The Andrews Labor Government is delivering the next stage of Melbourne’s most extensive review of traffic lights since their introduction almost 100 years ago, keeping the city moving and ensuring better journeys for all motorists.
With more than 400 intersections already analysed and optimised in the city’s west, east and south-east, the Smarter Roads Program will now include the nearly 3,000 remaining intersections across metropolitan Melbourne, with the installation of more traffic monitoring cameras and sensors getting underway.
Already motorists are seeing the benefits of the program – in Dandenong, the community is enjoying travel time savings along Cheltenham Road, with a reduction in average delays of 6 per cent for drivers travelling towards the city in the morning peak. During afternoon peak, there is a reduction in delays of 7 per cent for drivers travelling outbound despite a 10 per cent increase in traffic.
Along Palmers Road in Point Cook during weekday afternoon peak times, motorists have saved 8 per cent on their journey travelling north and 14 per cent travelling south between Delaney Boulevard, Williams Landing and Dunnings Road, Point Cook.
Signal engineers have also turned their attention to suburbs that have been transformed by the removal of busy and dangerous level crossings. In Mentone, traffic is not only reaping the benefits of no level crossing, but following a review of intersections along Balcombe Road, enhanced green light synchronisation has improved flow and reduced queuing.
As the traffic light review continues, passengers on buses and trams will also benefit from enhancements that prioritise public transport. This will provide real-time GPS tracking data, which will cross check timetables, automatically triggering traffic lights to prioritise for public transport.
Work is underway to install the essential tools required to deliver these improvements including more than 600 new traffic monitoring cameras, 43 wireless travel time sensors and an extra 49 dynamic pedestrian crossings. These automatically extend crossing times when there is high pedestrian demand and shorten red lights when only small groups need to cross.
By 2026, the Smarter Roads program will have reviewed every set of traffic lights on arterial roads across Metropolitan Melbourne. As the program continues, bus and tram passengers, cyclists, pedestrians, car, and truck drivers will see the benefits of better traffic flows, reduced queuing, and improved road safety at intersections.
For more information, visit smarterroads.vic.gov.au/vicroads/smarter-roads/locations.
As stated by Minister for Roads and Road Safety Ben Carroll
“This initiative will mean less time waiting at intersections, smoother traffic flows and improved safety for every road user.”
“The program is already delivering results with motorists across the city’s west, east and south-east already reaping the benefits of reduced delays – getting to where they need to go more quickly and safely.”
