Frequently Asked Questions

Traffic lights will be installed to control the westbound right-turn movement from Parkes Way into Coranderrk Street. The activation of the lights will be dynamic and is dependent on a queue of 100 metres forming on the eastbound approach of Parkes Way.

These traffic lights will be set back approximately 20 metres from the intersection.

They will function as follows:

• lights off: go
• orange light: stop when safe to do so (as per normal traffic lights)
• red: stop.

Once the traffic passes the lights and enters the roundabout, the normal give-way controls at the roundabout will be in place.

These traffic lights are intended to operate in a similar fashion to those that exist at the intersection of Isabella Drive and Drakeford Drive (on the Isabella Drive approach).

In addition to the installation of traffic lights, there will be an extension of the westbound turning lanes for improved storage capacity.

When there are no queues, then the signals will remain in the ‘off’ state. When metering occurs and the signals are displaying red, the red signal lasts only as long as there are vehicles on the eastbound approach of Parkes Way – as soon as the queue has dissipated, the red signal will return to the ‘off’ state.

There is not expected to be significant impact. Through traffic is able to utilise the existing bypass lanes and is not affected at all by the new traffic lights. As part of this project we have also constructed increased storage in the right-turn lane.

During construction, traffic is expected to move away from Commonwealth Avenue and migrate to Kings Avenue and Parkes Way. With Parkes Way already operating close to or over capacity, controlling the right-turn will create increased opportunities for traffic on the eastbound approach to enter the roundabout. These will be part time signals with the traffic lights set back approximately 20 metres from the roundabout. Once the traffic passes the lights and enters the roundabout, the normal give-way controls at the roundabout will be in place.

The impacts were estimated using a microsimulation traffic model of the road network in the vicinity of the works. This is a traffic modelling tool that allows for changes to the road network to be tested to understand both the local and broader impacts such as changes in delays, traffic volumes and journey times. The model considers traffic demands, route selection and preferences, driver behaviour and other key road network parameters to simulate possible real world network outcomes.

Using this model allows for the creation of traffic scenarios through making changes to the road network (i.e. lane reductions, road closures, speed limit reductions etc.) to reflect possible construction impacts.

Aligning this with the anticipated road network changes during the construction phase of light rail to Woden (including the works to raise London Circuit), it showed vehicles being redistributed from Commonwealth Avenue to other parts of the network, notably Kings Avenue and Parkes Way.