Victorian motorists have headed in droves to a new online mapping website that provides real-time information on the state’s road closures, with the website receiving more than 500,000 hits since going live in December.

Developed with cutting-edge Geographic Information System (GIS) technology from leading location intelligence specialist Esri Australia, and designed in conjunction with web developers Wave Digital, the new VicRoads Road Closures and Traffic Alerts website updates the public on roads affected by damage, major crashes and extreme weather events.

The mapping website was developed in the wake of last year’s devastating floods which caused land slips, washed away bridges and led to the closure of almost 400 roads across Victoria.

VicRoads Spatial Information Manager Evan Quick said the online map delivered timely, accurate road closure information to the community – a critical service given the dangers floods have presented during the past 12 months.

“Our previous website featured lists of roads that could sometimes go on for over 40 webpages – which isn’t ideal for people who require quick updates during an emergency situation when every second counts,” Mr Quick said.

“An online map is a much more intuitive way of displaying road closures and enables the public, media and emergency services organisations to react faster during extreme weather events and emergencies.

“A user just needs to click on the location of a road closure, re-opening, traffic alert or detour to access more detailed information about the situation at hand; such as the time of the incident, extent of delays, or alternate routes.

“Esri Australia’s GIS technology has transformed our existing road closure information into an intelligent, visual web tool which has made the Victorian road network safer for the community.”

The public has thrown their support behind the website, which received over 300,000 hits in just a few days during the most recent Victorian floods in early March.

The map is regularly updated with information VicRoads receives from staff, members of the community and agencies such as the Victorian Police, the Country Fire Authority and local governments – with new reports able to go live in less than a minute.

It is also accessible on smart phones via the VicRoads website, enabling people in the vicinity of a road incident to gather a quick understanding of a situation as it unfolds.

Esri Australia Business Manager Jean-Noel Jarnet said the way VicRoads had leveraged GIS technology to better serve the community was drawing significant interest from other government departments across the country.

“Providing easy access to government information through interactive, intelligent mapping applications is becoming an increasingly popular way for governments and councils to engage their communities,” said Mr Jarnet.

“The Gov 2.0 concept is about leveraging technology to deliver improved access to government information – and VicRoads is certainly setting a benchmark with this user-friendly mapping website.

“The number of visitors to the site since its launch speaks volumes about the success of the project - and I anticipate we will be seeing other government authorities across the nation start to adopt similar approaches in the coming 12 months.”

The Road Closures and Traffic Alerts map can be viewed at alerts.vicroads.vic.gov.au.