In 1995, VicRoads installed a Freeway Information System on Melbourne's South Eastern Arterial. ARRB Transport Research conducted an evaluation of the system at the time of its commissioning. This report describes the system, known as `Drive Time' and presents the findings of the system evaluation. The evaluation comprised a comparison of traffic distribution patterns before, immediately after and several months after commissioning of the system. Concurrent with this an extensive user interview survey and accident rate analysis was conducted. Major findings were that Drive Time is well accepted and understood by its users. It is effective in redistributing traffic to alternative routes during incidents and in off-peak and inter-peak periods. No adverse effects on local roads or on driving behaviour or accidents rates were evident from the analysis. Benefits have been estimated at $800,000 per annum, mainly due to reduction of delays associated with incidents. This compares to an installation cost of $1.0 million. (A) For earlier work see IRRD 878329.
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