A new report from Australian transport advocate RACV has called for a $4.6bn investment to fix critical road-related problems in Victoria over the next decade.

It took a year for the motoring body to survey close to 8,000 respondents in the state, who provided information about key transport concerns.

The survey also engaged with local councils, public transport operators and state government agencies.

"RACV proposes that an accelerated and long overdue ongoing program of investment is required in regional Victoria."

Town bypasses, road duplications, capacity upgrades, safety improvements, railway station upgrades and public transport service improvements were a part of the investigation.

RACV public policy general manager Brian Negus said: "Victoria’s regional population is forecast to expand by roughly 430,000 by 2031, so to cope with population and jobs growth over the coming decades; regional cities need to be prepared.

"To ensure this growth is managed in a sustainable manner, RACV proposes that an accelerated and long overdue ongoing program of investment is required in regional Victoria."

A number of projects such as the Metropolitan Ring Road, Princes Highway, Princes Highway West, Western, Shepparton Bypass, Traralgon Bypass and Avalon Airport were prioritised. The upgrade of all existing sections of the national highway network was also suggested, in order to improve road safety.

The report has also identified the need for more localised transport improvements to cope with transport demands in the regional cities of Ballarat, Greater Bendigo, Greater Geelong, Horsham, Latrobe, Mildura, Greater Shepparton, Wangaratta, Warrnambool and Wodonga.

Negus added: "An investment of approximately $580m would achieve the minimum three safety star standard needed on Victoria’s major highways.

"This investment in safety upgrades would save at least 2,800 people from serious injury or death over the next 20 years."

Warrnambool mayor Michael Neoh said: "The need for significant infrastructure spending to achieve minimum safety standards on regional roads is absolutely vital. More than 25% of Victorians live in regional areas and country communities.

"Ensuring that transport links between the regions and to Melbourne are safe and accessible is critical."