West Gate Freeway

Visionstream Australia has been awarded a contract to provide an intelligent transport system (ITS) and communications infrastructure to the West Gate Freeway Managed Motorway Project in Melbourne, Victoria.

To be executed under the National Smart Managed Motorways Program, the contract involves design and construction of the ITS and an operations and maintenance component for two years, and is expected to be completed by mid-2014.

Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said that the technology will provide VicRoads, Victoria’s road and traffic authority, with the tools it needs to better manage traffic flows and respond quickly to accidents and breakdowns.

"As well as being good for taxpayers, this technology will deliver faster, safer and less frustrating driving conditions for the 160,000 motorists and truck drivers who use this vital part of Melbourne’s road network every day," the minister said.

"If applied nationwide, electronic freeway management systems have the potential to greatly reduce congestion and save Australian families and businesses more than $500m a year."

"Indeed if applied nationwide, electronic freeway management systems have the potential to greatly reduce congestion and save Australian families and businesses more than $500m a year," Albanese noted.

Under the new contract, the company will carry out the design, supply, installation and integration of ITS devices such as lane use signs that advise drivers of which lanes to use, and new side-mounted variable speed limit signs that allow travellers to adjust speed to suit conditions.

The project also includes the installation of traffic data collection stations, CCTV cameras and other supporting ICT infrastructure.

Additionally, Visionstream will commission and manage the system on behalf of VicRoads for the duration of the contract, including faults restoration and maintenance.

Once completed, the system will be fully integrated with the M1 east of Williamstown Road and then with the M80 Ring Road.

Image: Nearly 160,000 motorists and truck drivers use West Gate Freeway, a vital part of Melbourne’s road network, every day. Photo courtesy of Thiess.