Federal candidates must commit to tackling congestion in the eastern suburbs, with the Graham Farmer Freeway/Orrong Road/Welshpool Road East corridor set to be the third most congested road in Australia by 2031, and Leach Highway and Roe Highway set to be eighth and ninth in the nation respectively.
RAC General Manager Corporate Affairs, Will Golsby, said RAC’s top five Federal Priorities for Western Australia highlighted the urgent need for federal investment in network management technologies for these roads, along with the Thornlie rail line extension.
“Western Australians are tired of wasting time sitting in traffic and it’s forecast to only get worse,” he said.
“Unless critical transport projects are adequately funded now, Perth’s eastern suburbs are predicted to come to a halt.”
In 2014, RAC and Main Roads WA reduced queue lengths at intersections by up to 34 per cent in a traffic light technology trial along Orrong Road. By adjusting the signal cycle times, it was found road users experienced reduced waiting times, received green lights more frequently and moved through multiple sets of traffic lights, minimising delays.
“The trial showed that journey times could be reduced by up to 20 per cent simply by improving the coordination of traffic lights on congested roads,” Mr Golsby said.
“By changing the way we manage systems like traffic lights, we can squeeze more out of our existing roads and help tackle the growing congestion problem in Perth’s eastern suburbs.”
Mr Golsby said the Thornlie rail line extension could help reduce congestion by providing a public transport alternative to Roe Highway.
“The extension of the Thornlie rail line would provide an alternative option for commuters currently competing with freight and commercial traffic on Roe Highway,” he said.
Infrastructure Australia predicts seven of the country’s 10 most congested roads will be in Perth in a mere 15 years’ time, and the cost of congestion is estimated to be more than $16 billion a year.
As part of the national Keep Australia Moving campaign, RAC is calling on candidates ahead of next month’s Federal Election to commit to a fairer share of funding for the State. Community members can join the campaign by sending a message to their local candidates, asking them to invest in critical projects needed to keep WA on the move.
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Federal candidates must commit to tackling congestion in the eastern suburbs, with the Graham Farmer Freeway/Orrong Road/Welshpool Road East corridor set to be the third most congested road in Australia by 2031, and Leach Highway and Roe Highway set to be eighth and ninth in the nation respectively.
