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M5 West needs more than just widening


M5 West needs more than just widening

Author: NRMA MediaDate: 29 November 2010

NRMA Motoring Services Director David Bentham today revealed that there is vast opportunity for the NSW Government to make the M5 West more than just a road widening exercise.

In its M5 West Widening Project submission, the NRMA has strongly encouraged the Department of Planning to advise the NSW Government that:

  • There is a real opportunity to improve traffic management as opposed to simply widening the road
  • The M5 West should be a demonstration project to showcase new safety features before implementing them on other motorways
  • Electronic message signs should be used to display travel time information prior to entering the M5
  • Clear and raised line markings should be installed to provide road users with a warning
  • A one-metre buffer on the road's shoulder should be built to improve safety for broken-down motorists, cyclists and maintenance workers.

Mr Bentham said the devil was in the detail.

"Motorists want motorways with clear signs and line markings and plenty of advance warning before they enter a motorway in the event of extreme traffic delays," Mr Bentham said.

"Congestion and safety issues all tend to happen around the on and off ramps. These need to be designed properly so they are not too short or hidden from view."

Earlier this year, an NRMA study revealed that almost three quarters (73%) of merging lanes had signs that were incorrect, inconsistent with other merges, poorly located or missing altogether. It also found almost one-quarter (22%) of merge lanes were too short.

The NRMA would like electronic variable message signs placed before M5 on-ramps and to include advice to drivers about how long their trip will take.

Mr Bentham said there was nothing more frustrating than turning onto a motorway only to run into the back of a queue of traffic when another route might be available.

"It's even more frustrating when you are paying a toll for the privilege of a traffic jam," Mr Bentham said.

"Travel times have been routinely displayed for years on Melbourne's motorways but so far the RTA has only announced a trial of travel time information on the F3."

View the NRMA's M5 West Widening Project submission (PDF 268KB/13 pages).

Motoring testimony image

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