Dublin's M50 is set to become a 'dynamic motorway' with variable speed limits determined by computer algorithms.
The system will also have the ability to close lanes and reduce traffic speeds as needed.
An Enhanced Motorway Operation Service (Emos) will see variable messaging signs on 98 gantries over large parts of the motorway.
There will also be cameras on each gantry to monitor traffic flow.
The signs will inform people in real-time what speed they should be going, and also if they need to change lanes.
There will be lane signage, which will see a sign per lane, displaying the speed limits at any given time.
These will change depending on road conditions owing to weather, accidents or other factors.
A major publicity campaign is set for June or July to inform drivers of the changes.
Dublin MEP Ciarán Cuffe told The Hard Shoulder this is the way forward.
"I think it makes perfect sense to bring in the variable speed limits.
"I see it here in Belgium, you see it in the Netherlands - it's been proven to work."
Mr Cuffe said the move will increase the capacity of the road, and increase safety.
"And not just for the people driving on it: but it'll increase safety for emergency workers - the Guards, ambulance drivers and crew, fire brigade crew.
"So it makes a huge amount of sense".
Mr Cuffe also suggested that the M50 itself was never meant to operate as it has been doing.
"It's worth remembering that there was a lot of poor planning in what has led to the M50 being what it is.
"It was meant to be a bypass for Dublin, but instead it in effect became a main street - with shopping centres built right beside it.
"And some of the decisions that led to that ended up in tribunals - but it does mean that we have a combination of through traffic and local traffic, so it's over-congested."
He also said there needs to be a "modal shift" towards more people using public transport.
"So I don't think we can talk about the M50 without talking about BusConnects and the improvements in public transport that we also need".
