More Productive and Efficient Freeways

Perth’s first Smart Freeway is a milestone for Main Roads in ‘intelligent operation’ of our existing freeways. It was opened in August 2020.

Through roadside technology and sophisticated traffic control systems, the $56m project on Kwinana Freeway northbound, from Roe Highway to the Narrows Bridge, successfully meets the promise of more reliable journeys, safer driving experiences and reduced congestion.

Within its first 10 months, average travel time saved on this section of Kwinana Freeway was five minutes. There was also an average 13 per cent increase in traffic flow across Narrows Bridge during the morning peak hour. Whilst the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact travel behaviour, this section of freeway is more productive and efficient than ever before.

During construction, the Smart Freeway Kwinana Northbound project supported 245 jobs. It is expected the Smart Freeway Mitchell Southbound project will support up to 500 jobs during construction.

In addition, the Intelligent Transport Systems used on our Kwinana Smart Freeway required technologies and equipment that were not readily available in the state. The COVID-19 pandemic complicated the build during 2020, in relation to consultants and technicians coming to Perth from overseas or eastern states. However, local technicians and companies stepped up, educating themselves and working remotely with experts. This knowledge transfer and the experience gained by Western Australian–based providers will assist with the delivery of future Smart Freeways.

Operated 24/7 from the Road Network Operations Centre, a dedicated team monitors the various systems and respond using overhead lane-use signs and variable message signs. They also apply reduced speed limits in response to congestion on the freeway. This function regularly operates during peak periods and enhances safety for road users by providing advance notification of queues ahead.

Along the all-lanes-running section of the Smart Freeway, emergency stopping bays provide a safe pull-over area. Data from the first year shows that an average of 300 incidents per month are managed on this section. A dedicated Incident Response Service is available and, on average, has been deployed 100 times per month.

Technology continues to evolve and improve, and our Smart Freeways will be well placed to take advantage of this. Over the next 12 months, we are planning work on innovative ways to display information to drivers on the Smart Freeway section of Kwinana Freeway northbound including examining speed limit displays and driver attention, and colour-coded travel times and pictograms on dynamic messaging signs. To get the latest information on progress for our Smart Freeway on Mitchell Southbound visit our website.