The City of Moreton Bay is set to become the first local government in Australia to trial a new generation of artificial intelligence-powered traffic lights, with a pilot project designed to make intersections smarter, safer and more efficient. The initiative aims to reduce unnecessary delays by allowing traffic signals to respond dynamically to real-time road conditions instead of relying solely on fixed timing sequences.

The $170,000 pilot project will be installed at the intersection of Moreton Parade and Paper Avenue in Petrie, near the University of the Sunshine Coast (Moreton Bay campus). Installation is expected to begin in September 2026, with the technology monitored over a 12-month trial before a full evaluation is undertaken. If successful, the council may expand the system to more complex intersections throughout the region.

Unlike conventional traffic lights that operate on preset schedules, the AI-powered system will use advanced vehicle detection sensors and intelligent software to monitor traffic volumes continuously. The technology can identify different types of road users—including cars, buses, cyclists and pedestrians—and adjust signal timings based on actual demand. By predicting traffic flow and adapting in real time, the system aims to minimise unnecessary red-light waiting times while improving the overall movement of vehicles through intersections.

Council officials selected the Petrie intersection because it experiences relatively light traffic compared with major arterial roads, making it an ideal testing location. Testing the technology in a controlled environment will allow engineers to evaluate its performance without significantly disrupting motorists. Data collected throughout the trial will measure travel times, queue lengths, safety outcomes and operational reliability.

The initiative forms part of a broader effort across Queensland to modernise transport infrastructure using intelligent transport systems. The Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads is already upgrading traffic signal infrastructure statewide through its Next Generation Traffic Signalling Program, preparing intersections for future smart transport technologies and connected vehicles.

Supporters believe AI-controlled intersections could reduce congestion, improve fuel efficiency and lower vehicle emissions by decreasing idle time at traffic lights. Faster traffic flow may also shorten travel times for commuters while helping emergency services and public transport move more efficiently through busy road networks. Transport planners see intelligent signalling as an important step toward preparing Australian cities for population growth and increasingly connected transport systems.

The Moreton Bay trial also comes as Brisbane City Council prepares a much larger AI-based traffic management program to optimise traffic across multiple intersections. Together, these projects reflect growing interest in using artificial intelligence to improve urban mobility ahead of future population growth and major events, including preparations linked to the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.

If the Petrie pilot delivers the expected benefits, the technology could eventually be introduced across Moreton Bay and influence traffic management strategies adopted by other Australian councils. Officials believe smarter intersections could become a key part of future transport networks, improving road safety while making daily travel faster and more efficient for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians alike.