📋 Tender Overview
Plans to boost GPS signals in Sydneys road tunnels are taking shape which could help motorists freight and emergency services navigate tunnels more accurately quickly and safely.Transport for NSW Deputy Secretary for Greater Sydney Elizabeth Mildwater said repeaters are banned in tunnels but the Australian Communications and Media Authority ACMA is considering changing the law to let the technology be used.As many motorists know GPS signals dont work in road tunnels because they lose the line of sight to satellites. Some vehicles use other technology but GPS is the most accurate and is used by emergency services Ms Mildwater said.The freight industry one of the primary users of tunnels also uses GPS to actively provide information on tracking and on-board communication. With the delivery of major tunnel projects across Sydney like WestConnex NorthConnex M6 Stage 1 Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link its important we act as soon as possible.Transport for NSW has made a submission to the Federal regulator to install and trial re-transmission points inside tunnels to simulate satellite signals.Standard modern vehicles are equipped with more than 50 sensors generating data referenced in time and space to a specific location Ms Mildwater said.Our innovative trial will investigate the effect of in-tunnel devices on receivers aboard emergency services vehicles and other devices such as smartphones and GPS units.This is an opportunity to further modernise our infrastructure with potential benefits for IT traffic management and control systems. A collaborative nation-wide approach will transform the future mobility of people and goods and deliver vital safety outcomes.Fire and Rescue NSW FRNSW Deputy Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell said the boost in GPS signals could mean quicker response times should an emergency occur.With multiple entry and exit points to our tunnels it can be difficult to find the exact location of an incident. GPS data would mean our crews could instantly pinpoint these locations and reduce our response times Mr Fewtrell said.Anything that delays our response capability is likely to increase the risk to life and property so this is a huge step in the right direction for us to better protect the NSW community.GPS Global Positioning System signals are a type of radionavigation-satellite service RNSS. Re-transmission of RNSS signals are banned in Australia under the Radiocommunications Act 1992 due to the risk of interfering with other GPS signals.ACMA is considering submissions to review the legislation. Transport for NSW NSW Telco Authority Fire Rescue NSW NSW Ambulance and NSW Police support this initiative.
