MEDIA RELEASE
10 NOVEMBER 2009
RESULTS RELEASED FROM THE FIRST
ISA TRIAL IN AUSTRALIA
Early results of the $1 million NSW Intelligent Speed Adaptation (ISA) trial were released
today at the inaugural ISA Conference in Sydney.
The trial, launched in June 2008, received widespread interest internationally. The
conference today gave attendees a chance to explore early results of the NSW trial which
is due to finish mid 2010.
Dr Soames Job from the RTA NSW Centre for Road Safety said on average 194 people
died in speed related crashes every year on NSW roads.
“The ISA is being trialled to see if we can reduce speed related crashes in Australia.
“The NSW trial is the largest of its type in Australia involving more than
100 volunteer
private business and non-business drivers in the Illawarra
region. Participants include
repeat speed offenders and young drivers.
“The early indications from the trial show that drivers with ISA devices are more aware of
the speed limit and are speeding less than they were before the device was installed.
“The technology so far has been well received and drivers taking part in the trial are
starting to notice the benefits.
“The time drivers spent travelling five kilometres or more above the speed limit has almost
halved during the short time the device has been installed.
“An ISA device knows the speed limit with
the use of GPS satellite technology and a
speed zone map, and advises the driver if they exceed the legal speed limit.
“The device uses an audio warning and a visual
display to alert the driver and also
advises of the recommended speed of coming signposted curves.
“The Illawarra region was chosen for the trial because of its wide variety of road
environments, speed zones and diversity of businesses and residents.
“Around 2500 kilometres of road was
mapped in the Illawarra region which included 932
speed zones, 4000 speed signs and 452 curve advisory signs.
“Each vehicle had a data recorder installed a month before the ISA device, and it will be
removed some months after the ISA device is removed.
“The data recorder records GPS location and speed information every 10 seconds while
driving and enables us to understand their speed behaviour, before, during and after the
ISA device.
“More than
three
million speed location records have been collected so far
to use when
developing new and innovative analysis techniques.
“An extensive amount of research was carried out before the trial became a reality and
using more than 100 cars is something that has not been carried out in Australia before.
“We will continue to monitor the trial and this may become the benchmark for delivery of
ISA devices,” Dr Job said.
CONTACT:
RTA Media Unit 8588 5999
NEWS 
