‘Smarter, faster’ Wayne Brown tells T-Tech24

Auckland mayor Wayne Brown had a jab at road transport projects that take too long and cost too much during his speech opening the two-day T-Tech24 annual summit and exhibition in Auckland on June 25.

He reckons small scale possibly trial projects are the answer, done with urgency.

Brown sees a need to focus on small issues bugging Aucklanders such as potholes, traffic lights and public transport like buses.

“Smarter and faster” is his message to T-Tech24, adding that traffic lights need to be smarter so that people don’t have to wait for “ghost” pedestrians and cars which might hold them up at cross-roads,.

He wonders whether smarter systems can be quickly introduced, like the “Bus Booster” applied by Auckland Transport which allows traffic lights to go green for any buses delayed on their journey.

Brown urges the government to go faster and smarter too, saying $20 million for camera gantries is excessive, and he encourages T-Tech24 members to discuss ideas for improving traffic congestion and other transportation issues.

With trademark humour, Brown says he can predict when and where Auckland traffic congestion occurs. “7.30am to 9.30am on the motorway between Papakura and Greenlane, and Te Atatu to Lincoln Road.”

Brown says people often leave home for work early to avoid the congestion which seems to vanish during school holidays.

He ponders whether work habits are changing too – with many working from home.

Brown notes there appears little urgency is some cases to get things done. “Go faster and harder,” he suggests.

T-Tech24 should consider using technology to overcome many city traffic and transport issues, says Brown.

Auckland Transport has a public transport growth programme it’s working on.

In a parting shot, Brown says Intelligent Transportation Systems New Zealand (ITSNZ) could shorten its name to something catchy.

T-Tech24 master of ceremonies Joe Davis says he took from Brown’s address the need for small trials and to speed up processes.

Davis says he Googled Brown during the address and found an RNZ story about Brown telling Auckland Transport to “shut up and listen”.