Redevelopments Aim to Fix Congestion on Victorian Roads

A number of progressive solutions to Victoria’s road congestion problems have been proposed ahead of the 9th Annual Victorian Transport Infrastructure Conference 2017 which will bring together leading experts across the state to discuss infrastructure priorities including roads, rail and urban development.

With an opening address delivered by the Hon. Jacinta Allan, Minister of Public Transport, the conference will be a platform for showcasing the latest updates on the State’s largest transport works, in light of the Victorian State budget allocation of over $10.4 billion towards public transport and road works.

The conference will feature recent updates to the largest urban renewal plan in Australia, Fishermans Bend, presented by General Manager of Fishermans Bend Taskforce, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Geoff Ward.

Through the newly updated Fishermans Bend development, the government aims to achieve the right balance between public and private transport. Upgrades are expected to include new cycle paths, tram lines and an underground rail line. Victoria could see a more sustainable approach to transportation as the government seeks to engineer 80% of transport movement through integrated public transport.

The 2016 recast vision of Fishermans Bend sees the project almost double in size, to now include an additional Employment Precinct which will support jobs and economic development, providing community infrastructure such as schools.

The Fishermans Bend development will serve as a key part of an expanded central city, with a prime location to the south-west of Melbourne’s CBD, covering an area of approximately 491 hectares. Over the next 35 years, Fishermans Bend is expected to accommodate approximately 80,000 residents and provide 60,000 jobs across five precincts, located across the City of Port Phillip and the City of Melbourne.

The conference will also debate the merits of the potential implementation of Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS) in the Australian automation industry. C-ITS could see traffic lights communicate with vehicles to address congestion, shorter travel times while connected cars could help drivers reach their location faster and alert emergency services in the event of an accident. Australian vehicles could see C-ITS technology installed within the next few years. 

Another radical solution comes from Infrastructure Victoria’s proposed congestion tax which follows in the footsteps of cities that have dealt with congestion issues such as London and Stockholm. The tax would see motorists charged for road use in the inner city, based on zoned areas. The idea has been opposed by the Victorian Premiere but may re-emerge in decades to come as a viable solution to congested conditions.

A panel discussion on reducing Melbourne’s congestion will comprise Brian Negus, General Manager - Public Policy, RACV, Chris Koniditsiotis, Chief Executive Officier, Transport Certification Australia and Majid Sarvi, PhD, Professor in Transport for Smart Cities, Department of Infrastructure Engineering, The University of Melbourne.

The 9th Annual Victoria Transport Infrastructure Conference 2017 will convene on the 21st and 22nd of March 2017 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. 

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