Austraffic’s bluetooth-based technology was selected by Victoria’s Highway Department, VicRoads, to manage traffic congestion during recent tunnel closure in Melbourne; the biggest road works through the Burnley and Domain Tunnels since they opened.

Austraffic deployed BLIPTrack Bluetooth and Wi-Fi sensors at vital locations, and the data allowed VicRoads to assess the operations of a diversion route; to report on changes; and compare journey times.

The technology also enabled the department to inform and warn drivers about actual delays, on VMS displays as well as through the media, reducing congestion and journey times.

"Using Bluetooth and Wi-Fi sensors provided accurate and timely information."

BlipTrack sensors, which are installed in road networks, track Bluetooth and Wi-Fi devices such as mobile phones, tablets and hands-free installations in cars, and help measure journey time and calculate average speed.

The technology’s ability to obtain traffic flow data in real time allows road authorities to proactively manage the road network, leading to significant economic and environment benefits through reduced journey times, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

VicRoads road operations director Dean Zabrieszach said: "We were able to inform the public of delays and show how much longer the drive would take. The upside is that the delays were not out of this world, and if they chose to take the alternative route, we had set out a way they could plan in advance."

It was estimated that Melbourne’s recent tunnel closures would increase journey times up to 45 minutes; however, the BLIPTrack sensors managed to reduce the delays to only an extra 25 minutes.

Austraffic managing director John Reid said: "This was a significant closure, the kind that is rarely seen on such major networks. Using Bluetooth and Wi-Fi sensors provided accurate and timely information which is essential in managing traffic flows and reducing the impact on the public."