Better traveller information in times of road closures

Queensland is Australia's second largest State with a total area covering over 1.7 million square kilometres but home to only 3.3 million people. The vast geographic area and remoteness of some areas of Queensland presents Main Roads with unique problems when it comes to operating and maintaining a road network. Main Roads in partnership with local governments manages Queensland's road network. Main Roads is responsible for the development and implementation of road-related transport solutions aimed at increasing the quality of life and creating a road network that all Queenslanders value. The wet season in regional and rural Queensland can last for many months and typically occurs from October to March. The extreme weather conditions coupled with low-lying roads mean many roads have to be closed as a result of heavy rain and flooding. Some of these road closures can last for months and alternative routes may be thousands of kilometres in length. Rural and remote communities suffer the adverse consequences associated with the restricted movement of people and goods and access to essential services. Flood prone road sections, increasingly constrained public sector funding and increased road user expectations mean much better information of road conditions need to be distributed to our road users. Since 1967 the travelling public in Queensland has received information on road conditions. Recently however, local government, the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ) and the general public have been concerned over the reliability and accuracy of this information. This paper describes the measures initiated by Main Roads, but in cooperation with a range of agencies, to improve the quality and timeliness of information to the public about road closures in times of prolonged flooding. The paper outlines the extent and nature of the problem, the challenges we faced and how we addressed these challenges. The paper highlights the increasing necessity for agencies such as Main Roads to cooperate if they are to fulfill their objectives and live up to the expectations of their community.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Found on CD 113 at P131.pdf
• Authors:
  • Dove, S
• Conference:
  • International Road Federation World Meeting, 14th, 2001, Paris, France
• Publication Date: 2001

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 15p
• Monograph Title: IRF Paris 2001

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Advanced traveler information systems; Advanced traveler information systems; Floods; Intelligent transportation systems; Internet; Lane closure; Partnerships; Private enterprise; Telephone; Traffic diversion; Transportation departments; Types of roads by network
• ATRI Terms: Advanced traveler information systems (ATIS); Flooding; Intelligent transport systems (ITS); Internet; Partnership; Private sector; Road authority; Road closure; Road network; Telephone
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01392143
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• Files: ATRI
• Created Date: Aug 23 2012 6:53AM