A prototype artificial intelligence-powered road sign has detected a koala crossing in real time on the Redlands Coast, demonstrating a field-tested milestone in efforts to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions.
A Real-Time Detection on the Redlands Coast
A koala moving across a road on the Redlands Coast has marked a significant step in the use of artificial intelligence for road safety and conservation. The animal was identified in real time by a prototype system that combines an AI-powered camera with an intelligent road sign, confirming the technology can function under live conditions.
The detection represents the first time this approach has been proven in the field, shifting earlier research from recorded observation to real-time identification of koalas near roadways.
Developed by researchers from Griffith University, the system builds on an existing database designed to recognise koalas at transport crossings. The latest trial demonstrates how that capability can be applied at the roadside as animals approach or cross.
Moving Beyond Static Warnings
Roadside signs warning of wildlife crossings have long been part of the landscape, but their constant presence can reduce driver attention over time. Without a visible animal, repeated exposure can lessen the likelihood of drivers responding to potential risks.
This challenge is more pronounced during low-light periods, when koalas are most active and visibility is reduced. The Redlands Coast trial shows how real-time detection could support more targeted alerts, with future systems expected to activate warnings only when a koala is present.

Pressures on Koala Movement
Koalas face ongoing threats from habitat loss, disease and vehicle strikes. As natural environments become more fragmented, animals are often required to cross roads to move between areas.
Vehicle collisions remain a major contributor to koala mortality in southeastern Queensland. Monitoring populations is also difficult due to their nocturnal behaviour and wide distribution, making it challenging to track numbers with certainty.
Research in the Redlands area has found no evidence of continued population decline since 2018, underscoring the role of sustained conservation efforts alongside new technologies.

From Trial to Application
The system has been under trial on the Redlands Coast since March 2025, using decentralised computing and real-time video analysis to process data close to where it is captured. This allows the system to detect koalas in real time as they approach roadways.
The successful field detection establishes a foundation for integrating the technology with responsive road signage. Future applications are expected to prompt drivers to slow down when a koala is detected, improving responsiveness at critical moments.
While still in development, the approach highlights how adaptive systems can support both road safety and wildlife protection across high-risk corridors.

A Step Towards Targeted Road Safety
The Redlands Coast trial demonstrates how combining artificial intelligence with roadside infrastructure can support more precise and timely interventions. Instead of relying solely on static warnings, real-time detection offers a way to align driver awareness with actual conditions on the road.
As the system continues to be refined, the focus remains on improving reliability and exploring how it can be applied more broadly to reduce road-related koala fatalities.
Published 17-Apr-2026
Photo Credit: Griffith University/LinkedIn

















