Congestion-busting traffic lights at one of the busiest roundabouts on the Sunshine Coast have been switched on.
Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said the $1 million metered lights would cut waiting times at peak periods at the Caloundra Road, Nicklin Way and Pelican Waters Boulevard roundabout.
"The signals will reduce delays across all legs of the roundabout," Mr Bailey said.
"They will also make it easier for emergency vehicles to negotiate the intersection.
"Unlike normal traffic lights, the metering signals will only operate when traffic builds up.
"This will allow traffic to freely enter the roundabout from the busiest approach and reduce excess queuing.
"Specialised detectors have been installed to manage queue lengths on each entry to the roundabout.
"At all other times, the metering signals will not operate and motorists can enter the roundabout using normal roundabout rules.
"TMR will monitor the signals over the next month to ensure they are working as efficiently as possible."
Mr Bailey said the roundabout was known as one of the busiest intersections on the Sunshine Coast.
"These metering signals will help balance delays during peak afternoon hours and congested periods," he said.
"We expect this will also bring relief to motorists exiting the Caloundra CBD."
Mr Bailey said in conjunction with the new metering signals, closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras had been installed.
"The cameras have been placed on each entry to the roundabout to monitor queues and ensure efficient operation of the metering signals," he said.
"The next stage of the upgrades are resurfacing works to the northbound lanes of Nicklin Way between the roundabout and Beerburrum Street, and the Caloundra roundabout and Nicklin Way/Beerburrum Street intersection.
"These works will occur at night and are expected to early this year, weather permitting.
"We have also allocated $500,000 for planning to progress further staged improvements in this area."
What motorists using the roundabout should look for:
Motorists will see two things as they approach the roundabout.
The first is an illuminated electronic sign advising if the metering signals are in use, and the second is the actual roundabout metering signals.
The signals will have yellow and red phases (there will be no green phase):
- Yellow phase = motorists are required to stop, unless it is unsafe to do so.
- Red phase = motorists are required to stop and wait for the signals to turn off before entering the roundabout.
Once the signals are off, normal road rules apply for giving way when entering a roundabout.
