Keeping the traffic flowing in Perth

Perth's freeways have seen a seven per cent rise in traffic volume over the past 12 months, with no reported increase in travel times, according to latest figures.

  • More traffic but freeway driving time remains the same
  • Car registrations up by 1.2 per cent
  • Data shows traffic flow in Perth compares well to other Australasian cities

Perth's freeways have seen a seven per cent rise in traffic volume over the past 12 months, with no reported increase in travel times, according to latest figures.
Traffic counters on the Mitchell and Kwinana freeways in both directions have recorded a seven per cent increase in the number of vehicles. Traffic monitoring by Main Roads WA has shown no further delay in travel times.
Transport Minister Dean Nalder said the State Government was determined to improve travelling times by separating vehicles, trucks, cyclists and buses as much as possible, and by improving traffic signalling and intersections.
Statistics from the Department of Transport showed the number of registered vehicles in Western Australia increased by 1.2 per cent from 2,730,483 to 2,763,172 from 2013-14 to 2014-15.
"The latest figures show we are working hard to maintain traffic flow and succeeding.  But I recognise that for many motorists, the stop-start traffic is still frustrating," Mr Nalder said.
"So we are focusing on several areas, such as using innovation and technology at traffic lights, intersections and merging; and investing in major projects such as Perth Freight Link, the Mitchell Freeway extension, Gateway WA and the Reid Highway dual carriageway.
"We need to improve traffic flow and make it easier for people to get to and from home faster." 
In related moves, Perth has been ranked sixth on the TomTom Traffic Congestion Index with Sydney listed as the most congested city in Australasia.
The Minister said the new data released by TomTom showed that traffic congestion in Perth had remained steady at 27 per cent during 2013 and 2014, comparing favourably to the 2012 traffic index figures for Perth which was 30 per cent. 
"This is an early indicator that our work to improve traffic flow is having a positive impact," he said.
TomTom uses data from its GPS products to compare peak and non-peak travel times.


Fact File

Minister's office - 6552 6400
 
WA VEHICLE REGISTRATIONS

Year

Registered vehicles

Increase on previous year

2014-15

2,763,172

1.2%

2013-14

2,730,483

2.83%

2012-13

2,655,365

4.49%

2011-12

2,541,205

3.72%


TOMTOM FIGURES FOR AUSTRALASIAN CITIES

City

2014 rankings

Congestion Index

2014 score

Change from 2013 to 2014

Sydney

1

35%

1%

Auckland

2

32%

3%

Wellington

3

29%

1%

Melbourne

4

28%

1%

Christchurch

5

28%

2%

Perth

6

27%

0%

Adelaide

7

25%

0%

Brisbane

8

25%

2%

Canberra

9

17%

0%