The Andrews Labor Government is undertaking an Australian-first technology trial that will see speeds on the Monash Freeway move up and down based on live traffic conditions.
Minister for Roads Luke Donnellan today unveiled a new state-of-the-art approach to speed management that will see speed limits change in response to road conditions, such as an increase or decrease in traffic volumes, weather conditions and the time of day.
The Dynamic Speed Trial – which starts in early July, running between High Street in Ashburton and Glenferrie Road in Toorak – means motorists, when it is safe to do so, will be able to increase their speed from 80 km/hour to 100km/hour on this section of the Monash.
The innovative approach will use the existing technology including CCTV and road sensors as well as overhead electronic signs to change speed limits when conditions allow, not just if there are road works or a collision.
The six month pilot will trial three different phases: phase one will vary speeds at night, phase two will include night and off-peak periods such as weekends, and phase three will run 24-hours a day, including peak periods.
If successful, we will look at rolling out this technology on other managed motorways across Melbourne.
The pilot will complement the Monash Speed Trial – a trial that will see trucks travel at 90km/hour along a 10 kilometre section of the Monash Freeway between Huntingdale Road and Jacksons Road.
The Monash Speed Trial will run for 18 months, with a second trial phase banning trucks from the right hand lane alongside the 90km/hour speed limit in order – to evaluate the effectiveness of the two measures together.
Reducing the speed that trucks are travelling will create greater distances between cars and trucks and allow cars to navigate safely around trucks reducing the likelihood of rear end and side swipe crashes.
The trial’s focus will determine the effectiveness of reducing the speed limit for trucks to improve road safety and reduce the number of crashes involving cars and trucks.
Results from both trials will be independently examined and will be used to help inform future decisions around speed, allowing us to make the most of the state’s road network.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Roads Luke Donnellan
“We’re applying the world’s best traffic management practices to roads right here in Melbourne.”
“Providing safer speeds that are right for the road will mean people can get to where they need to be as safely and efficiently as possible – without impacting on the productivity of our freight industry.”
“Around 80 per cent of all crashes on the Monash are either rear end crashes or side swipe crashes – so we’re looking at innovative ways to make Victorian roads safer.”
“Reducing the speed of trucks on the Monash will only increase their travel time by one minute, but make it safer and boost the reliability of the freeway.”
Quotes attributable to Victorian Transport Association CEO Peter Anderson
"The Victorian Transport Association has a long history of working with governments and statutory authorities on initiatives that produce safety benefits for motorists and productivity gains for freight operators.”
"We support the Monash Speed Trial because we believe speed reductions here have the potential to create productivity and safety improvements for operators, which is good for business."
Reviewed 19 August 2020