Work slated to begin in middle of this year on installation of electronic freeway management technology along West Gate Freeway
February 7, 2013
Work is slated to begin in the middle of this year on the installation of electronic freeway management technology along the West Gate Freeway in Victoria.
The technology is designed to give the state’s road agency, VicRoads, better tools to manage traffic flows and respond quickly to accidents and breakdowns.
Victorian Roads Minister Terry Mulder says the installation of the freeway management system is expected to be completed by mid-2014.
“The project will upgrade the existing smart technology on the freeway and include installation of lane use signs that advise drivers of which lanes to use, and new side-mounted variable speed limit signs allowing for speeds to [be] adjusted to suit conditions,” Mulder says.
“There will also be closed circuit television cameras and an upgrade of supporting communications networks and central control systems.
“Once complete, the system will be fully integrated with the M1 east of Williamstown Road and eventually with the M80 Ring Road, helping to deliver safer and more reliable travel times along these routes.”
The federal and Victorian governments have each committed $12.5 million to the project.
Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese says electronic freeway management systems have the potential to greatly reduce congestion and save Australian families and businesses more than $500 million a year if applied nationwide.
