Programs

The real time signals team monitors and manually adjusts traffic lights during the morning and afternoon peaks along the busiest routes to help keep traffic flowing. 

They use the expanding network of traffic monitoring cameras to see what’s happening at intersections across Melbourne. 

Since 2020, this specialist team has more than doubled in size (to 18) to help in the quick response to traffic disruptions, incidents and blockages.

The team helps prepare the network for planned disruptions such as major road works and events. 

They work closely with major road projects, including Victoria’s Big Build partners, to prepare for disruptions and to monitor the impact.

Real time signal engineers play an essential role in getting rail replacement buses through traffic during train line disruptions. They pre-program the traffic lights to prioritise buses on the detour routes and keep a close eye on them during peak times, manually adjust traffic lights when needed to ensure trips run as smoothly and reliably as possible. 

And with Melbourne being Australia’s major events capital, real time signal engineers are enlisted to manage increased traffic at close to a hundred events each year. 

During iconic events such as the Melbourne Cup, the Australian Open tennis carnival, the Australian F1 Grand Prix and AFL Finals at the MCG, they work on site in the control centre and remotely to ensure a coordinated response to any traffic issues, including ensuring the safe and efficient movement of hundreds of thousands of people as they enter and exit these venues.