Newcastle Trials Nation’s First Smart School Zone Signs to Boost Road Safety

18 July 2025

newy.com.au – A national first trial of smart school zone signs has been launched at Wallsend South Public School, marking a significant step in road safety technology pioneered in the Hunter region. The NSW Government has installed two AI-enabled signs along Croudace Road and McCaffrey Drive, aiming to reduce vehicle speeds and improve pedestrian safety in one of the area’s busiest school zones.

The trial features solar-powered, internet-connected signage developed by Newcastle-based company HIVIS, supported by an $83,500 grant from the NSW Government’s Small Business Innovation and Research Program. The signs use radar, pedestrian sensors and artificial intelligence to detect vehicles exceeding the 40 km/h limit and display “SLOW DOWN” alerts. They also respond to pedestrian volumes and can display customised safety messages outside school zone hours.

Artificial intelligence will be used to analyse traffic and pedestrian activity in real time, with tailored alerts shown to motorists. Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison said, “These signs will actually detect people’s speeds as they go through the school zones and they will record that data. It’s real time, and it targets messaging drivers, if they are speeding, or if there are high numbers of pedestrians in the area.”

All data collected from the signs, including vehicle speeds, traffic volumes and pedestrian numbers will be securely transmitted to a central system. Authorities will use the information to assess how effectively the signs influence driver behaviour. The trial is scheduled to run throughout Term 3, with the potential for expansion if successful.

Minister Aitchison said the technology builds on decades of progress in school zone safety. “It’s around 25 years since the then Labor Government launched the original flashing alert signs at high-risk school zones,” she said. “This trial, funded by the Minns Labor Government, takes it one step further.” She also highlighted the need for continued innovation, citing a past incident in Chester Hill where a vehicle was recorded travelling at 110 km/h in a school zone.

Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said the local community was leading the way. “I’m incredibly proud that the Hunter is pioneering this new era of school zone alert sign to help keep our children safer,” she said. “We’re setting the benchmark for how tech can be used to keep our kids safe on local roads.”

Wallsend South Public School was chosen for the trial due to high pedestrian and vehicle traffic volumes, its close proximity to the sign’s manufacturer, and the site’s reliable solar access and 4G connectivity.

Local MP Sonia Hornery said, “It’s fantastic to see this cutting-edge technology developed right here in the Hunter being used to protect our most vulnerable road users, our children.”

Transport for NSW Executive Director of Operational Technology, JP Ahern, noted that the signs are not used for compliance and do not capture or store images. “It’s all about awareness, education and safety,” he said. “Eventually we’ll be able to gather this data across multiple school zones, and it will help us understand what type of alerts work the best to get motorists to slow down and also which zones may benefit from additional safety treatments.”