What is SmartRoads?
SmartRoads is an approach that manages competing interests for limited road space by giving priority use of the road to different transport modes at particular times of the day.
All road users will continue to have access to all roads. However, certain routes will be managed to work better for cars while others will be managed for public transport, cyclists and pedestrians.
SmartRoads ensures that decisions about the operation of the road network support land use and transport planning and better consider the effects on the surrounding community, Victoria’s key activity centres and the environment.
SmartRoads uses a set of guiding principles to establish the priority use of roads by transport mode, time, and place of activity. These priority movements are then assigned to arterial roads across the network forming SmartRoads Network Operating Plan.
Under SmartRoads:
- Pedestrians will be encouraged by facilitating good pedestrian access into and within activity centres in periods of high demand.
- Trams and buses are given priority on key public transport routes that link activity centres during morning and afternoon peak periods.
- Cars will be encouraged to use alternative routes around activity centres to reduce the level of ‘through’ traffic.
- Bicycles will be encouraged through further developing the bicycle network.
- While trucks will have full access to the arterial road network, they will be given priority on important transport routes that link freight hubs and at times that reduce conflict with other transport modes.
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