Melbourne’s traffic figures rising again after bottoming out at coronavirus peak
Have you noticed more cars on the road in recent weeks? New data shows you weren’t imagining it. Thousands of motorists are back behind the wheel, and travelling on Melbourne’s most popular routes once more.
VIC News
Don't miss out on the headlines from VIC News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Thousands of motorists are returning to Melbourne roads as new data shows traffic is on the rise again after bottoming out during coronavirus restrictions.
Figures collected by technology company Real Time Traffic reveal the number of cars travelling along 10 of the city’s busiest routes increased by as much as 15 per cent during the last week of April.
Major arterials recorded some of the biggest jumps, with more than 8300 daily trips added to Hoddle St compared to the start of the month.
But congestion remains well below typical levels as lockdowns continue and many Victorians work and learn from home.
Real Time Traffic’s head of analytics Felicia Velde said the figures showed the full impact of Victoria’s current regulations.
“From the introduction of Stage 2 restrictions, traffic volumes dropped sharply by 45 per cent over a 4-week period,” she said.
“The lowest dip occurred shortly after the government restricted public gatherings to no more than 2 people.
“However, in the past two weeks, we have started to see an uptick in traffic volumes, by as much as 15 per cent.”
Vehicle numbers were sourced from traffic signals data and the 10 key routes were chosen because of their importance to the entire transport network as well as their local area.
Ms Velde said it was hard to know why exactly these numbers were on the rise.
“Our infection numbers are coming down,” she said.
“The government benefits are starting to flow through
“This increasingly positive outlook on the situation could be attributed to more people returning to work and a more normalised pattern of food shopping.
“By continuing to collect and analyse data around traffic movements we can start to understand whether some of the changed traffic and commuting patterns will become permanent or not.”
An RACV spokesman said it was vital Victorians continued to obey government directions to stay at home where possible.
“While we can only assume the increase in traffic is being driven by an eagerness for life to return to ‘normal’, RACV reminds motorists that stage three restrictions are still in place,” he said.
MORE NEWS
INSIDE VICTORIA’S POTENTIAL CAR REGO OVERHAUL