Traffic Management Programs

The Metropolitan Region manages several traffic management programs which aim to improve the safety, efficiency and amenity of our roads.

• No U-turn program
• Clearways
• Black Spot program
  • Mainstreet program
  • Road Lighting program

See Road safety for other safety initiatives and programs.

No U-turn program

Investigations of divided roads (those separated by medians) have shown that rear end accidents and delays to through traffic are often caused by drivers attempting u-turn or right turn manoeuvres from a position in the through traffic lane.

Transport SA has developed a program to generally permit u-turn manoeuvres only from sheltered turning lanes (medians which are indented to provide part of a protected turning lane).

However, this restriction may be limited to peak hours depending on alternative access routes and traffic flows.

When executing a u-turn, the motorist must ensure that it is safe to do so and that it does not obstruct any other traffic or endanger pedestrians. A driver should not make a u-turn

• at or within 30 m of a traffic control signal
• on a freeway
• prior to turning or diverging either left or right.

Clearways

Clearways operate on busy arterial roads during periods of high traffic volume to maximise traffic flow and capacity.

A clearway is a length of road along which kerbside parking and standing is prohibited during specified periods of the day (except for buses). The restriction may apply

• to either or both sides of the road
• at the same or different time periods depending upon the traffic conditions
• usually apply on weekdays only.

Unlike normal parking restrictions which are imposed by Councils, clearways are installed by Transport SA.

Clearways are considered when traffic flows exceed the one-way traffic flow rates as set out in the Australian Standard AS1742.11.

By prohibiting parking, clearways

• improve visibility for both motorists and pedestrians
• help reduce accidents
• remove impediments to traffic flow
• give the full capacity of the road to moving traffic
• offer public transport an uninterrupted passage.

Black Spot program

This program provides a source of Federal funding towards road safety projects for the treatment of sites or lengths of road with a proven history of crashes involving death or serious injury.

Nominations of sites can be from

• State and Local Governments
• community groups
• clubs and associations
• road user groups
• industry.

Once a site has been modified under the Blackspot Program it is signposted with a distinctive warning sign.

Mainstreet program

The Mainstreet Program is a good example of Transport SA’s commitment to improving the safety of the road network and the amenity of its environs.

Transport SA accepts submissions from Local Government for the improvement of a road through a local area.

Improvements may include

• traffic calming measures (such as roundabouts, bicycle lanes, indented parking, and pedestrian facilities)
• landscaping enhancements
• street lighting.

Road Lighting program

Road lighting helps to create a safer environment for the motorist and the community in general by increasing visibility.

However, roadside assets such as these

• can clutter the line of vision for motorists
• pose a risk to motorists and pedestrians in the event of a collision
• are costly to install, operate and maintain, particularly in the current climate of increased demands for energy conservation.

Careful consideration is therefore given to the location of street lighting so that the minimum number of poles are situated along the roadside or in hazardous locations.

New sites for road lighting are considered on a priority basis with other locations throughout the State taking into account a number of factors including

• safety issues
• accident rate
• traffic volume.