Using Google travel time data, the New South Wales government have implemented a motorway messaging system that empowers motorists with the information they need to make decisions on the road.

Whether to leave the motorway and take the back streets to avoid a traffic jam, or just know how long you will be on your way to work: it is valuable information to commuters and helps manage congestion on the road network.

As part of the Pinch Points program, the expansion of smart technology uses crowd sourced Google data to beam real-time information to more than 40 electronic message signs across Sydney.

NGIS implemented Google’s information in order to calculate live journey times. Google Maps web services were integrated into the VMS publishing environment.

In a press release from the NSW government, Roads, Maritime and Freight Minister Melinda Pavey said the updated technology would allow motorists to make better decisions about the best and fastest way to get to their destination.

“This initiative will result in real time travel information being provided on existing electronic message signs on key routes which are traditionally used to convey special event, road work or unplanned incident information, such as crashes or breakdowns,” Mrs Pavey said.

The NSW Government is investing $205,000 for this initiative as part of the $225 million Pinch Points program which aims to ease congestion and improve journey reliability on Sydney’s road network.

Pavey said as motorists pass each of the 42 selected electronic message signs, they will be able to view the number of minutes it will take for them to reach key landmarks or destinations along their chosen route.

“For example, motorists travelling eastbound from Concord along the Great Western Highway corridor will be able to see how many minutes it will take to reach the Anzac Bridge and how many minutes it will take to reach Broadway.

“This will help manage motorists’ expectations and enable them to make better decisions about whether to continue along their chosen path or take an alternative route to reach their destination faster.”

To find out more about what NGIS does in transport, see our solutions page.