Live travel time information is available on the F3 Freeway between Wahroonga and Ourimbah.
The system displays the estimated length of time it should take to reach upcoming freeway exits, based on the current traffic flow. Travel time estimates are updated every three minutes to reflect the current travel conditions and provide the most accurate estimates.
Travel time estimates will also be updated and displayed on the Live Traffic NSW website at www.livetrafficnsw.com. If you are planning to travel on the F3, you can visit the website to check travel time estimates being displayed on the electronic message signs – go to Live conditions on the right side of the page and tick the box for Variable Message Signs.
What F3 road users will see
If you are travelling on the F3 Freeway between Wahroonga and Ourimbah, seven days a week between 4am and 10pm, you will see the travel time estimates displayed on fixed electronic message signs.
Typical travel time messages will include two upcoming exits with estimated times.
Displays will be similar to those in the image below.
If there are delays caused by heavy traffic ahead, the electronic message signs will alternate between travel time estimates and delay messages, like the image below. The travel time estimates will be longer than usual to reflect the traffic conditions.
If there are delays caused by a crash or other major incident, the electronic message signs will be used to communicate specific information about the incident or traffic conditions, rather than travel time estimates.
When the travel time system is not operating, other information such as road work, special event or road safety messages may be displayed on the electronic message signs.
How travel time works
The F3 travel time system works by detecting vehicles at points along the road and calculating the time taken to get from one point to the next. Multiple vehicles are detected and the average length of time to travel between points provides the estimated travel time.
The system only recognises vehicles with E-Toll tags. There are 20 fixed electronic tag readers placed along the 58km between Wahroonga and Ourimbah – 10 in each direction.
During the system’s operating times, seven days a week between 4am and 10pm, the travel time system is continuously collecting the travel data from the tags and estimating point-to-point travel times, which are then displayed on the electronic message signs.
It’s important to remember the travel times displayed are estimates only. Times are based on the travel data for the previous three minutes and reflect the average travel time of all vehicles detected. Travel times are continuously collected and calculated to provide the most accurate and current estimates.
Your actual travel time will depend on your speed, if you stop along the way and any changes to traffic conditions that occur during your journey.
The F3 travel time system detects E-Toll tags as they pass the tag readers but no personal information is collected. The system has not been developed to identify, locate or track individual road users or vehicles.
More information
For more information is available on the Frequently Asked Questions page