New electronic signage will soon deliver real-time travel times and works alerts to drivers along the Western Highway, making it easier for people to plan their trips and avoid major delays. Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan inspected the new signage today in Warrenheip – the first of its kind permanently installed in regional Victoria.
“This new signage will make it easier for people to plan their journey and avoid getting stuck in traffic.” Minister Donnellan commented “Drivers using the Western Highway will be the first in regional Victoria to benefit from the technology – providing up to date travel times and alerts to get more people where they need to go sooner.”
The Minister explained that the signage will use Bluetooth technology to track point-to-point travel times, giving drivers the opportunity to change their route or plan their trips in advance to reduce time spent waiting in traffic. Signs will be installed in five busy areas between Ballarat and Melbourne, including locations close to Ballarat, Ballan, Bacchus Marsh, Melton and Rockbank. The Minister also added that delays associated with road upgrades, safety improvements, weather and emergency incidents will all be displayed almost instantly, with estimated travel times updated every few minutes. Travel times for vehicles which have stopped or travelled off the highway between sensor points will not be factored into the displayed times. Travel times for vehicles which have stopped or travelled off the highway between sensor points will not be factored into the displayed times.
“While we get on and upgrade the roads Victorians rely on, we’re working to minimise delays and keep drivers informed – and that’s exactly what these signs will help do.” Member for Buninyong Geoff Howard commented.
The Minister said that the signage forms part of a package of safety upgrades along the Western Highway as part of the Andrews Labor Government’s Safe System Road Infrastructure Program. He went on to add that the new signage will replace temporary electronic signs along the Western Highway between Ballarat and Melbourne, where vital safety upgrades and road improvements are underway. These works include the installation of flexible safety barriers and bridge strengthening works at Pykes Creek. The same signs have significantly boosted traffic flow in various locations across metropolitan Melbourne.