Traffic Flows
Our operators monitor traffic volumes and speeds from the Road Network Operations Centre, using in-road sensors and other technologies. If congestion is building, they use the overhead electronic signs to reduce speeds, control traffic flow and display information, particularly if there is an incident ahead.
The installation of co-ordinated ramp signals at freeway on ramps helps our operators better manage traffic flow onto the freeway in a measured way, keeping traffic moving and minimising congestion.
When the freeway is heavily congested, traffic slows down and can even come to a standstill, which only gets worse as more cars arrive.
By slowing down traffic before it reaches the congestion point, vehicles already affected have time to clear. This keeps traffic flowing more smoothly and consistently along the entire length of the freeway.
When too many vehicles try to join existing traffic on the freeway, they’re unable to reach the right merging speed.
Once freeway traffic is slowed, the impact can be felt for kilometres, causing congestion to build.
Traffic lights at the on-ramps allow only one vehicle per lane to enter at a time, giving each one the opportunity to get up to freeway merging speed, which optimises traffic flows along the freeway.