There is a measurable increase in traffic flow on school days compared to school holiday periods. This can range between a 10% to 20% increase in traffic flows, depending on the nature of the road. Generally, school related ‘spikes’ in traffic occur during the beginning of the school year and also during periods of inclement weather. Similarly, the start of the University year results in higher levels of traffic on the main arterial roads near the Sandy Bay Campus. University traffic tends to be maximised at the beginning of the first semester and typically settles down throughout the year. Whilst not assessed in this report, there is anecdotal evidence that tourism may also have contributed to increased traffic demands on the network. Tourism Tasmania have reported record visitations to Tasmania in the past 12 months. Background Traffic Growth Background traffic growth occurs on all the major roads connecting to Hobart. Each of the highways connecting to Hobart have experienced relatively steady traffic growth over an extended period of time. Current compound growth rates are: Tasman Bridge 1.1% Brooker Highway 1.5% Southern Outlet 3.6% It is noted that these values are for daily traffic increases, and that peak hour traffic historically grows at a much lesser rate than daily traffic. Annual average daily traffic volumes (AADT) for the Tasman Bridge between 1982 and 2015 are shown in Figure 1. It can be seen that traffic growth has been relatively consistent between 1982 and 1995, however growth appears to have slowed in recent years. It is likely that current traffic volumes on the Bridge are approaching capacity, which may be in the order of 70,000 to 75,000 vehicles per day. During peak periods, traffic flow is at capacity in the peak direction (westbound in morning peak and eastbound during evening peak). Figure Tasman Bridge Traffic Data Road Works The presence of road works reduces traffic capacity on the network. This is through a combination of physical reduction of a road or lane(s), increased side friction, modified traffic conditions, and reduced vehicle speeds. The greatest single causal impact of recent traffic congestion was the presence of road works in key locations of the network. The most critical road works impact was the Rosny Interchange, as well as various inner city works (including the closure of Liverpool Street over one full week). The Rosny Interchange works impacted Tasman Bridge traffic flow during the afternoon peak in the following key ways:
There is a measurable increase in traffic flow on school days compared to school holiday periods. This can range between a 10% to 20% increase in traffic flows, depending on the nature of the road. Generally, school related ‘spikes’ in traffic occur during the beginning of the school year and also during periods of inclement weather. Similarly, the start of the University year results in higher levels of traffic on the main arterial roads near the Sandy Bay Campus. University traffic tends to be maximised at the beginning of the first semester and typically settles down throughout the year. Whilst not assessed in this report, there is anecdotal evidence that tourism may also have contributed to increased traffic demands on the network. Tourism Tasmania have reported record visitations to Tasmania in the past 12 months. Background Traffic Growth Background traffic growth occurs on all the major roads connecting to Hobart. Each of the highways connecting to Hobart have experienced relatively steady traffic growth over an extended period of time. Current compound growth rates are: Tasman Bridge 1.1% Brooker Highway 1.5% Southern Outlet 3.6% It is noted that these values are for daily traffic increases, and that peak hour traffic historically grows at a much lesser rate than daily traffic. Annual average daily traffic volumes (AADT) for the Tasman Bridge between 1982 and 2015 are shown in Figure 1. It can be seen that traffic growth has been relatively consistent between 1982 and 1995, however growth appears to have slowed in recent years. It is likely that current traffic volumes on the Bridge are approaching capacity, which may be in the order of 70,000 to 75,000 vehicles per day. During peak periods, traffic flow is at capacity in the peak direction (westbound in morning peak and eastbound during evening peak). Figure Tasman Bridge Traffic Data Road Works The presence of road works reduces traffic capacity on the network. This is through a combination of physical reduction of a road or lane(s), increased side friction, modified traffic conditions, and reduced vehicle speeds. The greatest single causal impact of recent traffic congestion was the presence of road works in key locations of the network. The most critical road works impact was the Rosny Interchange, as well as various inner city works (including the closure of Liverpool Street over one full week). The Rosny Interchange works impacted Tasman Bridge traffic flow during the afternoon peak in the following key ways:
Hobart_Traffic_Congestion_-_Traffic_Analysis.docx