In accordance with section 16(3) of the Audit Act 1994 a copy of this report was provided to the Department of Transport, VicRoads, Public Transport Victoria and the Department of Planning and Community Development with a request for submissions or comments.
The submissions and comments provided are not subject to audit nor the evidentiary standards required to reach an audit conclusion. Responsibility for the accuracy, fairness and balance of those comments rests solely with the agency head.
Responses were received as follows:
Source: Department of Transport.
The state has implemented a number of land-use and transport initiatives in recent years that are relevant to managing congestion. Figure A1 highlights a chronology of key initiatives focusing on those aspects of most relevance to congestion management.
Figure A1
Initiatives relevant to managing congestion
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Initiative |
Description |
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Making the most effective use of limited available road space is a key strategy for managing congestion. This requires understanding the efficiency of the network, strategies for managing competing demand for road use, and effective traffic signals and management systems that optimise traffic flow.
Demand management involves a range of strategies that can reduce traffic congestion by encouraging reduced car commuting at critical times and locations. It contrasts with supply-side approaches that seek to relieve congestion by supplying extra road space.
When appraising the merits of infrastructure expansion proposals for relieving traffic congestion, agencies should consider and document sufficient information to:
Sound strategic planning and oversight including coordination, implementation and monitoring of related initiatives is critical for effective congestion management.
The absence of clear statewide objectives, agency responsibilities and reporting on congestion management means it cannot be demonstrated that current initiatives are properly targeted, or that strategic planning across the transport portfolio is soundly based, integrated and aligned.
Traffic is a sign of mobility and of a dynamic economy. However, excessive congestion causes a range of undesirable consequences. It imposes costs on the community and businesses through:
Traffic on our roads is a sign of mobility and of a dynamic economy. However, excessive congestion has a range of undesirable consequences including increased costs to the community and businesses through longer, less predictable travel times, lost productivity, additional running costs of vehicles, and environmental pollution.
In 2006, the Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission estimated the economic costs of Melbourne's congestion ranged from $1.3 billion to $2.6 billion per year, and that this was likely to double by 2020.