The Western Australian government has named the date that Perth’s newest smart freeway will be officially opened.
On Sunday, December 22, the Smart Freeway Mitchell Southbound will be formally switched on to provide commuters with faster and safer journeys.
The freeway, which is made up of more than 1,400 pieces of technology, includes road sensors, on-ramp signals, CCTV cameras, incident detection sensors, digital signs and overhead gantries.
The technology is designed to enhance traffic flow and safety by collecting and analysing large amounts of data to respond to traffic conditions in real time. This includes using overhead gantries to lower speed limits and provide warnings about incidents ahead and the use of traffic signals at on-ramps to manage the flow of traffic onto the freeway during busy periods.
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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,” WA transport minister Rita Saffioti says.
“The new Smart Freeway on the Mitchell southbound will harness data from 1,400 pieces of new technology, allowing us to better manage traffic flow during busy periods and when there are incidents on the freeway.”
The smart freeway systems are part of a broader transformation of Mitchell Freeway, which began in July 2023 with the opening of the Mitchell Freeway extension to Alkimos. A third lane between Hodges Drive and Hepburn Avenue opened in May this year.
The upgrades and addition of smart freeway systems are expected to save commuters seven minutes during the morning peak-hour commute.
The Smart Freeway Mitchell Southbound will feature new traffic signals at all 16 on-ramps to help filter traffic, 23 overhead gantries with lane-use and variable-speed signs and Digital Message Signs to inform motorists of traffic conditions in real time.
Mitchell Freeway southbound is Perth’s second Smart Freeway. The first Smart Freeway began operating on Kwinana Freeway northbound in August 2020, with motorists continuing to experience a safer journey and save up to six minutes on their journeys between Roe Highway and the Narrows Bridge to the city during the morning commute.
“The federal government is continuing to invest in the infrastructure that makes our roads safer and gets people home to their families earlier,” federal transport minister Catherine King says.
“Our partnership with the WA government in delivering these important projects will mean residents of Perth’s northern suburbs will spend less time stuck in traffic and more time with their loved ones.”
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