Article: And Melbourne's traffic is getting worse

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And Melbourne's traffic is getting worse

And Melbourne's traffic is getting worse

    * Ashley Gardiner
    * From: Herald Sun
    * September 29, 2009 12:00AM

The latest VicRoads traffic monitor report shows an overall drop in average speeds across the city.

In 2007-08, the average speed was 40.4km/h - a fall of 2km/h in five years.

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The report showed an improvement in the afternoon peak and a deterioration in the morning.

Travel times on outer-suburban freeways in peak hours improved, but worsened in the off-peak.

VicRoads executive director Robert Freemantle said overall road travel in Melbourne increased by 1.5 per cent in a year.

He said further improvements were expected when the M1 upgrade was finished, which would include hi-tech traffic management systems.

This would include more ramp signals, which are the traffic lights that control entry on to freeways.

"Under this unique new system, ramp signals will be introduced at more than 60 locations to monitor and control traffic," Mr Freemantle said.

"On-road signs will inform drivers of lane closures, speed limits and freeway conditions.

"We anticipate these measures will significantly increase traffic flow and improve freeway reliability."

RACV chief engineer Peter Daly said the report demonstrated only marginal differences.

The results were more than a year old, he said.

"A lot has happened over the past year, with public transport patronage growth and the global financial crisis," Mr Daly said.

"All sorts of things have happened, so I'm not sure this reflects what's happening on our roads right now. But if the trends continued, we'd be sitting at the same point."

The report showed that nine out of the 10 busiest segments of freeways were part of the Monash-West Gate corridor.

"This shows the complete reliance Melbourne has on it. When something happens on the Monash-West Gate, Melbourne shuts down," Mr Daly said.

The report showed the need for more public transport investment and consideration of an east-west road tunnel between the Eastern Freeway and CityLink, he said.