Traffic signal design and operation

Reviewing our road network

We review our traffic signal networks to make journeys simpler, safer and more reliable for everyone.


Reviewing our traffic signal networks enables us to improve journeys by optimising the operation of our traffic signals and maximising the use of the current road space.

Network reviews help us to make significant improvements to how our road network operates without new infrastructure builds.

What we do

During a traffic signal network review, we engage key industry stakeholders and local communities to help us identify congestion and road safety hotspots. From here, we undertake reviews of the specific roads, intersections and corridors identified and explore opportunities to improve journeys.

During the review process, we look at signal timing and coordination, traffic volumes during peak and off-peak times, and how the road is used by all transport modes including cars, freight, public transport, cyclists and pedestrians.

To identify traffic networks for review we assess:

  • congestion data
  • stakeholder and community feedback
  • areas where travel demands have changed (including new road openings, duplications or commercial developments)
  • when we last carried out a review at this location
  • the level of improvement we expect from this review.

Why we do it

As our population continues to grow, there is increasing pressure on the transport network to move people and goods efficiently in Victoria, especially with the many planned and unplanned disruptions that occur each day.

Each year we review our traffic signal network to identify ways to optimise existing infrastructure, ease congestion and improve road safety.

How we do it

As our communities grow and expect a greater say in transport and infrastructure decision-making, the Movement and Place framework provides opportunities to have discussions about how we can address and prioritise our future transport challenges.

The Movement and Place framework helps us to plan and develop our transport network while recognising the different functions of our roads. It guides: how we approach transport network planning and development; classify different transport networks; and measure their performance and determine how they can be improved.

Roads play an important role in providing transport links but also as popular destinations for communities. When we review traffic networks, we use the Movement and Place framework to ensure we find the right balance between how people travel to and through these areas.