New smart travel signs will give drivers travelling on some of Melbourne’s busiest roads real-time updates as part of the Andrews Labor Government’s plan to keep things moving across the state.
The new large-sized electric signs are being rolled out across main roads in the city’s east and south-east, will display messages to road users in real-time.
The high-tech signs can show estimated journey times, lane closures and emergency incidents, as well as providing alternate routes and detours resulting from crashes and other incidents.
The travel time data displayed on these signs is collected via Bluetooth technology and in-road sensors, providing road users with more accurate and up-to-date travel times.
Expert staff working from the Transport Operations Centre can control messaging on the new high-tech signs to alert drivers to incidents and potential hazards ahead.
With Melbourne’s traffic volumes returning to pre-COVID levels, this information will help drivers to choose the smartest option for their journey to avoid disruptions or unexpected congestion, helping to keep traffic flowing across the arterial road network.
Minister for Road and Road Safety Melissa Horne said they are providing Victorians with smarter and smoother travel options as they continue their journey across Melbourne’s arterial road network.
“Integrating technology into our road network is helping to improve the flow of traffic and keeping people and goods moving,” she said.
Seven live travel time signs are already active along Springvale Road in Glen Waverley and Dingley Village, on the Princes Highway in Oakleigh South, Westall Road in Clayton South and at two locations in Keysborough.
Four additional signs will be switched on in Ferntree Gully, Knoxfield, Bayswater and Springvale over the coming months.
These locations were selected after a review determined the benefit for drivers to be able to access current and accurate information while travelling along these key travel routes.
A total of 42 live travel information signs – including the 11 larger signs – have been installed in Melbourne’s west, east and southeast as part of the $340 million Smarter Roads program which is delivering a range of initiatives ensuring Melbourne’s arterial road network is operating as efficiently as possible for all road users.
