Opening the GTAV Map
- Go to the GTAV – AURIN map website: https://gtav.aurin.org.au/

- Click I agree to the disclaimer
Adding a map layer
- On the left side, click on the blue Add data button
- Click on the Y10 Environmental Change and Management and click on the ABS Census – Method of travel to work SA2 (2016)
- Click Add to the Map. See screenshot below.

3) Zoom into Melbourne. Click on each method of transport on the drop-down menu on the left. You will see that the colours on the map represent the number of people travelling to work using that particular form of transport. Click on the different types of transport to see how the map changes.
a. Look at the tram and light rail layer. Which of the following terms might you use to describe the distribution of tram and light rail use to get to work?
Dispersed – Clustered – Linear
(Dispersed means something is spread fairly evenly over an area, clustered means items are concentrated in certain locations, whereas linear means items occur along clear lines across a place.)
b. How does this distribution compare with the Train Count? Why might there be a difference?
c. Compare the layer Public Transportation Count (this includes train, bus, ferry, tram and light rail) with the Car as Driver Count layer. Compare the distribution shown on these two layers. What do you notice about how the type of transport changes as distance from the CBD increases?
d. Study the Car as Driver Count layer. Describe the distribution that you observe. Why might people choose to travel by car to work rather than take public transport? What can you conclude about public transport availability in the high car user areas?
e. Investigate the car travel in your area or your school area. What pattern can you see? Can you explain this pattern?
f. In 2018 the Victorian Labor Government announced a proposal to build a suburban rail loop in Melbourne. Read this article which includes a map of the plan. What impact might this loop have on car commuter traffic if it is built?
- Switch off the method of travel to work layer, by clicking on the white box next to the layer name, so that the box is empty
- On the left side, click on the blue Add data button.
- Scroll down to the Y10 Environmental Change and Management section and select the VicRoads – Traffic Volume (Polyline) 2012
- Click the blue Add to the map button.
- See screenshot below.

7. Looking at the traffic volume layer, you’ll see the different colours represent high, medium and low traffic volumes as per the legend. By clicking on the roads on the map, a box will appear with the name of the road and its daily traffic volume (number of cars per day).
a. Name four roads that are rated as having high traffic volume.
b. What do you notice about the types of roads that have the highest volumes?
c. Find the Monash freeway. How does the daily traffic volume change towards the city? E.g. compare the traffic volume at Narre Warren with that at Glen Iris.
d. Now choose a route that you travel and observe how the volumes change.
Extension Activity
Use this link to open an article with interactive maps showing commuting times in Melbourne.
a. With reference to specific examples in the article comment on how time of day influences travel times on Melbourne’s busiest roads.
b. Show these interactives to people in your household who drive to work. Can they change the times they travel to work and reduce their overall commute?