Installation of new electronic signage on the Western Highway in Victoria, Australia, is set to offer real-time travel times and work alerts to help drivers plan their trips.

The technology is said to be the first of its kind installed permanently in the Warrenheip suburb of Victoria.

Western Highway electronic signage will use Bluetooth technology to track point-to-point travel times. It will be installed in five busy areas between Ballarat and Melbourne in locations near Ballarat, Ballan, Bacchus Marsh, Melton and Rockbank.

It will replace temporary electronic signs along the Western Highway between Ballarat and Melbourne.

“Drivers using the Western Highway will be the first in regional Victoria to benefit from the technology, providing up to date travel times and alerts to get more people where they need to go sooner.”

Signage will monitor point-to-point travel times and immediately display delays associated with road upgrades, safety improvements, weather and emergency incidents.

The installation of Western Highway electronic signage is part of the Victorian government’s Safe System Road Infrastructure Program.

Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan said: “This new signage will make it easier for people to plan their journey and avoid getting stuck in traffic.

“Drivers using the Western Highway will be the first in regional Victoria to benefit from the technology, providing up to date travel times and alerts to get more people where they need to go sooner.”

Separately, the government has given permission for the construction of a new off-road bike path along the northern edge of Victoria Park to provide safer cycling connections for Ballarat.

The 500m path will be parallel to Sturt Street between Russell and Gillies streets, and connect missing links in Ballarat’s cycling network.

Construction costs will be funded by the Transport Accident Commission (TAC). Work will be delivered by VicRoads and the City of Ballarat.