This article describes several examples of important advances in road traffic technology originating in Australia and New Zealand. New Zealand traffic engineers developed a pressure-sensitive detector, to locate the presence of pedestrians within the detection zone adjacent to the signal pole of a Pedestrian User-Friendly Intelligent Signals (Puffin) pedestrian crossing. The 1992 release of the New Zealand and Australian Standards (NZS/AS1428.4-1992) for tactile ground surface treatment provided an ideal opportunity to introduce these Smartped Pressure Sensitive Detector Tiles under tactile pavement stones. Its trials world-wide have been very successful. The illuminated Smartstud is an illuminated road stud, developed at Auckland University, which provides a very practical technical solution to the problem of providing a safe and economic sign, signal, or illuminated indicator at ground level, exactly where people focus for guidance in walking and driving. Its unique ability to power itself from one safe low-voltage cable makes it ideal for road applications. Australian engineers have pioneered the application of advanced computer programs, such as SCATS, for analysing signal-controlled intersections, roundabouts, and signs.
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