology provided by Blip Systems provides a significant addition to the suite of technologies available to assist New Zealanders in understanding the performance of their assets and infrastructure. The hardware has proven to be robust enough to survive New Zealand’s volatile weather conditions, and the vendors have been proactive and efficient in creating a highly flexible matching system and then adapting it to suit our specific requirements. We’re very satisfied with the service we’ve received to date.”
The Te Rapa Bypass project is the first of a planned US$2 billion investment by the
Nine BlipTrack roadside mounted sensors have been installed to monitor travel times and route choices across the Waikato Region, with more units being added as new sections of road are opened.
BlipTrack uses anonymous Bluetooth devices such as cell phones, headsets and in-car navigation systems to track vehicles and monitor travel times and route preferences. The Bluetooth address is encrypted in the sensor, making it impossible to relate the information to an individual.
Project manager for the Waikato Expressway, Richard Young says, “We’re extremely pleased with the final result. The new road is delivering real time savings for all motorists, along with making the journey safer. In total it takes about seven minutes off commuters’ journeys each day. That is a significant time saving and also a saving on fuel costs.”
The system has also implemented in other parts of the country, including Wellington and Auckland following the completion of the US$250 million Victoria Park Tunnel in the city, and at Auckland airport, where BlipTrack is used for monitoring pedestrians.
Beca’s senior transportation analyst, Chris Vallyon, has been pleased with BlipTrack’s performance. He says, “The Bluetooth tracking technology provided by Blip Systems provides a significant addition to the suite of technologies available to assist New Zealanders in understanding the performance of their assets and infrastructure. The hardware has proven to be robust enough to survive New Zealand’s volatile weather conditions, and the vendors have been proactive and efficient in creating a highly flexible matching system and then adapting it to suit our specific requirements. We’re very satisfied with the service we’ve received to date.”
