Photo: Nat Rogers/InDaily

The Operation Moving Traffic report, released this morning, flags a series of changes to the ways in which traffic is managed in Adelaide, including giving buses and trams the ability to “request priority” at traffic lights, “particularly when running late”.

“Bus priority integration into [the] traffic signals system” would begin in three to six months’ time, the report says.

It is unclear whether bus and tram drivers, or an automatic system would “request” priority.

State Government actions flagged in the report include:

Increasing the number of bus lanes , including piloting an extended Anzac Highway city-bound bus lane.

, including piloting an extended Anzac Highway city-bound bus lane. Banning more right-hand turns , including at the Anzac Highway/Greenhill Road/Richmond Road intersection.

, including at the Anzac Highway/Greenhill Road/Richmond Road intersection. Improving traffic light sequencing in the city , including an ongoing trial of altered sequencing on Hutt Street.

, including an ongoing trial of altered sequencing on Hutt Street. A Government-sponsored mobile app to verbally warn drivers of car accidents or road works up ahead.

to verbally warn drivers of car accidents or road works up ahead. Trialling a super-frequent express bus service on “a key route”.

on “a key route”. Reducing the number of bus stops on “selected” routes.

on “selected” routes. Reviewing “inconsistent” enforcement of parking laws in clearways on major roads.

on major roads. Considering the extension of bike lanes that are currently “discontinuous”.

that are currently “discontinuous”. Trialling reduced waiting times for pedestrians at selected crossings.

at selected crossings. Exploring indented bus stop bays, to reduce incidents of traffic waiting behind stopped busses.

The report also appears to suggest that there are too many car parks in Adelaide’s CBD, but Transport Minister Stephen Mullighan says that is an incorrect characterisation of the government’s view.

Under a subheading ‘What is not working’, the report says that “the Adelaide CBD has a high number of parking spaces relative to other capital cities in Australia”.

“The overall parking capacity, distribution of spaces and parking charges clearly influence the amount of travel to and from the CBD by car and the time of day chosen for this travel.”


Adelaide’s CBD features more than 40,000 car parks – more than Sydney’s CBD.

The report says that “construction approval for new parking spaces or redeveloping existing lots” in the city should be reviewed.

In addition, a “review of current parking policies in the city also offers opportunities to influence a reduction in peak period car travel by encouraging changes to the way the car parking spaces are allocated and charged – ie. incentives for earlier or later parking,” it says.

It also says that ‘Early Bird’ car park pricing was “an attraction to drive to the CBD in the morning peak, rather than later”.

But Mullighan said in a statement to InDaily this morning that “No, we do not believe that [the CBD has too many car parks]”.

“Car parking facilities are important for retail, business and those who may not have access to public transport.”

“Providing incentives, similar to early bird parking, for people to come into the city outside of peak times can help to reduce congestion when our roads are at their busiest.”


Lord Mayor Martin Haese told InDaily in a statement that: “I welcome the report and commend the Minister for taking immediate action in identifying the challenges the city faces in regards to transport and for committing to swift resolutions”.

“Council supports any initiatives which improve people movement in, out and around the city, and the Hutt Street traffic light sequencing trial will work to achieve this in that part of the city.”

A spokesperson for Haese said he was unable to comment on the parking section of the report in time for InDaily’s deadline.

Haese said he hoped the State Government would “work with Adelaide City Council to improve traffic movement on other key gateway routes into and out of the city, such as Pulteney, Wakefield and O’Connell Street”.

“I am keen to see the best outcomes for motorists in peak hour but to also make getting around easy and accessible for everyone across all transport modes.

“In addition to these swift actions, I would encourage the State Government to continue investment in the ring route and in improving public transport.”

Haese told InDaily last week CBD traffic light sequencing needed an overhaul, and suggested traffic managers may be giving drivers more red lights in the city than necessary in order to encourage drivers onto the ring route.

Transport Minister Stephen Mullighan rejected the suggestion, saying that while the day-to-day traffic signal management was carried out by the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrascture, the CBD’s traffic sequencing policies were ultimately managed by the Adelaide City Council, not the State Government.

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