Melbourne speed limit increased

Victoria’s Labor Government has increased speed limits on Melbourne’s Monash Freeway as part of its recently launched Dynamic Speed Trial.

While Labor recently culled open road limits in the Northern Territory, the new trial on the Monash, which began in early July, sees the speed limit increased or decreased based on live traffic conditions between High St, Ashburton, and Glenferrie Rd, Toorak.

Crucially, limits can rise from 80km/h to 100km/h when it’s safe to do so, with existing CCTV and road sensors used to judge traffic and weather conditions. Electronic speed signs display the speed limits.

The trial is being introduced in three phases over six months and is currently in its second phase, where speeds are adjusted at night and off-peak periods. From Christmas the system will run round the clock.

It also runs alongside the recently launched Monash Speed Trial, which limits the speed of trucks to 90km/h between Oakleigh and Rowville and will see them eventually banned from the right lane.

Luke Donnellan, the Andrews Labor Government’s Minister for Roads, said it’s been done to improve the safety and efficiency of Melbourne’s roads without impact to the freight industry. Citing it will add only a minute to the travel time for trucks.

The Australian-first system might be applied to other Melbourne freeways if deemed successful.

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