Skip to main content

Intelematics charts intersection congestion drop

Intelematics' qualitative data has highlighted that there were fewer snarl-ups at Melbourne's improved Hoddle Street continuous-flow intersection.
By David Arminas May 13, 2020 Read time: 2 mins
Intelematics data showed 14% traffic drop following Melbourne intersection upgrade (© Melpomenem | Dreamstime.com)

Congestion fell by 14% thanks to a major upgrade of the intersection - the first of its type in the Australian state of Victoria. 

Intelematics has been processing traffic data for over a decade from thousands of sensors in roads and infrastructure, probe vehicles and by other forms.

It now says that it can deliver accurate data, available in 15-minute intervals which can be analysed by month, year, suburb and street name, through its online data store.  
 
"Our traffic data  has been widely used by drivers, vehicle manufacturers, auto clubs, emergency services and government departments for over a decade," said John Cardoso, senior product manager at Intelematics.

"We are now broadening its use, to those who plan, deliver and manage infrastructure projects, like engineers and policymakers, who can also benefit from accurate historical data,”
 
Rather than performing a physical traffic survey such as a video recording or placing pressure tubes on the roads, engineers and policymakers can now more efficiently collect vital traffic information, almost instantly.

"Intelematics can also look at the effect that the project had on feeder roads – something that would have been nearly impossible unless every feeder road was  also monitored with pressure tubes," he said.

Another Intelematics analysis showed drivers in Melbourne were found to have cut back on trips by up to 88%, according to qualitative data.

The analysis looked at the effect that Covid-19 might be having on congestion in Melbourne during the month of March. Data for March 28 showed only 12% of traffic compared to the average March peak.

The qualitative research also found that Melbournians were spending up to 70% less time travelling per trip. This clearly indicates people were abiding by the government's recommendation to travel only if necessary, explained Carduso.

"What was interesting about the Covid-19 traffic study was that this was the first time we had used qualitative traffic data by looking at trip origins and destinations,” said Cardoso.

“This new way of analysing traffic data allows us to conduct a much more granular analysis than ever before.”

Intelematics was set up in 1999 and apart from Australia, operates in North America and Europe.

The company’s expertise is in connected transportation services such as real-time insights and predictive services, connected motoring applications on vehicle dashboards and specialist safety and security services.

Related Content

  • April 5, 2024
    A coalition of the willing: iATL
    A living lab on the streets of Georgia, US, is helping to improve traffic safety by real-world deployments of technology. ITS International talks to the founder and some of the partners at the Infrastructure Automotive Technology Laboratory
  • November 27, 2013
    Advanced Driver Assistance Systems: a solution or another problem?
    Do Advanced Driver Assistance Systems represent a positive step forward for safety, or something of a safety risk? Jason Barnes discusses the issue with leading industry figures. Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are already common. Anti-lock brakes or electronic stability control are well understood and are either fitted as standard or frequently requested by new vehicle buyers. More advanced ADAS features are appearing on many top-end vehicles and the trickle-down has already started. Adaptive
  • August 2, 2013
    Suppliers reshape to provide tolling and traffic management expertise
    Jason Barnes examines the trend towards single source supply of complete tolling and traffic management solutions with some senior tolling industry figures. Only a few years back, the major tolling system suppliers were aggressively positioning themselves as one-stop shops for tolling solutions and operations. No sooner has that little flurry of innovation settled than another trend has emerged – tolling companies wanting to become major ITS suppliers as well. Various tolling company seniors have in recent
  • October 22, 2018
    Kapsch TrafficCom: 'The city is not made for cars'
    Traffic can be a really big challenge. When you’re stuck, you’re stuck. Everything comes to a standstill. But Alexander Lewald describes how existing infrastructures can be used more efficiently and how demand can be managed. A few figures to start with: in Los Angeles, the average driver spends 102 hours a year in traffic – that’s more than four days. This figure is 91 hours in Moscow and New York, 74 in London, 69 in Paris, 51 hours in Munich and still 40 hours in Vienna. Traffic is what causes