Adelaide Metropolitan Bus Priority SIDRA Modelling for Goodwood Road, Main North Road and The Parade

Client

Arup

Location

Goodwood Road, Main North Road, and The Parade, Adelaide, South Australia

Sector

Transport Planning and Traffic Modelling

As part of the Network Planning Studies Program, led by the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT), over 30 transport planning studies are being conducted across metropolitan Adelaide. This program focuses on exploring future upgrades for key arterial roads, intersections, corridors, greenways, and public transport infrastructure to improve traffic efficiency and connectivity. BE Engineering Solutions (BEES) was engaged by Arup, a key Integrated Planning Partner, to perform SIDRA modelling analysis for selected road corridors, including Goodwood Road, Main North Road, and The Parade. The project evaluated the performance impacts of proposed schemes at 18 critical intersections under current and projected future demands.

The Challenge

The project presented several complex challenges:

  • Evaluating the performance of 18 key intersections across major arterial corridors in Adelaide, each with unique traffic dynamics.
  • Balancing the needs of all road users, including buses, private vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians, within the proposed upgrades.
  • Analysing the performance impacts of proposed schemes under both existing traffic conditions and future demand scenarios influenced by urban growth and infrastructure changes.
  • Integrating bus priority measures into the traffic network to enhance public transport efficiency while minimizing disruption to general traffic.

Our Approach

BE Engineering Solutions utilised advanced traffic modelling techniques and a collaborative approach to deliver comprehensive insights:

  • Developed detailed SIDRA models for 18 identified intersections, simulating traffic flow and operational performance under multiple scenarios.
  • Assessed key performance metrics, including:
  • Level of service (LOS) for intersections.
  • Average delay for all road users, including public transport and private vehicles.
  • Degree of saturation, indicating how effectively intersections handle traffic volumes.
  • Impacts of proposed bus priority measures on overall network performance.
  • Simulated the impacts of proposed schemes on intersection performance, including upgrades to road geometry, signal phasing, and the introduction of bus priority lanes.
  • Modelled traffic flow for existing conditions and future demand scenarios, accounting for population growth, urban development, and increased public transport usage.
  • Identified potential bottlenecks and conflict points within the proposed designs, providing recommendations for mitigation.
  • Evaluated the trade-offs between prioritising public transport efficiency and maintaining general traffic flow.
  • Delivered detailed analysis reports to Arup and DIT, including visual outputs and actionable recommendations.
  • Supported the integration of modelling insights into broader transport planning strategies for metropolitan Adelaide.

Outcome

The SIDRA modelling analysis delivered by BE Engineering Solutions provided critical insights that informed the proposed upgrades for key intersections along Goodwood Road, Main North Road, and The Parade.

Key outcomes included:

  • Improved understanding of the operational impacts of bus priority measures, ensuring efficient integration into Adelaide’s road network.
  • Identification of intersection-specific improvements to enhance capacity and reduce delays for all road users.
  • Strategic recommendations to support public transport efficiency while minimizing disruptions to general traffic.
  • A robust foundation for planning future upgrades, ensuring Adelaide’s transport network meets the demands of a growing population.

Why choose BE Engineering Solutions?

BE Engineering Solutions combines expertise in traffic modelling and transport planning to deliver actionable insights that drive smarter infrastructure decisions.

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