Perth’s second Smart Freeway to be switched on in time for Christmas holidays
Four years after Perth’s first Smart Freeway launched in 2020, the Smart Freeway Mitchell Southbound will be formally switched on just in time for the Christmas holiday period, on Sunday 22 December.
Made up of over 1,400 pieces of technology, large amounts of data will respond to traffic conditions in real time to enhance traffic flow and safety.
That technology includes on-ramp signals, CCTV cameras, incident detection sensors, digital signs and overhead gantries.
It’s expected the upgrades will shave seven minutes off the morning peak-hour commute, small but welcome relief for anyone making their way into the city between the hours of 7-9am during the week.
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“Harnessing traffic data and responding to conditions in real time is a proven way of improving people’s journeys on the freeway,” said WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti. “Depending on where they’re travelling from, drivers can expect to save up to seven minutes during morning peak hour, which ultimately means a safer journey and less time spent in gridlock.”
It’s part of overall and on-going upgrades to the Mitchell Freeway, which include the Mitchell Freeway extension to Alkimos, and a third lane between Hodges Drive and Hepburn Avenue opened in May.
Features of the new Smart Freeway include:
- new traffic signals on all 16 on-ramps;
- 23 overhead gantries with lane-use and variable-speed signs letting drivers know what speed to travel, lanes to use and if there’s incidents or accidents ahead;
- Digital Message Signs to inform motorists of traffic conditions in real time.
The Kwinana Freeway northbound Smart Freeway began operation in August 2020, shaving six minutes off journeys between Roe Highway and the Narrows Bridge during the morning commute.
Image Credit: Main Roads