Roundabout metering a first for Perth

• Point Lewis roundabout to have 'metering' traffic signals installed

• Traffic congestion on Mounts Bay Road will be significantly reduced

Main Roads is now installing traffic lights at one of Perth's busiest roundabouts to help ease peak-hour congestion.

The installation of metering signals at Point Lewis roundabout is a first for Western Australia.

The roundabout is at the intersection of Mounts Bay Road and the Kwinana Freeway southbound on-ramp and is one of the worst bottlenecks in the CBD.

Transport Minister Troy Buswell said the traffic lights would be installed on Mounts Bay Road on the eastbound approach to the roundabout and would help to move traffic more efficiently.

The signals will be operational from November 9.  Unlike normal traffic lights, the signals only operate when traffic builds up - at all other times normal roundabout rules will apply.

The lights will be red for a maximum of 30 seconds per cycle in the morning and 40 seconds per cycle in the evening.

"We expect the signals to mainly operate during the morning and afternoon peak," Mr Buswell said.

"Queue detectors will be installed on all roundabout entries and the signals will be activated when the detectors show a significant traffic build up.

"A red light will come on for only short durations, so we don't expect significant delays for roundabout users, but these changes will mean the intersection will work more efficiently.

"The signals will allow traffic through the roundabout quickly and safely, reducing the queue.

"This is another innovative measure the State Government is introducing to ease congestion on our road network."

The signal displays will be red and yellow, (there will be no green): 

• Red means drivers must stop

• Yellow means prepare to stop

• If there is no red or yellow signal, drivers can move to the roundabout, following the usual roundabout rules and give way.

The Minister said roundabout metering was part of a broader package of transport initiatives designed to reduce congestion and address the challenges associated with Perth's increasing population.

"Already this year we have seen remarkable success with the introduction of a third lane in the Graham Farmer Freeway tunnel and motorists will soon benefit from an extra lane on the Mitchell Freeway northbound, from the tunnel to Hutton Street," he said.

      Fact File

•  YouTube clip of how a metered roundabout works with red/yellow signals: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUBSlxFwgRY 

• State road authorities in the Eastern States have successfully introduced roundabout metering as a measure to improve the efficiency and capacity of roundabouts

• The $30million widening of the Mitchell Freeway northbound between Hepburn Avenue and Hodges Drive will open later this year

Minister's office - 6552 6400