Victoria’s expanding network of freeways carries high volumes of traffic safely and efficiently. Victoria’s freeways are managed via
the Motorway Management System, which enables the TMC staff to respond rapidly to accidents and traffic disruptions.
Most of Melbourne’s freeways have an automatic incident detection system. This involves having detector stations located
approximately every 500 metres. The detector stations transmit information about traffic volumes and speeds to the computers at the
TMC, which can distinguish between recurrent traffic congestion and abnormal incidents. When something abnormal occurs, TMC
operators identify the nature of the incident using traffic surveillance cameras controlled from their work stations at the Centre.
Help phones are located on most Victorian freeways. Calls from these phones are answered by TMC operators who help motorists
by providing advice, arranging assistance, ort calling emergency services or other appropriate contacts such as a member of the
family. Motorists often use the phones to report hazards on the road.
Incident Management. When an incident occurs, a TMC operator alerts the appropriate emergency service and a VicRoads patrol
crew or contractor. The patrol crew can divert traffic and provide advice to ensure the incident is cleared as soon as possible. TMC
operators can adjust signal operations to help traffic flow around the incident.
The TMC provides a variety of information to help road users make safe and efficient use of the road system, including the Drive
Time system which provides information about travel times and traffic conditions through a variety of electronic roadside signs.
These signs enable TMC staff to provide prompt advice to drivers when a serious incident occurs. VicRoads provides real-time traffic
information on its internet site. The information includes roadworks, events, travel times and traffic alerts.
The TMC handles over 250,000 telephone calls each year, many of them relating to road and traffic conditions and hazards.
Source: VicRoads