Truck speed limits and variable car speed limits are being introduced on the Monash Freeway in Melbourne. The Victorian Government is undertaking a trial in which speeds on the Monash Freeway will move up and down based on live traffic conditions.
The Dynamic Speed Trial, which starts in early July, running between High Street in Ashburton and Glenferrie Road in Toorak, means car drivers, when it is safe to do so, will be able to increase their speed from 80 km/hour to 100km/hour on this section of the Monash.
Alongside this trial is another pilot program and it will see trucks travel at 90km/h along a 10 kilometre section of the Monash Freeway between Huntingdale Road and Jacksons Road.
The Monash Speed Trial will run for 18 months, with a second trial phase banning trucks from the right hand lane alongside the 90km/hour speed limit in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the two measures together.
According to the government, reducing the speed trucks are travelling will create greater distances between cars and trucks and allow cars to navigate safely around trucks reducing the likelihood of rear end and side swipe crashes.
“We’re applying the world’s best traffic management practices to roads right here in Melbourne,” said Luke Donnellan, Victorian Minister for Roads. “Providing safer speeds that are right for the road will mean people can get to where they need to be as safely and efficiently as possible, without impacting on the productivity of our freight industry.”
The trial’s focus will determine the effectiveness of reducing the speed limit for trucks to improve road safety and reduce the number of crashes involving cars and trucks.
“The Victorian Transport Association has a long history of working with governments and statutory authorities on initiatives that produce safety benefits for motorists and productivity gains for freight operators,” said Peter Anderson, VTA CEO. “We support the Monash Speed Trial because we believe speed reductions here have the potential to create productivity and safety improvements for operators, which is good for business.”