VicRoads to gather realtime traffic flow information

VicRoads is using Bluetooth to gather live traffic flow data.

Acting Road Operations Director Nick Fisher told Tom Elliott the technology can gauge how long it is taking for cars to travel certain distances.

Currently, just under 20% of cars are Bluetooth active, but as that increases, so will the accuracy of the data.

‘There’s an algorithm in these Bluetooth readers that tells us when it’s worse than normal,’ he said.

‘We prove a level of ‘green way’ for a period to provide relief.’

Mr Fisher also confirmed that pedestrians pressing the button at Melbourne CBD intersections does nothing.

‘It’s a feature that came in before automation,’ he said.

Click play to hear VicRoads’ plans for the future