Motorists will soon be able to run red lights at five Brisbane intersections. Well, sort of.
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Lord Mayor Graham Quirk has launched a six month traffic trial of the "turn left on red" system at selected intersections in a bid to reduce congestion in the CBD.
If successful, City Hall will consider implementing the measure permanently and in other locations.
“These relatively minor changes can make a big difference in tackling congestion around the city,” Cr Quirk said.
“The trial has been introduced as part of my ongoing commitment to ensure Brisbane is an accessible, connected city by delivering a range of congestion reduction measures.”
The selected trial locations are:
Deputy Mayor and Infrastructure chairman Adrian Schrinner, who is overseeing the project, said safety was the paramount concern of the trial.
Traffic surveys and monitoring of driver behaviour will be conducted throughout the six month trial, he said.
“The locations were selected after being assessed for safety against Department of Transport and Main Roads guidelines, which include parameters for sight distance, pedestrian activity, cyclist activity and sufficient clearance for buses and trucks,” he said.
“Households in close proximity to each of the trial sites will receive a letter informing them of the changes at their local intersection and numerous signs alerting road users of the changed conditions will be erected for the duration of the trial.”
The Brisbane trial follows a similar one announced by Gold Coast City council late in 2012.
At the time, Queensland's peak motoring body RACQ opposed the move.
"Studies conducted overseas have shown that crashes increase at intersections that allow motorists to turn left on red," RACQ safety policy manager Steve Spalding said.
"Advice to us from South Australia and NSW is that their existing left turn on red sites are gradually being removed.
"The consequence of mistakes [at these intersections] would be severe as motorists are turning into oncoming traffic moving at speed."
However, Queensland transport minister Scott Emerson said it had proven effective in other states.
"This system operates in other Australian cities and we believe it can save drivers time and reduce congestion at some intersections," Mr Emerson said.
