❓ Question regarding the safety and speed limits of the New Perth Bunbury Highway, specifically concerning the transition between rural highway and freeway standards. The answer clarifies that speed limits are determined by various factors, not solely road type.
AnsweredQoN 2614Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(a) is the explanation on the Planning and Infrastructure Department's website correct in stating that the New Perth Bunbury Highway will be constructed to a freeway standard from Safety Bay Road to Pinjarra Road with the remainder of the route being built as a rural highway and that in the future, as traffic demands increase, the highway will be upgraded to a freeway standard for its entire length; and
(i) if yes, does this mean that a road built to freeway standard is unsafe for a 110km/hr limit;
(ii) does this mean that the speed limit on the road south of South Yunderup will be reduced in the future when it is upgraded to freeway standard; and
(b) why are rural highways built to cope with higher speed limits than freeways in Western Australia?
(i) if yes, does this mean that a road built to freeway standard is unsafe for a 110km/hr limit;
(ii) does this mean that the speed limit on the road south of South Yunderup will be reduced in the future when it is upgraded to freeway standard; and
(b) why are rural highways built to cope with higher speed limits than freeways in Western Australia?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
19 September 2007
Responded by
Minister for Planning and Infrastructure
Response time
22 days
(a) No information is provided on the Department of Planning and Infrastructure website in relation to Perth to Bunbury Highway standards. It is assumed the project information referred to is that on the Main Roads WA website. If this is the case, yes.
(i) Speed limits are determined on a number of factors. If traffic volumes are low, interchanges are well spaced, and pavement surfacing is suitable, a freeway can safely operate at 110 km/h.
(ii) Changes to the speed limit south of South Yunderup Road are more likely to be triggered by traffic growth or adjacent development rather than its conversion to a freeway. It is expected to be able to operate at 110 km/h for many years.
(b) Rural highways are not necessary built to cope with higher speed limits than the freeways. There are a number of factors considered in the speed zoning process that include roadside development, traffic volumes, types of road users, reported crash data , pavement surfacing and prevailing traffic speeds.
Generally freeways have more lanes than rural highways with a number of merging situations and weaving movements. The freeways also carry large traffic volumes. However, on rural highways high speed limits occur generally in undeveloped areas or farmland areas where residences are generally set well back from the road and traffic volumes are not as significant as the freeways.
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(i) Speed limits are determined on a number of factors. If traffic volumes are low, interchanges are well spaced, and pavement surfacing is suitable, a freeway can safely operate at 110 km/h.
(ii) Changes to the speed limit south of South Yunderup Road are more likely to be triggered by traffic growth or adjacent development rather than its conversion to a freeway. It is expected to be able to operate at 110 km/h for many years.
(b) Rural highways are not necessary built to cope with higher speed limits than the freeways. There are a number of factors considered in the speed zoning process that include roadside development, traffic volumes, types of road users, reported crash data , pavement surfacing and prevailing traffic speeds.
Generally freeways have more lanes than rural highways with a number of merging situations and weaving movements. The freeways also carry large traffic volumes. However, on rural highways high speed limits occur generally in undeveloped areas or farmland areas where residences are generally set well back from the road and traffic volumes are not as significant as the freeways.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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