Melbourne’s roads to use new anti-congestion technology

Following a successful trial, the Victorian State Government will look to implement an intelligent speed limit management system as part of its $300 million dollar upgrade for the Western Ring Road between Station Road and the Calder Freeway.

Designed to reduce congestion, the technology – known as the Adaptive Variable Speed Limit System – anticipates congestion before it happens and alters the posted speed accordingly, to ensure a smoother flow of traffic.

In a statement released by Victoria’s Minister for Roads Luke Donnellan, authorities are hoping the system will reduce overall congestion for the 160,000 daily users of the road, but specifically relieve the “pinch-point where traffic has to move from four lanes, down to two,” the statement read.

“Drivers can expect to see speed limits change before traffic become heavy, particularly during morning and afternoon peak times.”

Minister Donnellan said: “We are applying the world’s best traffic management practices to roads right here in Melbourne.

“By being smarter about the way we manage traffic, we can get Victorians home sooner so they can spend more time with their family and friends.”

The statement also revealed the results would be closely monitored and evaluated, with a longer-term view of rolling the system out more broadly across the state, if deemed successful.

The technology was trialed on Melbourne’s Monash Freeway in collaboration with the Technical University of Crete.

WhichCar has contacted the Minister’s office for confirmation of the official launch date and we’ll update you as we find out more. Stay tuned.

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