Skip to main content

Intelligent Transport System for Australia's Monash Freeway

Sluggish peak-hour traffic on Melbourne's busiest road, the Monash Freeway, will flow about 20 km/h faster when new technology is introduced, thanks to a US$78.2 million cash injection from the Australian Government to help improve traffic flow, with the money to go towards installing and upgrading intelligent transport systems on a 34.5-kilometre stretch of the road in Melbourne's east. The commitment is intended to be matched by the Victorian government and will go towards technology such as variable spee
May 14, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
Sluggish peak-hour traffic on Melbourne's busiest road, the Monash Freeway, will flow about 20 km/h faster when new technology is introduced, thanks to a US$78.2 million cash injection from the Australian Government to help improve traffic flow, with the money to go towards installing and upgrading intelligent transport systems on a 34.5-kilometre stretch of the road in Melbourne's east.

The commitment is intended to be matched by the Victorian government and will go towards technology such as variable speed limits, electronic signs directing vehicles between lanes, new entry ramp signals and hard shoulder running during peak hour.

The changes will help peak-hour traffic flow at up to 75 km/h, an improvement of between 14 km/h and 21 km/h on current speeds, the federal government estimates.

''Retrofitting the motorway with this cutting-edge technology would give authorities the tools to better manage traffic flows, respond quickly to accidents and deliver real-time information to motorists so they can plan their journeys and avoid frustrating delays,'' federal transport minister Anthony Albanese said.

''It's all about getting the most out of the infrastructure we've already built, which is a far smarter and cheaper option than simply building more and bigger roads.''

Related Content

  • August 23, 2013
    Sensys sensors for Melbourne freeway
    Work is now underway on installing the latest electronic freeway management technology along the West Gate Freeway in Melbourne, with the entire project to be completed by the middle of next year. Sensys wireless vehicle detection sensors are being installed as part of the US$23.7 million project, which is jointly funded by the federal and Victorian governments. The project includes variable message signs and closed circuit television as well as upgrades to the supporting communication networks and cent
  • April 8, 2014
    UK defaults to hard shoulder running to expand motorway capacity
    Hard shoulder running has become the UK’s default response to increasing motorway capacity as Colin Sowman reports. Facing a predicted 46% increase in traffic levels by 2040 and the current economic recovery leading to more people travelling to, from and for work leaves the UK government under short- and long-term pressure to increase the capacity on the main motorway network. Particular sections of motorways are already experiencing repeated, sometimes tidal, congestion and both tight Treasury limits and t
  • February 11, 2013
    Visionstream secures Australian motorways project
    Visionstream Australia (Visionstream) is to deliver the Intelligent Transport System (ITS) and communications infrastructure for the Westgate Freeway Managed Motorway Project under the National Smart Managed Motorways Program. The US$21.5 million contract includes design and construction of the ITS system and an operations and maintenance component for two years. Under the contract, Visionstream will be undertaking the design, supply, installation and integration of ITS devices including lane use signs, va
  • May 1, 2015
    Tullamarine freeway upgrade ‘to cut airport run by up to 20 minutes’
    A US$1 billion project, which will add 24 kilometres of extra lanes to one of Victoria’s busiest and most important roads and reduce congestion and travel time to Melbourne airport, is set to be unveiled. Minister for Roads and Road Safety, Luke Donnellan, has announced that the Victorian Government and Transurban had signed a new, robust agreement to deliver the CityLink Tullamarine Widening Project. The Australian and Victorian Governments and Transurban will jointly fund the project, which also inc