Ensuring Reliable and Efficient Movement of People and Goods
Aim of the program
Optimise real-time traffic management of the network, provide traveller information, improve asset management planning and support service delivery.
About the program
This program of activities manages and operates the road network, the Road Network Operations Centre, road safety support, Heavy Vehicle Services, Network Operations and Planning and Technical Services.
Target 90%
Community satisfaction with Main Roads is within target
Target 97%
Network available for use by B-Double - 27.5 metre met target and continues to show strong performance
Target 94%
Percentage of bridges reaching standard strength criteria met target
*For more detailed information on our Key Performance Indicators and targets see Performance Measures
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Program expenditure $ million | 426 | 438 | 192 |
Works planned for the next financial year include:
- Planning and development of emerging priorities as part of Transforming Perth's Freeways Strategic Program
- Finalise the development of a new Intelligent Transport Systems Masterplan 2022-30
- Further development of the Real Time Operating Platform to incorporate user requirements
- Expand the trials for selected vehicle priority at traffic signals
- Launch Traffic WA Broadcasting Application
- Development of the LiDAR solution - involving a 3D portal for road network asset inspection, feature extraction and 3D viewing
- Develop online learning modules for Industry i.e. Heavy Vehicles 101
- As part of the HVS Digital Services Project deploy Traffic Escort Scheduling Solution
- Deploy the Heavy Vehicle Monitoring System as part of the NCIS Program.
Some of these are already underway. Visit the Projects and Initiatives section of our website to find out more.
Network Operations
Traffic management ensuring balanced outcomes
We provide leadership and specialist advice on traffic engineering, procedures and practices for all traffic signs, pavement markings, traffic signals, and speed zoning on all public roads in Western Australia. Through collaborative relationships we work to improve the safety of vulnerable road users, while developing policies, and guidelines to support our everyday operations. This is achieved in many ways and a few examples include:
- Working on the Children's Crossings and Road Safety Committee approving 26 Children's Crossing applications of which 13 were installed and warden operated, with a further 71 warranted Children's Crossings recommended for future upgrades.
- Following a review of Perth Metropolitan destination maps, we undertook a major upgrade of various directional signs on both local and state roads. This work resulted in Baldivis now being recognised as a 'destination', with supporting signage installed.
- During the year we completed 112 speed limit reviews which resulted in 80 changes to speed limits statewide (44 metro and 36 regional) and resulted in 15 Electronic Speed Limit Sign implementation requests including signs for four new schools.
- Introducing touchless sensors at selected pedestrian push-buttons to enable contactless functionality. We are trialling this at 50 traffic signal locations around Perth.
Improving Situational Awareness
To keep up with our growing population and future demands on WA's road network, we are developing a Real-Time Operating Platform (RTOP). Upon completion, this Intelligent Transport System will be a world-class tool that will integrate our systems into one intuitive interface, providing our operators with sophisticated and real-time data and insights to streamline our capability and improve network efficiency, resulting in better journeys for our customers that are safer and more reliable.
Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) Graduate Program
In January, we established the ITS Graduate Program, a first of its kind in WA. The scheme is open to enthusiastic and invested students who are interested in a career in Network Operations. This program gives graduates the opportunity to be involved in the design and implementation of state-of-the-art technology and use of data to improve decision making in real-time, road network safety, efficiency, environmental performance, and the journey for users of Perth's road network.
The ITS Graduate program has been designed to ensure differing skill sets are trained in the diverse requirements of ITS implementation. Our graduates come from many disciplines including Civil Engineering, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Computer Science or Computer Engineering and Data Science or Data Engineering. Our three-year rotational program ensures that Graduates are trained in all aspects of the business ensuring that Western Australia leads the way in the development and deployment of transport systems and infrastructure.
Safety Camera Trials
Early this year we commenced a 12-month Safety Camera Trial to monitor compliance with new variable speed limits and lane closures displayed on overhead electronic signs on the Smart Freeway - Kwinana Freeway Northbound. The trial is an Australian first for monitoring compliance with Red X closed lanes. On completion a report will be compiled documenting the findings which will be used to inform what, if any, additional measures need to be considered to improve road safety.
Real-Time Operations and Incident Management
To ensure teams were available to respond and were not impacted by COVID-19 Dual Operations Centres were successfully established, further ensuring continued resilience to meet the network demands. Over the past year we managed more than 19,000 incidents across the metropolitan road network where we saw a:
- nine per cent rise in detected crashes
- 55 per cent increase in breakdowns managed
- doubling of the use of Smart Freeway Emergency Stopping Bays
- 60 per cent increase of vehicles removed from our road network
- seven per cent reduction in clearway removals
- 13 per cent reduction in RAC incident attendance
- 20 per cent rise in traffic broadcast travel information.
Heavy Vehicle Service
We are the heavy vehicle regulator for Western Australia and are responsible for improving heavy vehicle safety, productivity and the equity of services across the transport industry through compliance, innovation and road asset sustainability.
We facilitate and regulate the movement of Restricted Access Vehicles (RAVs) across the state, provide a onestop shop for permits and traffic escort services for oversize, over mass movements, administer the Heavy Vehicle Pilot licencing scheme, the WA Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme, the training and certification of certified accreditation auditors, and work with industry groups and other government agencies at a state and national level.
We work with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator to allow the seamless movement of RAVs between Western Australia and other states. As show below we are continuing to see an increase in the number of permits issued reaching a new high of 36,771.
Total Number of Permits Issued
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Trip Permits | 13,104 | 13,706 | 12,795 |
| Period Permits | 18,500 | 18,951 | 21,023 |
| Special Purpose Vehicle Permits | 2,696 | 2,559 | 2,953 |
| Total | 34,300 | 35,216 | 36,771 |
Traffic Escort Scheduling Solution Project
The 'Improving HVS Digital Services (IHDS) Project', which includes replacing and improving our internal and external facing systems, will transform the way we do business with our stakeholders and the Heavy Vehicle Industry. As part of the IDHS project and in recognition of the consistent increase in demand for Traffic Escort Services, we brought forward the development and deployment of the Traffic Escort Scheduling Solution module. We have identified a group of customers, who will assist us in mapping and testing of the functionality and features they want to see in the customer interface.
Engaging with Our Stakeholders and the Heavy Vehicle Industry
Engagement with the heavy vehicle industry has always been important to us and this year despite COVID-19 restrictions we've managed to maintain strong stakeholder engagement through:
- WA Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme Certified Auditor Online Information Sessions
- WA Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Industry Online Information Sessions
- Online and in-person presentations with our Structures Engineering Branch
- Utilising My Say Transport platform to create an auditor hub and so industry could provide feedback on proposed operating condition changes
- Establishing the Heavy Vehicle Pilot Licence Reference Group to assist in the Pilot Licence Scheme Review
- Developing our customer persona and reviewing our communication channels
- State-wide industry workshop and information sessions
- Seeking industry input on the development of accreditation documentation, new permit products, proposed policy changes
- Seeking industry nominees to participate in different working groups.
WA Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme Review
The review seeks to identify potential improvements to reflect the needs of the WA environment and will consider key areas of the scheme including:
- Training and Competency Assessment
- The Pilot Code of Conduct, the Introduction of Standards for Audits
- Licensing.
In partnership with the transport industry and other key stakeholders in early 2022 we established a reference group to participate in the considerations arising from the review of the scheme.
The reference group is made up of industry, WA licenced heavy vehicle pilots, training providers and other state government agencies.
Remote Areas Consultative Group
The Remote Areas Consultative Group is made up of transport, heavy vehicle industry, research bodies and road agency representatives from Western Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) and the Commonwealth. The purpose of the group is to act as an advisory body to provide a remote areas perspective on proposed and existing transport reforms and meets bi-annually.
The management and administration of the RACG is shared with member state jurisdictions chairing and hosting for a two-year term. Over the last two years, as chair of the RACG we have overseen the discussion of topics including the ongoing effects of COVID-19 on the industry, the national truck driver shortage, anticipated impacts of the next emissions standard, heavy vehicle driver training and skills for drivers who are new to the industry and the range of road works and infrastructure projects arising from the economic stimulus. 2022 will see the end of our two-year term and hosting duties will transition to Queensland.
Planning and Technical Services
Heritage Management Plan for Garrett Road Bridge
We are responsible for the inspection and maintenance of 1,200 aging timber bridges with some, including Garratt Road Bridge, being heritage listed. Timber bridges can have community, aesthetic, and historical values in addition to those of durability and functionality. Working on timber bridges requires assessment, consideration, and minimisation of environmental and heritage impacts. A detailed inspection of the south bound Garrett Road bridge identified deterioration in the bridge that required maintenance to ensure the ongoing safety of the public.
We worked closely with the Department of Planning and Heritage, and the Heritage Council of Western Australia to develop an Asset Management and Heritage Conservation Plan for the Garrett Road Bridge. The plan guides Main Roads in the maintenance of this heritage listed asset.
Its primary objective is to safely and, in a cost-effective manner, maintain the level of service expected by stakeholders and communities, as well as to prolong the life of the Garratt Road Bridge while preserving its heritage value.
Data and Research, Driving Trials for the Regional Road Safety Program
Maintaining and improving the state road network is a complex task which requires the collection and analysis of a vast array of data. Analysed data informs decisions about the road network, including investment prioritisation in programs such as the multi-year Regional Road Safety Program. During 2022, the Regional Road Safety Program saw the installation of Audible Tactile Edge Lines and sealed shoulders on road pavement using crash data to identify lengths of road that presented the greatest level of risk to drivers. Almost 3,600 kilometres of road were treated in the past twelve months and these treatments will help reduce the frequency of death and serious injury crashes on the treated roads for many years to come.
Further, research is conducted to evaluate the extent to which new and emerging technologies are suitable for the network and will improve road safety. For instance, in the Pilbara region, the hot ambient temperatures combined with the substantial roadtrain traffic loads have a detrimental impact on the longevity of the conventional plastic raised Audible Tactile Edge Lines system. A trial of a milled-in solution was developed and tailored to the North-West of the state, with approximately 400 kilometres of pavement milling works undertaken on Great Northern Highway. The increased effective longevity of the system represented a saving over $3 million to provide the same service from the conventional Audible Tactile Edge Lines treatment on this road section alone.
This means greater capacity of saving lives and reducing serious injuries in the region in the future and a better outcome for the community.
