Dealing with congestion in south east Queensland
South east Queensland is a great place to live, work and play, with a great subtropical climate. It is Australia's fastest growing region. However this growth comes with a price – congestion – both on the region's roads and public transport system.The Queensland Government is committed to dealing with congestion in south east Queensland. The Urban Congestion Task Force was established by the Queensland Government to coordinate the whole of government response to urban congestion. The Task Force coordinates the collective efforts of government, industry and the community to develop and implement initiatives to tackle urban congestion in south east Queensland.
Find out how you can make a difference to congestion now.
Record funds are being spent on building more roads, busways and cycleways and improving the public transport system. But south east Queensland can't build its way out of congestion, so the government is also implementing initiatives aimed at managing urban congestion based on five key elements.
Land use and planning
Creating the right development patterns across south east Queensland to reduce the need for travel, through integrated corridor planning of major arterials and providing support for transit oriented developments.
Success so far: The South East Queensland Regional Plan and transit oriented development plans are examples of land use planning.
More information about land use and planning projects
Pricing and travel demand
Creating incentives for more efficient use of the existing network through travel demand management measures to encourage less private vehicle travel, particularly during peak congestion periods.
Success so far: The TravelSmart Northside behaviour change project saw private vehicle usage drop significantly.
More information about pricing and travel demand projects
Travel options
Creating a public transport and active transport network that has greater accessibility, frequency and reliability through more cycling facilities and more public transport, including buses, rail and ferry.
Success so far: Park'n'Ride facilities encourage higher public transport use.
More information about travel options projects
Efficiency
Maximising the efficiency of existing infrastructure investments through active traffic management and advanced incident management, including the development of intelligent transport systems and quick road clearance.
Success so far: Heavy tow vehicles help traffic recover more quickly after an incident.
More information about efficiency projects
Capacity
Additional infrastructure investment through major and arterial road construction projects, new tunnels and more public transport infrastructure, including rail upgrades and extensions, busways, bus priority measures and station upgrades.
Success so far: The Gateway Upgrade Project and Northern Busway will increase south east Queensland's road and public transport capacity.
More information about Capacity projects
The State Government is working with local government, industry, the community and international congestion expert, Professor George Hazel, to implement a balanced approach to dealing with congestion now and into the future. On 19 November 2008, Premier Anna Bligh hosted a community forum to seek ideas from south east Queensland residents on addressing urban congestion. Professor Hazel sparked the imagination of participants by outlining some congestion-reducing initiatives overseas. Around 90 participants attended the half-day event which generated literally hundreds of exciting ideas, all of which will be considered for the government's urban congestion response.
Summary of responses from the community forum (PDF**, 145KB)What you can do now to make a difference
Swap your car for walking, cycling or public transport
One bus can carry 40 seated passengers and another 20 standing passengers which could take up to 60 cars off the road for each full bus during peak hour. If we use active or public transport wherever possible, we can reduce pollution and traffic congestion, help the environment and improve our fitness. For more information on public transport, visit www.translink.com.au
Ask your boss if you can start work earlier or later to avoid travelling in peak times
Some workplaces offer employees flexibility in their working arrangements, depending on the nature of your work. Travelling outside of peak hours can reduce your travel time and the stress involved in getting to and from work.
Organise a ‘walking bus’ at your local school
Obesity affects more than half of all adults and almost one in four children. Consider organising a walking bus at your local school, where a group of primary school children walk to and from school accompanied by a minimum of two parents. Walking costs nothing, reduces stress and improves fitness.
Purchase goods and services locally to reduce length of trips
Less time spent in traffic means less money spent on fuel, a reduction of your carbon outputs and more time with friends and family.
Car pool – share a ride with a neighbour, friend or colleague
When walking, cycling or public transport are not options available for your journey, consider car pooling. It can help you save on petrol, parking, car maintenance and stress, as well as reduce air pollution and congestion.
Use a go card
With a go card you can travel seamlessly on TransLink bus, train and ferry services across south east Queensland. The go card is quicker, easier and better value. Depending on your usage, you can get 20 to 35 per cent off full fares, from your first trip. And, if you use your card more than 10 times in a week (Monday to Sunday), you get a 50 per cent discount. To purchase a go card, or to find out more information, visit www.translink.com.au.
Plan your trip
If you better plan your trip you can arrive at your destination faster. Visit www.translink.com.au and plan your bus, train or ferry journey or visit www.mainroads.qld.gov.au to see the live traffic web cameras to help plan the best route. Cycling maps for your area are avaliable in the cycling area of the Queensland Transport website.
Other elements and information
**While this department has taken every possible precaution with the creation of these files, they are downloaded and used at your own risk. Adobe Reader is needed to open and print Portable Document Format (PDF) files and is free to download from http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html. Various tools to enable access to these files for people using a screen reader can be found at http://access.adobe.com. Further information is available from the "Help with downloading, reading and printing PDF".
Last updated 12 October 2009
Other languages