Sensors and high-definition cameras are being rolled out at pedestrian crossings near Melbourne schools to make students safer and cut down traffic-light waits for motorists.
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The Victorian government on Friday announced it is installing innovative pedestrian crossing technology at 75 sites in the city's west, east and southeast.
The gadgets will be able to detect how many pedestrians are waiting and adjust crossing times to suit, complementing the efforts of Victoria's 3000 daily school crossing supervisors.
Roads and Road Safety Minister Ben Carroll said the technology would be in action at 20 crossings when term two began on Monday, with installation on the remaining 55 to be completed by 2022.
"We're moving away from program-based electronic speed and pedestrian crossings to real-time sensory-based information," Mr Carroll told reporters.
"It will make sure that young people and families are crossing safely. But equally families and people getting to work will be spending less time idling in the motor vehicle."
Busy intersections with high pedestrian numbers and near train stations are being targeted for the upgrades, including locations at Clarinda Primary School and St Joseph's Primary School in Boronia.
"These are the sorts of roads that we want this dynamic, innovative technology rolled out," Mr Carroll said outside Werribee's Heathdale Christian College on Friday.
The roads minister conceded the lights would trigger more readily when 10 to 15 students were waiting on the curb, rather than just one or two.
"It will take a bit longer and just require a bit more patience before you cross the road," Mr Carroll said.
But he flatly denied the program would discriminate against students who arrive and depart school with or without their friends.
"Far from it," Mr Carroll said.
"This is about really making sure that young kids get to class safely. Whether you're coming by yourself, or you're coming with a brother or sister, or the kids in your local street."
It is unclear how much each of the dynamic pedestrian crossings is likely to cost taxpayers, although they will be funded through a $340 million Victorian roads package.
Some 125 new electronic speed signs in school zones are also being delivered as part of the program.
The state government says the upgrades will help Victoria in its strategy to halve road deaths and significantly reduce serious injuries by 2030.
Australian Associated Press
