The Andrews Labor Government is rolling out cutting edge road crossing technology to keep Victorians safe on some of Melbourne's busiest roads.
Dynamic pedestrian crossings have been rolled out at pedestrian areas including shopping strips, sporting arenas, schools and train stations, with the 100th crossing recently installed near Dandenong High School.
Using some of Australia's latest pedestrian safety technology, the crossings are already protecting pedestrians in over 100 high-traffic areas including the MCG, Marvel Stadium and Melbourne Park, with a further 11 crossings set to be installed in the coming months.
As the number of lives lost on Victoria's roads sadly reached 146 this year, safer crossings have also been delivered across some of Melbourne's growth suburbs, with installations happening close to local schools and train stations in suburbs such as Werribee, Point Cook, Dandenong and Cranbourne.
The new crossings use a range of technology, including sensors and high-definition cameras, to detect how many people are either waiting at a crossing or currently crossing the road and automatically adjusting crossing times.
If there is a large group waiting to cross, more green time is allocated to allow enough time for users to safely reach the other side.
Drivers are also reaping the benefits of the new crossings, which are helping to keep traffic on the move across the city by delivering shorter crossing times when smaller groups are crossing and removing the need for pre-programmed traffic lights.
The rollout of the new crossing technology is all part of the Labor Government's $340 million Smarter Roads program, which is ensuring Melbourne's arterial road network is operating as efficiently as possible for all road users.
Utilising smart technology and with an expanded team of specialist engineers, the Smarter Roads program is also optimising traffic signals across Melbourne to improve travel times and reduce stop/start traffic and bottlenecks.
The program has been rolled out in some of the fastest growing suburbs in Melbourne, ensuring smoother journeys for all road users including motorists, pedestrians, bike riders, freight operators and public transport.
As stated by Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne
"Whether it's giving parents peace of mind when their kids are walking to school or helping punters get home safely after heading to the footy, cricket or concerts at the MCG, we're keep Victorians safe on Melbourne's busiest roads."
"Right across the state, we're embracing new technologies and delivering world-class infrastructure to keep everyone on our roads safe, regardless of how they choose to travel."
