Sections of Centenary Motorway registered the slowest inbound traffic speed during peak hours, according to a March 2017 report comparing motorways and freeways in the Brisbane area
The report from the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ) is based on Bluetooth average speed data from the Department of Transport and Main Roads for the month of March. The data covered state-controlled motorways and freeways in Brisbane and surrounding areas.
Topping the list are the section of the highway from Warrender St to Sumners Rd and the section 1.5km south of Toowong roundabout to Miskin St. Both sections registered an average inbound speed of 22 km/hr during peak hours from 6 am to 9 am.
The 22 km/hr speed from Warrender St to Sumners Rd is frustratingly slow compared to the average speed of 92 km/hr registered from 9 am to 4 pm. This peak-hour speed is 31% lower than the 32 km/hr speed in March of the previous year.
Traffic in other sections of the Centenary Motorway is also found to be up to 72 km/hr slower than the usual free-flow speed. Aside from Centenary Motorway, commute on some sections of Pacific Motorway is also significantly slow compared to uncongested traffic.
Need for Upgrade
Because of the steady decline in traffic speed in state-controlled corridors, RACQ believes that authorities should address the issue with Brisbane’s road network before it gets any worse.
RACQ spokeswoman Renee Smith stressed the need for the government to urgently invest in upgrades of the road infrastructure, especially as the Brisbane continues to grow and more vehicles fill the highways.
Ms Smith finds it alarming that commuters are forced to drive at a speed more than 70 km/hr below the usual speed during free-flowing hours.
Travel time reports and other road surveys and assessments done by RACQ are available at www.racq.com.au.
