Smiley or frown: Emoji traffic signs trialled in Auckland to slow speeding drivers
A new emoji-inspired traffic sign has been spotted in Auckland, which mimics the colourful emblems used when texting.
One of these temporary electronic signs seen by the Herald near the motorway on-ramp on Curran St displayed an array of emotions as motorists drove past.
An orange emoji with a pronounced frown and angled eyebrows switched to a smiling face when drivers stuck to the speed limit.
Auckland Transport (AT) told the Herald a contractor for Watercare was behind the Variable Message Sign (VMS) on Curran St as part of a trial.
“These emojis can change depending on the speed of passing vehicles through an area where works are being undertaken,” AT said.
Watercare Herne Bay Collector delivery manager Bojan Jovanovic said a temporary 30km/h speed limit was in place on Curran St and on surrounding Herne Bay streets while construction work was underway for the Herne Bay Collector.
The project is a $260 million, 1.7km wastewater tunnel set to improve water quality in the Waitematā Harbour.
Jovanovic said six active construction sites on Sarsfield St and Argyle St were currently installing the first sections of the Herne Bay Collector.
New emoji-style speed traffic management signs have been spotted in Auckland. Photo / Michael Craig
“Emoji speed radar signs have been installed on Curran St to help motorists comply with the temporary 30km/h speed limit in place during construction,” he said.
Jovanovic said these signs were only being trialled on Curran St to encourage road users to slow down.
He said emoji symbols were used not only for temporarily controlling speeds in and around work sites, but also on permanent signs, such as those located outside schools.
Emoji speed radar signs have been installed on Curran St to help motorists comply with the temporary 30km/h speed limit. Photo / Michael Craig
The inbuilt radar in the signs logs the speed of each vehicle at 1.4-second intervals.
Jovanovic said the signs collect anonymised speed and traffic data, which are used to monitor driver behaviour and assess the effectiveness of traffic management measures.
No number plate or personal information is recorded by these signs.
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