In July 1995, VicRoads commissioned a Freeway Information System `Drive Time' on a 15.5 km section of Melbourne's South Eastern Arterial. Data from a series of incident detection stations is used to generate travel time and traffic conditions information. This information together with details of incidents, roadworks, etc, is conveyed to motorists using a series of Hi-Tech signs and an automatic telephone and facsimile service. This paper briefly describes the extent and operation of the system and provides details of a performance evaluation covering such aspects as public perception, public understanding, driving behaviour, traffic impacts and accidents. Drive Time has been shown to successfully provide traffic successfully provide traffic information to the public. The cost of the system was $1.0 million and the benefits have been estimated at some $800,000 per annum. (A)
Abstract