Papakura-Clevedon Road Flood Alert System
Trial beginning November 2026
- In Progress
- Development
- Sustainability
Following the extreme weather events of early 2023, Auckland Transport commenced a trial of an electronic flood alert system.
The trial will be focused on the Papakura-Clevedon Road.
Nine flood-prone locations with various technologies have been installed to date in an attempt to improve road safety by providing warnings of flooding.
A final site for this trial has been selected to install Auckland Transport’s computer vision technology at Papakura-Clevedon Road, with installation expected to commence in November 2026.
The Papakura-Clevedon Road location was selected due to it being a high-speed, high-volume flood prone road within the Franklin region.
As the trial is in its final review, only the Papakura-Clevedon Road will have the advisory system installed at this stage to assess the technology's capability.
Multiple signs are required so they can be positioned in advance of the flood zone from all directions and provide motorists with opportunity to take an alternative route before reaching the affected area, over having to turnaround just prior to the flooded area.
The technology that will be installed consists of CCTV cameras with an AI-powered flood detection system to monitor water levels in real time.
When water reaches predetermined markers, the electronic road signs will be automatically activated.
The aim is to give road users advance warning of flooding and potential road closures, helping people make safer travel decisions and avoid affected areas.
If the pilot proves successful and demonstrates use of reliable technology that can add value, the project team will seek organisational direction and decisions from Auckland Council (project previously ran under Auckland Transport) for funding to expand the system to additional flood-prone locations across the region.