Roads - articles and discussion

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Rego plate errors take their toll

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Airport Link traffic at two-thirds of forecast rate during first full month of operation

[somebody]

Couriermail --> Airport Link traffic at two-thirds of forecast rate during first full month of operation

Wasn't the forecast for after the tolling started?  Otherwise, it wouldn't be nearly as bad as expected.

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Airport Link traffic increasing

Airport Link traffic increasing
September 4, 2012 - 5:29AM Tony Moore

Daily traffic using the Airport Link tunnel from Bowen Hills to Toombul has grown by 5 per cent since it opened, but its still more than 50,000 vehicles a day below forecasted estimates.

The tunnel has had an average of 81,470 vehicles a day since it opened in the last week of July.

Figures released by tunnel operator Brisconnections show the average number of vehicles has increased from 77,320 vehicles per day in late July to 81,470 per day over the month of August.

An average of 85,862 vehicles used the tunnel network each day between Monday and Friday during Airport Link's first month of traffic in August.

The figure is well short of the 135,000 vehicles per day that Airport Link's traffic forecaster, Arup, predicted would use the tunnel one month after opening.

In July, Brisbane-based traffic consultants Veitch Lister Consulting predicted Airport Link would grow to about 120,000 vehicles per weekday after three months, but drop to 85,000 once the toll was implemented.

Airport Link will introduce tolling on October 17.

Brisconnections chief executive Ray Wilson said he was happy with the traffic growth.

"What these latest figures indicate is motorists are beginning to appreciate the real benefits of Airport Link for their week-day commute," Dr Wilson said.

"In late August we marked the beginning of our two-month extra free travel for account holders with any Australian toll road.

"We are still receiving very positive feedback from a wide range of motorists on the time savings achieved."

The traffic data shows that 43 per cent of traffic drove between Bowen Hills and Kedron (34,764 vehicles average); while a further 40 per cent drove between Bowen Hills and Toombul (32,906 average) over August.

Only 17 per cent of the traffic (13,799 average) drove between Kedron and Toombul.

Brisconnections is desperate to avoid the experience of Brisbane's first toll tunnel, the Clem7, and has prepared an 18-month period of reduced tolls to encourage motorists.

While motorists flocked to enjoy the Clem7 toll tunnel while it was toll-free in early 2010, traffic numbers sank when the toll was first introduced.

Before the tolls were put in place, about 59,000 vehicles a day used the Clem7 tunnel, however after the tolls were introduced, traffic numbers sank to around 20,000 a day.

After the free toll period ends, Brisconnections will provide discounted tolls until October 2013.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/airport-link-traffic-increasing-20120903-25adz.html

[ozbob]

In trouble already.

[#Metro]

DUD. Emperor has no clothes!

Same mistake TWICE!!

[Jonno]

How do you create a small Super Fund?  Take a large Super Fund and Invest in a Road Tunnel!!!

[colinw]

Sigh. Airport Sink + Clem7 already wasted more than a CRR's worth of money (or the first couple of lines of the Brisbane Metro).

[somebody]

Sigh. Airport Sink + Clem7 already wasted more than a CRR's worth of money (or the first couple of lines of the Brisbane Metro).

I thought they were just under $2bn each?

[SurfRail]

Closer to $3bn for Clem7 and $5bn for AirportLink (including the busway works admittedly).

[Jonno]

Closer to $3bn for Clem7 and $5bn for AirportLink (including the busway works admittedly).

With no transport benefit.

[somebody]

Ouch!  $4.8bn for Airport Link: http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=68992

[HappyTrainGuy]

One of the reasons why the airport link isn't that popular is because the time savings aren't that great for the price to every day to day commuters. Its alot faster to Roma Street via the ICB but marginal to Windsor off peak. It's alot quicker for northside to southside commutes but paying 2 tolls (clem7 toll and the airport link toll) really makes that person think twice about using it. The problem they are about to find themselves in is the same problem the clem 7 had. Lower the toll and hope to get more cars through or jack up the price with fewer cars through but making more money than the first option (when they jacked up the price of the clem7 toll they lost about 3,000 trips being made but they made something like an extra $10,000 a day from it).

[Jonno]

One of the reasons why the airport link isn't that popular is because the time savings aren't that great for the price to every day to day commuters. Its alot faster to Roma Street via the ICB but marginal to Windsor off peak. It's alot quicker for northside to southside commutes but paying 2 tolls (clem7 toll and the airport link toll) really makes that person think twice about using it. The problem they are about to find themselves in is the same problem the clem 7 had. Lower the toll and hope to get more cars through or jack up the price with fewer cars through but making more money than the first option (when they jacked up the price of the clem7 toll they lost about 3,000 trips being made but they made something like an extra $10,000 a day from it).

Still going to go broke either way.  Road Revloution indeed.  Time to rise up against any more freeway projects

[SurfRail]

Ouch!  $4.8bn for Airport Link: http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=68992

So a tad over $4bn for the road, rest for the Northern Busway segment.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Clem7 boosted by Airport Link

[WTN]

Still falls well short of the preposterous figure of 135,000 cars a day originally predicted, or probably even the Riverside Expressway (100,000+ on a weekday).

[ozbob]

Bruce Highway Statement

Bruce Highway boost in transport Budget

[ozbob]

More lessons from NSW ...

Sydney Morning Herald --> Compensation court fight shines a light on toll road pitfalls

SYDNEY'S last big toll road project, the Lane Cove Tunnel, has become a legal morass for some big super funds, investment banks and transport consultancies as a large investor in the infrastructure chases compensation.

The troubles are a cautionary tale on the eve of the release on Wednesday of the latest plan from the NSW government's adviser, Infrastructure NSW, for more toll roads to criss-cross Sydney.

The Lane Cove Tunnel, finished in 2007, went into receivership at the start of 2010, the victim of wildly optimistic traffic forecasts and an inability to pay its debts ...

... Lawyers expect the litigation to continue for years. With similar litigation running in Brisbane, a judge might be called on to set new standards for traffic forecasting. The transport industry says a new financial model is needed for toll roads ...

[SurfRail]

It doesn't matter.  Nobody is going to be stupid enough to put money into one of these Ponzi schemes again.

[somebody]

It doesn't matter.  Nobody is going to be stupid enough to put money into one of these Ponzi schemes again.

One would hope so, but how long has it looked this way?  Some have worked OK AFAIK, e.g. Sydney M2, Melbourne's Citylink.

[SurfRail]

It doesn't matter.  Nobody is going to be stupid enough to put money into one of these Ponzi schemes again.

One would hope so, but how long has it looked this way?  Some have worked OK AFAIK, e.g. Sydney M2, Melbourne's Citylink.

CityLink fills an identifiable need, and the M2 is a pretty captive market for the Hills.  Both are a lot more analogous to the South-East Freeway.

The appropriate comparisons are LCT, CCT, EastLink etc.

[Gazza]

I'm suprised Eastlink did so poorly.

To me it seems anything involving a tunnel (Which does include eastlink lol come to think of it) seems to do really poorly because I think the high construction cost pushes tolls too high.

[Jonno]

It does not matter whether these tunnel are financially successful or not because in the end the investment sunk into these roads does not fix a single transport problem and in fact just create bigger problems.  Useless unsustainable infrastructure!

[somebody]

I'm suprised Eastlink did so poorly.

To me it seems anything involving a tunnel (Which does include eastlink lol come to think of it) seems to do really poorly because I think the high construction cost pushes tolls too high.

Technically, the M2 in Sydney has a short tunnel at Epping.  A bit under 1km at a very rough guess.  However, it is a well used road.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Traffic for Brisbane's Airport Link still well below forecast

BRISBANE'S Airport Link toll road carried an average of 74,567 vehicles a day in September - still way below its prospectus traffic forecasts.

Despite the fact many motorists are still able to access the facility for free - with discounted tolls for toll account holders not due to kick in for another two weeks - the traffic figures remained way below the forecast, published by Brisconnections ahead of its stock exchange float.

The forecasts then envisaged some 135,000 vehicles a day using the road, a month after its opening.

September week day traffic was slightly better than the overall average, with 82,816 vehicles a day using the road. But this was down slightly from the week day average in August of 85,862 ...

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Online poll finds motorists reject Airport Link deals to lure them onto toll road

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Southeast Queensland mayors lobby politicians to fix traffic snarls

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Free ride almost over on Airport Link

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Despised T2 lanes of Pacific Motorway to be scrapped at cost of $5 million

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

18th October 2012

Permanent grid lock looms ...

Greetings,

The latest moves to create more cars and congestion further stamps the Queensland Government as a major transport failure.

Despised T2 lanes of Pacific Motorway to be scrapped at cost of $5 million  -->
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/despised-t2-lanes-of-pacific-motorway-to-be-scrapped-at-cost-of-5-million/story-e6freon6-1226498119855

Around the world most cities have long realised that enabling more cars just leads to worsening and dangerous congestion at great cost.  A lesson that seems to be beyond the comprehension of the present government.

Enjoy the gridlock!

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson

Motorway investment improves capacity

Thursday, October 18, 2012

The Newman Government will increase general traffic capacity by 50 per cent on one of the busiest sections of the Pacific Motorway with two additional lanes to be added by mid-2013.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Scott Emerson said the under-utilised T2 lanes on the stretch of road between Exit 11 to Exit 16 will be removed to address congestion concerns on the motorway.

"By converting T2 lanes into general traffic lanes, it also provides the extra space to add an additional lane in each direction for just $5 million.

"That compares with an estimated cost of $100 million to build the extra lanes if the T2 lanes were retained.

"This cost-effective solution to reduce congestion and boost capacity is another example of the Newman Government getting value for money by delivering better infrastructure and better planning and will be in place by October 2013."

Mr Emerson said despite the T2 lanes being in place for more than a decade, traffic surveys showed that peak periods were still only carrying as little as a third of the number of cars compared to the general lanes.

"Instead of simply building an additional lane in each direction, this design means we make better use of the space currently taken up by a single restriction lane by converting the T2 lane into two general traffic lanes," he said.

"We have come up with a simple, smart and cost-effective solution that addresses capacity issues by investing in existing infrastructure without spending exorbitant amounts of taxpayer money that would have happened under Labor."

The Transit lanes run between Exit 11 Klumpp Road Interchange, and Exit 16 near the Gateway Motorway merge.

Member for Yeerongpilly Carl Judge, Member for Sunnybank Mark Stewart, Member for Mansfield Ian Walker and Member for Stretton Freya Ostapovitch all welcomed the extension of the motorway.

"The Pacific Motorway during peak time looks like a car park, so this announcement will mean greater capacity for motorists travelling on this stretch," they said.

"Removing the T2 lanes and delivering new infrastructure will maximise the use of the highway and ensure traffic flows more freely.

"This is another sensible and cost-effective solution by LNP that will see improvements for anyone travelling on the motorway."

[ENDS] 18 October 2012

=======================

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson

Gold Coast T2 to go

Thursday, October 18, 2012

It will be a smoother journey for people driving along the Gold Coast Highway through Southport and Labrador, with T2 transit lanes set to be removed mid-2013.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson and Member for Broadwater Verity Barton said $100,000 would be spent to remove the unpopular transit lanes, improving capacity.

"Motorists along the Gold Coast Highway were unhappy when these transit lanes were installed and as a result they have been under-utilised," Mr Emerson said.

"The out-of-touch Labor Government failed to listen to what people actually wanted, so the 'car-pool' concept that drives the reason for having transit lanes has been a flop."

Figures from a traffic survey showed fewer than 30 per cent of weekday vehicles were eligible to use the T2 lane in the PM peak and fewer than 21 per cent were eligible in the AM peak.

"The Member for Broadwater Verity Barton has made strong representations to me about these concerns and I agree the best outcome for Gold Coast motorists is to return all lanes on the highway to general use as soon as possible," he said

"I understand these concerns are also supported by Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate."

Ms Barton said removing the T2 lanes would be welcomed by the local community.

"I am pleased the Minister has been able to deliver such a simple but cost-effective solution that will see motorists get the maximum benefit from the Gold Coast Highway," Ms Barton said.

"It really shows how out-of-touch the Labor Government was, given they introduced these T2 lanes with very little community support.

"Removing the transit lanes will allow traffic to flow more freely and improve the congestion which often occurs on this stretch."

This move comes at the same time as the announcement of the removal of T2 lanes on the Pacific Motorway stretch from Klumpp Road Interchange to Exit 16 near the Gateway Motorway merge.

The Newman Government is committed to delivering better infrastructure and better planning without the excessive price tag.

T2 transit lanes were originally installed by the previous Labor Government in stages as part of the Gold Coast Highway upgrade in 2010 and 2011.

[ENDS] 18 October 2012

[ozbob]

Silver lining here, congestion and gridlock will rapidly worsen which means this will help to ultimately accelerate the implementation of congestion tolling ... is my bet ...

[#Metro]

Be careful with the interpretation. We should ask for the raw data or their analysis to be publicly released as part of "open data" initiative.

This is why I say this: EVEN IF there are fewer people using the lanes, that alone is not sufficient reason to close the lanes. A proper judgement would also consider the benefit that those fewer people would achieve in peak hour.

Instead of reasoning like  this (made up numbers):

Value of lane = 30 % of 2000 pphd = 600 people use the lane in peak hour, 600 is less than 2000 (full lanes) a proper assessment would WEIGHT the time savings made by those 600 people (using the time saved x value of time), calculate the amount of time saved and compare that to a situation where the lane was a general lane.

So a proper calculation would look more like this:

30% x 2000 pphd x time saved x value of time (calculate value of time saved and sum over all users)
versus
(increase in pphd over 600 without T2 lane) x time saved under new scenario x value of time

It is highly likely that the new lanes will be just as slow as the old ones, and also a nice natural experiment to see if removal of the lanes (a) reduces congestion (doubt it) for more than 6 months after downgrading and (b) increases the number of people driving. It would also be good to monitor the SE busway to see if there is a concominant drop in passenger numbers as well.

[Jonno]

Our Premier stead fastly believes he can be the first leader in the world to out build congestion. He believed it as mayor He believes it as Premier.  He will not listern to fact, reality or reason.  Its Roads or Nothing. 

His Transport Plans will look to redirect all finding to road capacity where possible.  The Toowong South Briabane Tunnel wil be announced soon.

[Cam]

Increasing the number of lanes may initially reduce the length of the queue through Upper Mount Gravatt but the southbound bottleneck remains before the Gateway merge at Eight Mile Plains where there are still only 2 lanes southbound. The only benefit I see is for southbound traffic is for vehicles taking exit 11 for Klump & Mains Roads.

A different location but similar problem:
Duplicating the Centenary Highway south of the Logan Motorway may initially benefit those from the Springfield area taking the Logan Motorway. However, much of the inbound traffic stills needs to merge with the Ipswich Motorway at the bottleneck in Darra where there are only 2 lanes. The rest of the traffic travels alongs the already congested Centenary Highway between Darra & Toowong. Duplicating the Centenary Highway south of the Logan Motorway will lead to a higher rate of vehicles travelling north along the Centenary Highway & will increase the congestion at the bottlenecks further inbound.

[SurfRail]

The UMG one I am really not fussed about.  It actually wasn't working - installed in a non-congested stretch of the motorway, located in the median lanes making it more difficult to use, busway immediately adjacent to it so no scheduled bus services to take advantage of it.

The Gold Coast removals are worse, but as this was an election promise there is no sense in arguing against it from anything other than a "bad policy idea" position.  Yay for democracy.

Best of luck to any passengers on the 10, 14, 15, 703, 706, 715 or TX2 who will now be fighting for road space with single occupant vehicles.  At least there is a light rail corridor going in basically a few doors down.

I think the corridors with actual bus lanes are safe (Gold Coast Highway Broadbeach to Miami, Nerang-Broadbeach Road).

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson

New technology a potential life saver

Saturday, October 20, 2012

The Newman Government has announced a trial of new technology aimed at saving lives, by giving ambulance and fire vehicles a clear run of green traffic lights on route to an emergency.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Scott Emerson and Minister for Police and Community Safety Jack Dempsey said the Emergency Vehicle Priority (EVP) system trial is expected to take place at Southport from mid-November.

"As an ambulance or fire engine approach a set of traffic lights with its lights and siren going, the EVP system detects the vehicle and changes the traffic light to green," Mr Emerson said.

"If the vehicle changes course, the EVP system will adjust and clear the way on the new route.

"Every second matters in an emergency, and the precious extra minutes this will give paramedics and firefighters could save many lives."

Mr Dempsey said a smaller EVP trial took place in Bundaberg in 2008 and showed emergency response time savings of up to 20 per cent.

"This new technology will help manage Queensland's growing traffic congestion so officers and paramedics can respond to emergencies in the quickest possible time," Mr Dempsey said.

"We want to be sure the emergency support systems used in Queensland are the best and safest available with results of the trial to be assessed next year."

In the first six months of 2012 Queensland Ambulance Service provided 19,088 Code 1 responses on the Gold Coast, while Queensland Fire and Rescue Service responded to 3,114 incidents.

"This is a timely reminder to the community that if you see an emergency service vehicle coming behind you with its lights flashing and sirens on, move to the left and give way if it is safe to do so," Mr Dempsey said.

"If you cannot safely do so, then slow down or stop and let the emergency vehicle overtake you."

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the council was working with the State Government to implement the system and was installing the technology on council-owned traffic signals in Southport.

"The introduction of the trial will be accompanied by a public education campaign about the changes for Gold Coast pedestrians, motorists, school children and tourists," Cr Tate said.

The active involvement of Fire, Ambulance and Police Services with Transport and Main Roads has been a contributing factor in the progress of this exciting initiative.

The trial is a cooperative venture between the State Government, Emergency Services, Transport and Main Roads and Queensland Police and along with the Gold Coast City Council.

[ENDS] 20 October 2012

[ozbob]

JOINT STATEMENT
Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning
The Honourable Jeff Seeney
Minister for Transport and Main Roads

The Honourable Scott Emerson
Minister for Local Government

The Honourable David Crisafulli
Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Feds must step up for Bruce fix

The Newman Government's Bruce Highway Crisis Management Group will tackle Canberra with a plan for a safer, more reliable and flood-immune Bruce Highway, and a call for the Federal Government to follow the lead and take immediate action.

Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney joined Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson and Local Government Minister David Crisafulli to unveil the Bruce Highway Crisis Action Plan, titled Out of the Crisis, in Townsville today.

"The Bruce Highway is Queensland's 1677km backbone, playing a significant role in building a four-pillar economy by moving people and freight across the state," Mr Seeney said.

"This plan includes projects already committed over the next 10 years under base funding arrangements, plus additional projects that are needed to repair, improve and flood-proof the Bruce.

"The Newman Government will honour its election commitment and contribute an additional $1 billion over the next 10 years, if the Federal Government also brings forward its funding.

"This is a federal road that has been ignored by the Federal Government, but it's time Prime Minister Julia Gillard and her Cabinet stopped short-changing Queenslanders.

"The Federal Government must step up and fund at least 86 per cent of the additional projects for their road, as it has in the past."

Mr Emerson said Out of the Crisis identifies more than 50 capacity and flood-mitigation projects and hundreds of kilometres of safety treatments to be delivered during the next 10 years.

"If the Federal Government commits to its usual funding split, Queenslanders can expect to see an additional $500-$600 million a year towards significant improvements to the Bruce," Mr Emerson said.

"These include wider centre lines, audible edge lines, more overtaking lanes, intersection upgrades and upgrades to flood-prone areas.

"Labor left the Bruce Highway in a crisis, with the RACQ predicting between 300 and 400 road deaths occurring in the next 10 years if we don't take action.

"This plan will provide better infrastructure and better planning, and pinpoints how, where and when funding is required.

"We are ready to start work on some of these additional safety measures as soon as funding has been secured."

Mr Crisafulli said Out of the Crisis would also deliver benefits for regional communities and the Queensland economy.

"Projects identified will contribute to strong state and regional economic growth and deliver a transport system that better connects Queenslanders," Mr Crisafulli said.

"They will also deliver a pipeline of direct and indirect employment opportunities to regional Queensland during the next 10 years."

[ENDS] 24 October 2012

[Stillwater]

Essentially, the report is one long media release.  The published document contains none of the data relied upon to justify the works listed.  No specific information is given concerning the gains to be made in terms of vehicles carried, volume of freight moved and reductions in road trauma.

http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/~/media/About%20us/Corporate%20information/Publications/BruceHighwayActionPlan.pdf

The report finishes with these words:

The benefit is demonstrated with clear objectives.
The plan includes "shovel ready" projects.
The Bruce Highway must be fixed.
The investment must be provided.

These words could be said about the North Coast Line duplication:

The benefit is demonstrated with clear objectives (Caboolture-Nambour duplication EIS)
The plan includes "shovel ready" projects (Beerburrum to Landsborough set to go)
The NCL must be fixed (to meet inter-regional freight movements and demand)
The investment MUST be provided.

Will the state government invest in the NCL upgrade, given that every bit of advice to government says it is warranted?  No.

So why does it expect to be treated any differently when seeking federal money for the Bruce Highway upgrade, particularly when its "Out of Crisis" report makes no comparison of the relative worth of investment in road and/or rail along Queensland's eastern seaboard?