Skip to main content

ITS ‘could save Australia US$500 million a year’

According to Australia’s federal infrastructure and transport minister, Anthony Albanese, an Australia-wide electronic freeway management system has the potential to greatly reduce congestion and save Australian families and businesses more than US$500 million a year. Albanese said as much as he announced the US$21 million contract to deliver an Intelligent Transport System (ITS) and communications infrastructure to the Westgate freeway managed motorway project in Victoria under the national smart managed m
February 22, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
According to Australia’s federal infrastructure and transport minister, Anthony Albanese, an Australia-wide electronic freeway management system has the potential to greatly reduce congestion and save Australian families and businesses more than US$500 million a year.

Albanese said as much as he announced the US$21 million contract to deliver an Intelligent Transport System (ITS) and communications infrastructure to the Westgate freeway managed motorway project in Victoria under the national smart managed motorways program.

Albanese said that, once operational, the technology will give 4728 VicRoads the tools it needs to better manage traffic flows and respond quickly to accidents and breakdowns.
“As well as being good for taxpayers, this technology will deliver faster, safer and less frustrating driving conditions for the 160,000 motorists and truck drivers who use this vital part of Melbourne’s road network every day,” said Albanese.

Victoria’s roads minister Terry Mulder said the installation of the freeway management system is expected to be completed by mid-2014 and maintains Victoria’s reputation as a leader in the use of this technology.

“The project will upgrade the existing smart technology on the freeway and include installation of lane use signs that advise drivers of which lanes to use, and new side-mounted variable speed limit signs allowing for speeds to adjust to suit conditions,” Mulder said. “There will also be closed circuit television cameras and an upgrade of supporting communications networks and central control systems. Once complete, the system will be fully integrated with the M1 east of Williamstown Road and eventually with the M80 ring road, helping to deliver safer and more reliable travel times along these routes.”

Under the contract, 7146 Visionstream, part of 4977 Leighton Contractors, will be undertaking the design, supply, installation and integration of ITS devices including lane use signs, variable message signs, traffic data collection stations and CCTV cameras and supporting ICT infrastructure. (See ITS International e-newsletter of 14 February).

The West Gate Freeway project is being funded by the Federal and Victorian governments to the tune of US$12.5 million each. Work on the project is expected to get underway in the middle of this year.

Related Content

  • December 3, 2012
    Freeway management for Sydney’s M4
    In a bid to improve Sydney’s roads and congestion, Australia’s Federal and New South Wales governments are to jointly fund a project to equip the full length of the state’s M4 motorway with technology to improve traffic flows and ease congestion along this vital part of Sydney’s road network.The US$17 million project will provide the M4 with an electronic freeway management system consisting of variable speed and message signs, entry ramp signalling, CCTV and digital traveller information signs. Transport m
  • December 2, 2022
    ITS Australia Global Summit 2023: super-sized
    Four-day Global Summit will be held on 28-31 August, 2023 in Melbourne: accelerating smarter, safer, sustainable transport is focus of next year's expanded event for whole ITS community
  • September 28, 2016
    Arup and Amey to design Australian smart motorway project
    Arup, working with Amey, is to deliver the M4 Smart Motorway project, said to be the first of its kind in New South Wales, Australia. The commission includes all technology and civil works, spanning from detailed design through to construction support services.
  • February 12, 2015
    Framework for trialling road freight ITS begins in Australia
    The Victoria Government in Australia is sponsoring a new framework to trial technology on the state’s road network that will improve the operation of heavy vehicles and promote Victoria as Australia’s freight and logistics capital. Minister for Roads, Luke Donnellan, called on the heavy vehicle, freight and Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) industries to develop innovative approaches to using intelligent transportation systems (ITS) and associated technology to improve the productivity and safety of ro