Brad Collis is the Operations Support Manager at Transurban, the world's largest toll road operator. Transurban is the owner of CityLink, a network of tollways in Melbourne connecting some of the city's major freeways (the Tullamarine, West Gate, and Monash Freeways incorporating Bolte Bridge, Burnely Tunnel, and other works). Brad explains what goes on inside the control room, which manages over 1,100 incidents per month and relies on sophisticated technology (such as automated incident detection cameras, recently powered by AI) to aid the flow of traffic and keep the roads safe, or what he calls are now "smart roads".

At any given time, 24 hours of the day, 365 days of the year, there are 3-4 traffic control room officers sitting around monitoring and being alerted to alarms and incidents. If something happens on a Transurban managed road, they have the resources to lower speed limits, close lanes, and dispatch personnel within a short timeframe. Transurban maintains relationships with the Department of Transport and Planning, the National Heavy Vehicle Regular (NHVR), and emergency services if something doesn't go to plan.

The CityLink traffic control room has been in operation now for 25 years and is opening its doors this weekend (27-28 July) for Open House 2024.