Performance measures
Introduction
Our roads play a pivotal role in enabling our daily lives and supporting economic prosperity with reliable and accessible transport infrastructure being a cornerstone for socioeconomic progress. Our roads are essential in connecting rail, sea, air and inland port facilities to their markets increasing productivity, reducing travel times and creating jobs and connecting communities. We use performance measurement to gain insight into, and make judgements about, the effectiveness and efficiency of the services we provide. Our performance measures are integrated within an evaluation and reporting process that is reviewed monthly by our Leadership team.
Alignment with Government Goals
We contribute towards three goals identified by the Western Australian Government achieved through a service based outcome approach. The following table identifies the six services that drive our outcomes to deliver road related services to our customers.
| MAIN ROADS SERVICE | MAIN ROADS OUTCOME | GOVERNMENT GOALS |
|---|---|---|
| Road safety | A safe road environment |
Safe, Strong and Fair Communities Supporting our local and regional communities to thrive. |
| Infrastructure for community access | Improved community access and roadside amenity | |
| Infrastructure for State Development | Facilitate economic and regional development |
WA Jobs Plan Diversifying the economy creating local jobs for the future |
| Road Network Maintenance | A well-maintained road network | |
| Road System Management | Reliable and efficient movement of people and goods |
Investing in WAs Future Tackling climate action and supporting the arts, culture and sporting sectors to promote vibrant communities |
| Road Efficiency Improvements |
Following are key effectiveness and efficiency indicators that measure the extent of impact and success in the delivery and use of resources to provide our services.
Understanding our measures
The report begins with a summary of our service outcomes and measures for each indicator showing the trend over time and the current year results against the State Budget Papers. Following this is a narrative on each of the efficiency and effectiveness indicators for the six outcome based services. There have been no changes to the approaches or methodology underpinning our measures this year.
The following information gives an overview of the approach taken for the more prominent measures featured in this report.
Community perception
Four of the measures are derived from an annual Community Perceptions Survey that reflects the satisfaction levels of our customers across the State. An external research company collected the data by way of online interviews, social media interviews and a small number of computer assisted telephone interviews (CATI) using a developed structured questionnaire.
The population for the purpose of the research is all Western Australian residents 17 years of age and over. A sample of 714 residents from rural areas (100+ respondents from each region) and 700 residents from the Perth metropolitan area were surveyed. A stratified random sample is taken from the population ensuring that each person is given equal opportunity of being selected. The total sample of 1,414 produced a sampling precision of +/- 2.6% at the 95% confidence interval. That is to say that we would be 95% confident that the results would be within +/-2.6% should a census of the population be undertaken.
In each case, respondents had the opportunity to rate Main Roads performance as terrible, poor, okay, good or excellent in terms of road safety, providing cycleway and pedestrian facilities, road maintenance and overall performance. The reported results represent only the total of okay, good and excellent ratings.
On time and on cost
Eight of our efficiency measures are based on reporting against the delivery of our contracts in terms of time and cost. To recognise the complexity in achieving this, and consistent with approaches taken in other road agencies, all reporting against these measures includes a 10% margin when calculating the outcome. A target of 90% has been established for each of the On Time and On Cost measures based on what is an acceptable outcome considering risk and the variable nature of delivering road contracts. A result within the target range indicates that internal processes and procedures are appropriate, working well and deployed whilst a result below warrants further investigation to determine if there are any underlying systemic issues.
Investigatory criteria
A number of measures refer to Investigatory criteria, for example Network Configuration - Bridges and Smooth Travel Exposure. Investigatory criteria refer to specific and standardised parameters used to assess and evaluate the condition, performance, and maintenance needs of various road assets. These criteria help in making informed decisions in respect to asset management.
Summary of Key Performance Measures and Outcomes
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 TARGET |
2024 ACTUAL |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Road safety | |||||||
| % community satisfaction of road safety | 93 | 91 | 89 | 90 | 90 | ||
| Black Spot location indicator | 7.22 | 7.28 | 7.09 | 7.20 | 6.64 | ||
| % of contracts completed on time | 64 | 72 | 77 | 90 | 79 | ||
| % of contracts completed on budget | 95 | 97 | 86 | 90 | 97 | ||
| Road efficiency and road system management | |||||||
| % community satisfaction | 92 | 89 | 88 | 90 | 89 | ||
| % road network permitted for use by heavy vehicles | B Double -27.5m | 98 | 98 | 98 | 97 | 98 | |
| Double road trains -27.5m | 98 | 98 | 98 | 97 | 98 | ||
| Double road trains -36.5m | 82 | 82 | 82 | 80 | 82 | ||
| Triple road trains -53.5m | 45 | 44 | 45 | 45 | 44 | ||
| % network configuration | Roads | 93 | 94 | 94 | 94 | 94 | |
| Bridges | Strength | 94 | 94 | 94 | 94 | 94 | |
| Width | 96 | 96 | 96 | 96 | 96 | ||
| % of contracts completed on time | 72 | 68 | 59 | 90 | 50 | ||
| % of contracts completed on budget | 97 | 91 | 85 | 90 | 90 | ||
| Average $ cost of network management per million vehicle km travelled | 6,821 | 6,701 | 7,128 | 6,700 | 8,115 | ||
| State development | |||||||
| Average return on construction expenditure | 3.17 | 2.91 | 2.31 | 1.60 | 1.73 | ||
| % of contracts completed on time | 83 | 100 | 100 | 90 | 75 | ||
| % of contracts completed on budget | 100 | 100 | 100 | 90 | 100 | ||
| Road maintenance | |||||||
| % smooth travel exposure | 98 | n/a | 98 | n/a | n/a | ||
| % community satisfaction road maintenance | 89 | 85 | 82 | 90 | 85 | ||
| % preventative maintenance indicator | 87 | 86 | 89 | 85 | 90 | ||
| Average $ cost of network maintenance per lane kilometre of road network | 8,512 | 8,373 | 10,232 | 8,400 | 9,892 | ||
| Community access | |||||||
| % of the year that 100% of the Main Roads’ State road network is available | 84 | 87 | 75 | 95 | 83 | ||
| % Community satisfaction with cycleways and pedestrian facilities | 89 | 88 | 86 | 90 | 88 | ||
| % of contracts completed on time | 100 | 46 | 58 | 90 | 50 | ||
| % of contracts completed on budget | 100 | 85 | 83 | 90 | 88 | ||
Road safety
Outcome: providing a safe road environment
This service seeks to reduce the State’s road fatality rate to the lowest in Australia by minimising road factors contributing to road trauma and reducing the serious crash injury rate. We demonstrate this through the following measures:
| 2021 ACTUAL |
2022 ACTUAL |
2023 ACTUAL |
2024 TARGET |
2024 ACTUAL |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % community satisfaction of road safety | 93 | 91 | 89 | 90 | 90 |
| Black Spot location indicator | 7.22 | 7.28 | 7.09 | 7.20 | 6.64 |
| % of contracts completed on time | 64 | 72 | 77 | 90 | 79 |
| % of contracts completed on budget | 95 | 97 | 86 | 90 | 97 |
Effectiveness indicators
Community satisfaction with road safety
This indicator represents how satisfied the community is with Main Roads’ overall performance in the area of road safety. Ratings increased slightly this year, hitting the target with 90% of participants rating Main Roads’ performance as excellent, okay or better. The Metropolitan region has stabilised with a result of 93% for the past three years. After a dip in 2023 Goldfields Esperance increased significantly by 18%, achieving a rating of 70% and Great Southern increased by 14% achieving 90%. However, for the first time in four years the South West experienced a decrease, from 94% in 2023 to 83% in 2024.
Black Spot location indicator
The indicator gives a measure of the number of locations on the road network that meet State Black Spot (high risk locations) criteria based on an analysis of crash history. The indicator has a moving target to continue progress in reducing the number of Black Spot locations on the WA road network, with the target being informed by the trend in the number of Black Spot qualifying locations in the previous two years. The indicator uses road crash data from a rolling 5-year period to determine whether the number of locations eligible for State Black Spot funding is increasing or decreasing, proportional to the amount of vehicle travel in the State. While vehicle travel has remained relatively consistent in recent years, total crash numbers have been reducing over time suggesting the reduction in the indicator is due to reduced crash rates, tempered by a lack of increase in traffic volume.
Efficiency indicators
Percentage of contracts completed on time
This indicator represents the percentage of contracts delivered on time in the Road Safety Service. The result achieved was 79% against a target of 90% with 7 of the 34 eligible contracts not delivered within the expected time frame. Of these, two are subject to a request for variation of the contract period and remain under negotiation. One contract was delayed due to inclement weather, another was due to slow progress by the contractor and two others were the subject of a change of design to address issues on site. The remaining contract was late due to resourcing issues. The result is an improvement on the previous year.
Percentage of contracts completed on budget
This indicator represents the percentage of contracts delivered on budget in the Road Safety Service. Of the 34 eligible contracts there was one that is the subject of ongoing negotiations that had not been completed before the end of the financial year. The result is above the target of 90% and an improvement on the previous year.
Efficiency and road system management
Outcome: reliable and efficient movement of people and goods
The Efficiency Service seeks to improve the efficiency, capacity and utilisation of the existing road network whilst the Road System Management Service seeks to optimise real-time management of the network, provide traveller information, asset management planning and to support service delivery throughout the organisation. Together these services contribute to achieving the outcome. We demonstrate this through the following measures:
| 2021 ACTUAL |
2022 ACTUAL |
2023 ACTUAL |
2024 TARGET |
2024 ACTUAL |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % community satisfaction | 92 | 89 | 88 | 90 | 89 | ||
| % Road network permitted for use by heavy vehicles | B Double -27.5m | 98 | 98 | 98 | 97 | 98 | |
| Double road trains -27.5m | 98 | 98 | 98 | 97 | 98 | ||
| Double road trains -36.5m | 82 | 82 | 82 | 80 | 82 | ||
| Triple road trains -53.5m | 45 | 44 | 45 | 45 | 44 | ||
| % network configuration | Roads | 93 | 94 | 94 | 94 | 94 | |
| Bridges | Strength | 94 | 94 | 94 | 94 | 94 | |
| Width | 96 | 96 | 96 | 96 | 96 | ||
| % of contracts completed on time | 72 | 68 | 59 | 90 | 50 | ||
| % of contracts completed on budget | 97 | 91 | 85 | 90 | 90 | ||
| Average $ cost of network management per million vehicle km travelled | 6,821 | 6,701 | 7,128 | 6,700 | 8,115 | ||
Effectiveness indicators
Community satisfaction
This indicator represents how satisfied the community is with Main Roads’ overall performance in the management and operation of the State road network. The rating increased slightly this year nearly hitting the target with 89% of survey respondents rating Main Roads’ performance as okay or better. Midwest-Gascoyne’s performance increased significantly from 76% in 2023 to 90% in 2024 and Metropolitan Regions’ performance remains strong, exceeding the 90% target. However, the performances of South West and Wheatbelt decreased considerably from 95% in 2023 to 80% in 2024 and 73% in 2023 to 55% in 2024 respectively.
Road network permitted for use by heavy freight vehicles
This indicator relates to the efficient movement of goods within Western Australia and the percentage of available State roads accessed by the following types of vehicles B-Doubles, Double road trains and Triple road trains. The use of larger vehicles with heavy loads can increase the overall efficiency of freight transport operations, resulting in lower transport costs. However, to maintain road safety and guard against infrastructure damage, restrictions are placed on some trucks. Because of the relatively high efficiency of these vehicles, the proportion of roads accessible to them is an important factor in the overall efficiency of freight transport in this State. The percentage of road network permitted for use by heavy freight vehicles exceeded annual targets, except for 53.5 meter Triple Road Trains. However, the percentages have remained quite consistent across previous years.
Network configuration – roads
This indicator shows the percentage of travel undertaken on roads meeting specific criteria for seal width, carriageway width and curve rating. The indicator gives a measure of the ability of Main Roads to plan for and maintain roads to desirable standards. In 2023-24, 94% of travel was undertaken on roads meeting the seal width, carriageway width and curve rating criteria, which meets the target of 94% for that period. The results over the four-year period show a consistent trend and demonstrate that we continue to plan and program works to address roads that are below the criteria.
Network configuration – bridges
Like the roads measure, bridges are assessed for strength and width using agreed investigatory criteria. The monitoring of bridge strength and width needs to ensure a safe and efficient road network relating to improved access and transport efficiencies. These measures are indicators for the number of bridges that meet, or are above, the investigatory criteria, recorded as a percentage of the total number of bridges on main roads and highways. Bridges that do not meet the investigatory criteria for strength or width are considered in assessing, scoping and prioritising works, as part of the ten-year bridge strategy. Strength – The results of this indicator show that 94% of the bridges meet the agreed criteria for strength against a target of 94%. Width – In relation to width, 96% of bridges meet the criteria against a target of 96%.
Efficiency indicators
Percentage of contracts completed on time
This indicator represents the percentage of contracts delivered on time in the Road Efficiency Service. The result achieved was 50% against a target of 90% with 5 of the 10 eligible contracts not delivered within the expected time frame. Two of these contracts were delayed due to slow progress by the contractor, one was due to a change in design to address lack of water from bores on site and one was impacted by heavy rainfall delaying completion. The remaining contract remains a work in progress which is reflective of the complexity of this significant multi agency design packages and is the subject of further negotiations. The result is below target.
Percentage of contracts completed on budget
This indicator represents the percentage of contracts that were delivered on budget in the Road Efficiency Service. Only one of the 10 eligible contracts was not on budget and this contract remains a work in progress which is reflective of the complexity of this significant multi agency design packages and the subject of further negotiations. The result for this service at 90% is on target.
Average cost of network management
This indicator measures the financial efficiency of the Road System Management program in terms of cost per million vehicle kilometres travelled to manage the road system. To compare current figures with previous years all figures have been adjusted and reported in current year’s dollars. This year the result of $8,115 per million vehicle kilometres travelled is higher than the target of $6,700. This result reflects the increasing activities associated with implementing new and innovative information technology and communication solutions to address improving the efficient operation of the road network whilst extensive works are underway. There has also been an increase in project planning and development not factored in when initially developing the target. The outcome is higher than previous year’s results when adjusted applying the Gross State Product Price Index.
State development
Outcome: facilitating economic and regional development
This service expands the road network in accordance with State and Commonwealth transport and land use strategies that will facilitate the economic and regional development of the State. We demonstrate this through the following measures:
| 2021 ACTUAL |
2022 ACTUAL |
2023 ACTUAL |
2024 TARGET |
2024 ACTUAL |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average return on construction expenditure | 3.17 | 2.91 | 2.31 | 1.60 | 1.73 |
| % of contracts completed on time | 83 | 100 | 100 | 90 | 75 |
| % of contracts completed on budget | 100 | 100 | 100 | 90 | 100 |
Effectiveness indicators
Return on construction expenditure
New roads and bridge construction adds to the capacity of the road network. Return on Construction Expenditure is based on Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) estimates of a set of projects undertaken each year. It indicates the extent to which road and bridge construction expenditure will deliver future economic benefits to the community. This indicator represents the expenditure weighted BCR for the State Development Service and Road Efficiency Service for which a BCR has been calculated. The result exceeds the target with an expenditure weighted average result of 1.73 against the target of 1.60.
Efficiency indicators
Percentage of contracts completed on time
This indicator represents the percentage of contracts delivered on time in the State Development Service. Of the four contracts one was not completed on time due to slow progress by the contractor as they underwent a restructure during the delivery period. The result for this service is 75% which is below the target of 90%.
Percentage of contracts completed on budget
This indicator represents the percentage of contracts delivered on budget in the State Development Service. There are no contracts over budget for this Service therefore the result achieved was 100% which is above the target of 90%.
Road maintenance
Outcome: providing a well maintained road network
This service seeks to maintain the existing road and bridge network by maximising asset life and minimising whole of life costs. We demonstrate this through the following measures:
| 2021 ACTUAL |
2022 ACTUAL |
2023 ACTUAL |
2024 TARGET |
2024 ACTUAL |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % smooth travel exposure | 98 | n/a | 98 | n/a | n/a |
| % community satisfaction road maintenance | 89 | 85 | 82 | 90 | 85 |
| % preventative maintenance indicator | 87 | 86 | 89 | 85 | 90 |
| Average $ cost of network maintenance per lane kilometre of road network | 8,512 | 8,373 | 10,232 | 8,400 | 9,892 |
Effectiveness indicators
Smooth travel exposure
This indicator is based on the percentage of travel undertaken on the State road network meeting specific roughness criteria. However, given that we only complete a survey of the network once every two years this year is a non-reporting period. The next result will be available and reported as at 30 June 2025.
Community satisfaction of road maintenance
This indicator represents how satisfied the community is with Main Roads’ overall performance in the maintenance of the State road network. 85% of survey participants rate our performance as excellent, okay or better. Metro increased by 4% hitting a performance rating of 90% and Great Southern significantly increased by 20% achieving 71%. However, Wheatbelt experienced a decrease from 55% in 2023 to 41% in 2024.
Preventative maintenance indicator
The Preventative Maintenance Indicator provides a measure of the proportion of sealed state road network that has a surfacing age younger than its optimal target age. The indicator provides a measure of proactive maintenance undertaken on the network on an annual basis, sections of the network with a surfacing age younger than the target age are classified as ‘Good’. This year the analysis shows that 90% of the network is ‘Good’, which exceeds the target of 85%. The 2023-24 result exceeds the established target for the fourth consecutive year.
Efficiency indicators
Average cost of network maintenance per lane kilometre of road network
This indicator identifies the financial efficiency of road and roadside maintenance works by showing the cost per lane kilometre to maintain acceptable travel conditions on the State roads. In determining the cost basis expenditure on structures and infrastructure depreciation has been excluded. To compare current figures with previous years all figures have been adjusted and reported in terms of current year’s dollars which can influence the trend result. This year’s result shows a variance against the target with the result being greater than estimated reflecting a higher level of natural disaster works completed due to numerous flooding events coupled with changes to the programming of works as maintenance services are delivered using inhouse resources. The inclusion of Reseal, Rehabilitation and Natural disasters makes this KPI sensitive to additional budget being made available to address flood damage and maintenance backlog.
Community access
Outcome: improving community access and roadside amenity
This service seeks to provide infrastructure that will increase personal mobility and community access. We demonstrate this through the following measures:
| 2021 ACTUAL |
2022 ACTUAL |
2023 ACTUAL |
2024 TARGET |
2024 ACTUAL |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of the year that 100% of the Main Roads’ State road network is available | 84 | 87 | 75 | 95 | 83 |
| % Community satisfaction with cycleways and pedestrian facilities | 89 | 88 | 86 | 90 | 88 |
| % of contracts completed on time | 100 | 46 | 58 | 90 | 50 |
| % of contracts completed on budget | 100 | 85 | 83 | 90 | 88 |
Effectiveness indicators
Unplanned road closure on the state road network
Generally 100% of Main Roads Road sealed network is available to all road users; however, there are unplanned road closures due to a number of reasons including flooding, cyclones, bushfires and major road crashes, which may vary in duration. The availability of the sealed road network is measured as a percentage of calendar days that the whole network is available to the road user. Closure is determined by measuring the number of whole days (24 hours commencing from the time the road is closed) that any section of the sealed road network in Western Australia is closed. This year the road network was available 83% of the year, which is below the target of 95%. This low result is attributed to several heavy rainfall events across the State including closures at the WA/NT border in January 2024 and across the Pilbara Region during March. Goldfields Esperance Region was also impacted by both flooding and bushfire events resulting in the closure of Eyre Highway on several occasions. In the Mid West -Gascoyne region bushfires in November resulted in the Minilya- Exmouth road also being closed for several days.
Community satisfaction with cycleways and pedestrian facilities
This indicator represents how satisfied the community is with Main Roads’ performance in the construction, maintenance and management of cycleways and pedestrian facilities. 88% of survey participants rated our performance as excellent, okay or better, which is a slight increase by 2% compared to last year. The most significant change was in the Goldfields Esperance region which saw an increase from 63% to 79%.
Efficiency indicators
Percentage of contracts completed on time
This indicator represents the percentage of contracts delivered on time in the Community Access Service. Of the 8 eligible contracts four were late, with one being due to inclement weather, two subject to changes in design and one because of the unavailability of subcontractors. The result for this service at 50% is below the target.
Percentage of contracts completed on budget
This indicator represents the percentage of contracts delivered on budget in the Community Access Service. Of the eight eligible contracts four were late, with one being due to inclement weather, two subject to changes in design and one because of the unavailability of subcontractors. The result for this service at 50% is below the target.
