Results of peak-hour traffic flow survey

How efficient is Perth's arterial road network, particularly in peak hours?

A group of Main Roads Department staffers set out to find the answer by driving to and from work when the traffic flow was at its peak.

The result is Perth's first travel time survey that will help traffic planners pin-point priorities for improvements to the metropolitan road system.

Transport Minister Pam Beggs said today it was the forerunner to further surveys.

"The people period survey was carried out in July and November 1990 and in May last year," Mrs Beggs said.

"In the study, five runs were taken in each of the morning and evening peak periods along selected arterial routes.

"The starting point for each run was selected so that in so far as possible the survey vehicle was on the road at the time of the peak traffic at any particular location.

"The data from the survey has been collated and analysed and the peak period travel times between outer regional centres and the Perth central area identified."

These times were:

·         Wanneroo (23 km) - 33 minutes in the morning; 30 minutes in the evening.

·         Midland (17 km) - 26 mins and 20 mins.

·         Kalamunda (24 km) - 32 mins and 28 mins.

·         Armadale (27 km) - 37 mins and 36 mins.

·         Rockingham (41 km) - 43 mins and 44 mins.

·         Fremantle (17 km) - 22 mins and 23 mins.

Generally, morning peak travel times were around 10 per cent longer than evening peak times.

The survey also found that morning peak average travel time on the roads was about 14 per cent greater in wet weather.

The data also has been transferred to maps that show average travel speeds on each of the links surveyed.  These maps will help the department determine priorities for improvements to the road network.

Mrs Beggs said it was planned to repeat the survey each year so travel times could be compared.

"This first survey is timely given that when the northern suburbs rapid transit system comes on stream at the end of this year, future surveys will be able to reveal the impact the public transport system is having on travel times from those suburbs," she said.

Copies of the survey are available from the Main Roads Department Traffic Strategies Branch for $10.  Copies can be ordered by phoning (09) 323 4169.