The Victorian Government has announced its Dynamic Speed Trial that will see speeds on the state’s Monash Freeway move up and down based on live traffic conditions.
Under the trial, speed limits will change in response to road conditions, such as the increase or decrease in traffic volumes, weather condition and the time of day.
The six-month Dynamic Speed Trial will start in July and run between High Street in Ashburton and Glenferrie Road in Toorak. During the trial motorists will be able to increase their speed from 80km/hr to 100km/hr on this section of the Monash, when it is safe to do so.
The new approach to traffic management will use existing technology such as CCTV and road sensors, as well as overhead electronic signs to change speed limits when conditions allow.
The pilot will trial three different phases: speeds at night, speeds at night and off-peak periods such as weekends, and speeds 24-hours a day, including peak periods.
The trial complements the Monash Speed Trial, which reduces the speed of trucks to 90km/hr along a 10-kilometre stretch of the freeway between Huntingdale Road and Jacksons Road. This trial runs for 18 months, with a second phase banning trucks from the right hand lane alongside the 90km/hr limit in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the two safety measures together.
“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,” said Victorian Minister for Roads Luke Donellan.
“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.”
Results from both trials will be independently examined and will be used to help inform the government’s future decisions around speed.