Signal timing project helps reduce travel times on Perth roads

The Western Australian Government’s traffic signal timing improvement project has improved average journey times on specific routes by up to 28 per cent.

The incentive, which started in 2014-15, has reduced travel time on 20 routes across the Perth metropolitan area, with further improvements scheduled for 2015-16.

The project reviewed 201 sets of traffic signals over the 20 key traffic routes, totaling 145 kilometres of road.

“Traffic signal timing can decline over time and, as part of this review, Main Roads Western Australia undertook extensive modelling to determine the optimum peak traffic signal timings and sequencing,” said Transport Minister Dean Nalder in a statement.

“As a result, with a minimal investment, the state government has significantly improved journey times and congestion for road network users by better optimising existing infrastructure.”

Mr. Nalder said the 2015-16 project included signal timing changes to 10 new traffic routes and a reassessment of 10 routes where traffic signal improvements were initiated in 2014-15.

“Key sections of road where there was a major reduction in average journey times included along Stock Road, which reduced by 28 per cent in the afternoon peak, and Great Eastern Highway – Lloyd Street to Coolgardie Avenue – which reduced by 22 per cent in the morning peak.  Stirling Highway also saw journey times reduced by 12 per cent in the afternoon peak,” he added.

Mr. Nalder said the government would double the signal timing review to include more than 400 sets of traffic signals in 2016-17.