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.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Hackathon success at ITS World Congress
    October 10, 2016
    As the 2016 ITS World Congress was opening its doors, hacking trio Hong Yew, Ram Kanagaratnam and Kyle Mantesso of team Geolicious were collecting the AU$10,000 first prize in the ITS 2016 Mastercard Smart Cities Hackathon. the first ITS Smart City Hack was designed to encourage collaboration and innovative thinking and was the largest event of its kind in Australia. Total prize money of AU$20,000 enticed 16 teams of Australia’s most talented developers, designers and entrepreneurs to enter the two-day e
  • ITS America applauds latest TIGER grants
    October 30, 2015
    US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx has announced US$500 million in TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) 2015 grants for 39 transportation projects in 34 states, some projects spanning several states. In selecting projects, Foxx prioritised the extent to which the proposed project strengthens access to opportunities through transportation improvements.
  • '190,000 trips' on day 1 of Sydney Metro extension
    August 20, 2024
    15.5km extension means 2,645 new metro services will travel through city each week
  • Toll industry in spotlight at ITS Australia conference
    April 2, 2025
    Roads, Tolling & Tech 2025 runs in Melbourne on 10-11 April 2025