TRAFFIC PROBLEMS AND MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS

The paper describes the nature of traffic management in response to a variety of operational and environmental needs which may be found in smaller cities and towns. The extent to which these will be perceived as problems will vary from one community to another. The outward growth of a town may create a number of immediate and long-term traffic situations which will need attention. The paper stresses the need to foresee these problems and to set an appropriate road framework in advance of development. The importance of traffic impact and management considerations in site development control is also noted. Various means of improving major road traffic performance are listed. The relative merits of roundabouts and traffic signals are briefly discussed, from which it is concluded that roundabouts can provide adequate capacity for many provincial city intersections, with lower delay and adequate safety, where traffic signals might previously have been assumed to be the only available traffic management alternative to priority signs. Current high levels of traffic management activity in Australian town centres and residential areas are mentioned. Many of the techniques observed in such situations may be applied in smaller urban areas. It is concluded that most urban local authorities could justify dedicating at least one staff member to traffic management duties. (Author/TRRL)