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.''
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.''
