Green light: Trams may never have to stop at traffic lights again.
Green light: Trams may never have to stop at traffic lights again. Photo: Craig Abraham
Trams may never have to stop at traffic lights under congestion-busting plans being developed by VicRoads to accommodate Melbourne's growing population.
Traffic lights could one day be programmed to sense when a tram approaches and turn green, giving the tram right of way, VicRoads director of network policy and standards Andrew Wall said.
"It is possible that one day, trams will only have to stop to pick up and set down passengers," Mr Wall said.
He said traffic lights could also be linked with tram timetables so trams could be given priority based on whether they were running early or late.
"It will also be possible to determine when the tram doors are open and shut and only give priority when the tram is ready to go," he said.
"Many tram stops are now being located on the far side of intersections. This means that trams can be given priority through the intersection as soon as they arrive.
"Trams already get significant priority at traffic signals. The biggest challenge for Melbourne is tram routes that share the road with other vehicles. The delays are not due to traffic signals, but rather the queue of vehicles ahead of them."
For the past seven years, VicRoads has been working with researchers at the University of Melbourne and Monash University to determine how changing traffic conditions, including traffic light frequency, might ease congestion in the city.
The research team has used mathematical modelling to test alternative ways to run the network.
Mr Wall said the research focused on developing ways to maximise the number of people moving around the transport network, rather than the number of vehicles.
The study also examined the restriction of on-road parking with clearway zones.
It found that there was only a real benefit in restricting on-road parking within 100 metres of intersections.
With Melbourne's population expected to reach about 8 million by 2053, Mr Wall said the roads authority had to explore new congestion management methods.
Mr Wall said mathematics was being used in a similar way in European countries including Germany and Switzerland, because it was a cheap and effective alternative to traditional forms of modelling.
The research team has now turned its attention to Melbourne's inner-northern suburbs, around Brunswick and Coburg.
"There is extensive growth in higher density housing in this area and trams form a vital role in meeting the transport needs of this community," Mr Wall said.
"It will be critical to ensure that the existing road network in this area is managed as efficiently as possible to maximise the movement of people."