Fanshawe Street, once notorious as Auckland’s most congested road, has undergone a major transformation through the use of smart technology.
Auckland Transport (AT) introduced a 24-hour bus lane and smart traffic lights at the Halsey Street intersection in the city centre, along with pedestrian detection technology that helps traffic flow by cancelling crossing requests if pedestrians are not present.
These improvements allow the bus lane to carry up to 5,000 people per hour, compared to just 2,000 in adjacent general traffic lanes.
Waitematā Local Board chair Genevieve Sage says, “Fanshawe Street is a key route in the heart of our city. These advancements ensure Aucklanders can commute more efficiently, reduce reliance on vehicles, and experience a smoother journey as they navigate the city centre. We’re prioritsing solutions that make a difference now while preparing for the future.”
AT’s smart traffic lights also makes sure that lights are green where it is most needed, allowing vehicles and buses to pass through the intersection more efficiently.
“With smart adjustments, we’ve turned Fanshawe Street into a prime example of how Auckland can move more people using existing infrastructure. Now, the volume of bus passengers surpasses the cars on all lanes on Nelson Street,” said AT’s Road Network Optimisation Manager Chris Martin.
This is part of a wider programme of new technology and improvements Auckland Transport, and the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi are implementing to help our existing roads keep up with the tens of thousands of extra vehicles being added to the roads each year.
