Brisbane’s Smarter Suburban Corridors project will see artificial intelligence take control of traffic signals across key intersections in a $15 million trial set to begin in 2026. While the trial will span the wider city, the Central Business District is expected to be one of the areas where improvements in traffic flow will be closely monitored.
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The initiative, aimed at reducing congestion and modernising Brisbane’s outdated traffic systems, will gradually replace decades-old signal infrastructure with AI-powered technology capable of learning and adapting in real time. By using predictive algorithms and live traffic data, the system will adjust signal timings to ease bottlenecks, reduce delays, and improve safety on some of the city’s most heavily used roads.
Though not the sole focus, the CBD stands to benefit from the rollout. As one of Brisbane’s most congested areas—with limited space, high pedestrian volumes, and heavy reliance on public transport—the inner city is likely to be among the early sites where changes are felt. Smarter signal coordination could particularly help buses and commuter traffic that pass through key CBD corridors daily.
The city’s two current traffic management systems date back to the 1980s and 1990s, using fixed-timing programs and basic road sensors that have struggled to keep up with rising demand. With Brisbane’s population expected to grow from 1.3 million to 1.7 million by 2046, and with road freight traffic increasing even faster, planners are looking to AI as a scalable and more responsive solution.
International examples from cities like Manchester and Seattle show that AI-managed traffic signals can deliver time savings of over 20 percent. Brisbane hopes to achieve similar results, with a 12-month trial beginning in mid-2026, following a competitive tender process starting in June this year.
The system will be introduced in phases and delivered in partnership with the state government. If successful, the initial two-year contract could extend up to ten years, forming a backbone for Brisbane’s broader smart city ambitions in the lead-up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
While transport experts and stakeholders have broadly welcomed the trial, they also note that AI is only one part of the solution. Without improvements in public transport capacity and a shift toward more sustainable travel modes, congestion will remain a challenge—particularly in high-demand areas like the CBD.
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Nonetheless, the Smarter Suburban Corridors project represents a significant step forward in how Brisbane manages its growing transport network, with AI at the centre of efforts to create a faster, safer, and more efficient city.
Published 5-June-2025