road safety

Congestion and delays on Victorian roads are significant issues for RACV members. Generally associated with motor vehicle use, congestion also impacts buses and trams which run on Melbourne’s road network.

Congestion increases travel time and vehicle operating costs, with effects that cascade through the entire economy. The Bureau of Transport Economics (now the Bureau of Transport and Regional Economics) estimates that traffic delays in Melbourne cost the community around $2.7 billion per year in additional travel time and resource usage.

The State Government in its Linking Melbourne report estimates that approximately 640 kilometres of the arterial road network is congested at peak times. Additionally, congestion in Melbourne traffic contributes approximately 2.9 million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year.

RACV research 

RACV has conducted market research on motorists' perceptions about the road network. We found that congestion on Melbourne's roads is seen to be worse than it was five years ago, and it doesn't look as if it will get any better.

In 2008, a total of 89% of survey respondents believe congestion is worse than it was five years ago, with most of those saying it is much worse. This is up from 83% in 2006. Meanwhile, 85% of respondents expect congestion to get worse in five years time. This is up from 80% in 2006.

redspot survey

The results of the Redspot Survey backs up these perceptions. The Survey is run every two years, allowing the public to nominate the worst traffic snarl points they encounter in their travels.

• Find out more about the Redspot Survey.

more information

• Bureau of Transport and Regional Economics - Urban Traffic and Congestion Trends
• Department of Infrastructure - Linking Melbourne report