Road transport in Australia

{{short description|Component of transport in Australia}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}} {{Use Australian English|date=March 2018}} [[File:Jolls Bridge on the F3 Freeway - north of Hawkesbury River, N.S.W b..jpg|thumb|right|The [[Pacific Motorway (Sydney–Newcastle)|M1 Pacific Motorway]] is the major road transport link between the cities of [[Sydney]] and [[Brisbane]]. The section between Sydney and Newcastle is one of the busiest roads in Australia, with an average of 70,000 vehicles per day.<ref>{{Cite web|title=M1 Pacific Motorway Upgrades|url=https://roads-waterways.transport.nsw.gov.au/projects/m1-pacific-motorway/index.html|access-date=2021-06-21|website=[[Transport for NSW]]|language=en}}</ref>]] [[File:Hume Freeway Craigieburn Bypass.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Hume Highway|Hume Freeway]] is the major road transport link between the cities of [[Melbourne]] and [[Sydney]]]]

Road transport is an element of the [[transport in Australia|Australian transport network]], and contributes to the [[Economy of Australia|Australian economy]]. Australia relies heavily on road transport due to Australia's large area and low [[population density]] in considerable parts of the country.<ref name="transtats">{{cite web|url=http://www.iraptranstats.net/aus|title=Transport in Australia|accessdate=17 February 2009|work=International Transport Statistics Database|publisher=[[International Road Assessment Programme]]}}</ref>

Another reason for the reliance upon roads is that the [[Rail transport in Australia|Australian rail network]] has not been sufficiently developed for a lot of the freight and passenger requirements in most areas of Australia. This has meant that [[Good (economics)|goods]] that would otherwise be transported by rail are moved across Australia via [[road train]]s. Almost every household owns at least one [[car]], and uses it most days.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.aaa.asn.au/issues/future.htm |title = Where are we now? |accessdate = 3 February 2007 |publisher = [[Australian Automobile Association]] |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070222112232/http://www.aaa.asn.au/issues/future.htm |archive-date = 22 February 2007 |url-status = dead |df = dmy-all }}</ref>

[[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]] is the state with the highest density of arterial roads in Australia.

==History== {{expand section|detailing the history of Australia's road network.|date=January 2023}}

==Costs and funding== [[File:Road to recovery gnangarra.jpg|thumb|Signage that shows funding for repairs/upgrades was used through the [[Government of Australia|Federal Government's]] "Roads to Recovery" program.]] Funding and responsibility for Australia's road network is split between the three levels of government; Federal, State and Local. Because of long distances, low population densities, and widely separated major settlements, the costs of and funding for roads in Australia has been, historically, a major fiscal issue for all levels of government, especially Federal and State. The popular phrase 'the tyranny of distance', also the title of a famous historical work,<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780732911171 |title=The tyranny of distance : how distance shaped Australia's history / Geoffrey Blainey | National Library of Australia |publisher=Catalogue.nla.gov.au |accessdate=2015-02-19 |isbn=9780732911171 |year=2001 |url-access=registration }}</ref> captures the central role of transport in Australian policy, producing many conflicts. It was not until the Bland enquiry in Victoria<ref>Sir Henry Bland, Reports of the Board of Inquiry into Victorian land transport, Government of Victoria, 1972</ref> that there was an attempt to outline the complex questions in economic theory and practice of determining and measuring road costs and their allocation. In 1978-80 the McDonell Enquiry reviewed road and rail freight transport in New South Wales and its affected cities and regions, (the 'hub' of the Australian freight transport system). It was set up because of the 'truckies' blockades and national disturbances which disrupted access to all mainland capitals. These were largely sparked by the levels of road taxes. This enquiry developed the first comprehensive theoretical and measurement system for assessing and allocating road costs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://opac.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au/opacs/BasicSearch?status=2&pageno=1&phrasecode=0&fieldcode=4&searchwords=NSW%20(NEW%20SOUTH%20WALES)%20%20DEPT.%20OF%20TRANSPORT%20%20COMMISSION%20ON%20ENQUIRY%20INTO%20THE%20NSW%20ROAD%20FREIGHT%20INDUSTRY&collection=all |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110706121750/http://opac.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au/opacs/BasicSearch?status=2&pageno=1&phrasecode=0&fieldcode=4&searchwords=NSW%20(NEW%20SOUTH%20WALES)%20%20DEPT.%20OF%20TRANSPORT%20%20COMMISSION%20ON%20ENQUIRY%20INTO%20THE%20NSW%20ROAD%20FREIGHT%20INDUSTRY&collection=all |url-status=dead |archive-date=2011-07-06 |title=Penrith City Library |publisher=Opac.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au |accessdate=2015-02-19 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=Transport Reviews: A Transnational Transdisciplinary Journal |volume=8 |issue=2 |date=1988 }}</ref> This system was subsequently applied more widely,<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=823092279107231;res=IELENG |title=Transport '85: Preprints of Papers - Road Freight Deficits (Engineering Collection) - Informit |journal = Transport '85: Preprints of Papers|publisher=Search.informit.com.au |accessdate=2015-02-19|year = 1985|last1 = Laird|first1 = P. G.|pages=26–30 }}</ref> and then extended, with later studies, for the establishment of current national policy and principles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bitre.gov.au/publications/77/Files/wp60.pdf |accessdate=8 April 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090918170952/http://www.bitre.gov.au/publications/77/Files/wp60.pdf |archivedate=18 September 2009|title=AN OVERVIEW OF THE AUSTRALIAN ROAD FREIGHT TRANSPORT INDUSTRY }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unireps.com.au/isbn/086840411X.htm |accessdate=8 April 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20080720184313/http://www.unireps.com.au/isbn/086840411X.htm |archivedate=20 July 2008 |title=Back on Track: Rethinking Transport Policy in Australia and New Zealand }}</ref> [[Fuel tax]] is around 50 cents per litre.<ref>{{cite web |title=The government just raised the fuel excise again – here's what it means for you |url=https://www.drive.com.au/caradvice/fuel-excise-increase-2024/ |website=Drive |language=en-AU |date=5 February 2024}}</ref> Fuel sales in Australia (per year) are around 16 billion litres of gasoline, and 32 billion litres of diesel.<ref>{{cite web |title=Australian Petroleum Statistics 2023 |url=https://www.energy.gov.au/publications/australian-petroleum-statistics-2023 |publisher=Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water |date=December 2023 |quote=slide page 7}}</ref>

The [[Government of Australia|Federal government]] provides funds under the [[AusLink]] programme for several funding programs including: *National Projects *National Network Maintenance, essentially the [[National Highway (Australia)|National Highway]], comprising the main freeways and highways linking the major cities of Australia<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.auslink.gov.au/funding/projects/network_maintenance.aspx | title = National Projects | publisher = Australian Government Department of Transport and Regional Services | accessdate = 18 February 2007 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20060820213446/http://www.auslink.gov.au/funding/projects/network_maintenance.aspx  |archivedate = 20 August 2006}}</ref> *Roads to Recovery Program - provides funding allocations to councils in each State or Territory<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.auslink.gov.au/funding/r2r/allocations/index.aspx |title = Roads to Recovery Program Funding Allocations |publisher = Australian Government Department of Transport and Regional Services |accessdate = 18 February 2007 |url-status = dead |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070624082934/http://www.auslink.gov.au/funding/r2r/allocations/index.aspx |archivedate = 24 June 2007 |df = dmy-all }}</ref> * [[Black Spot Program|Black Spot]] Program (improvements to high accident risk spots)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationbuildingprogram.gov.au/funding/blackspots/ |title=Black Spot Program |publisher=Nationbuildingprogram.gov.au |date=2013-09-23 |accessdate=2013-10-18}}</ref> *Strategic Regional Program *Innovation and Research *Funding for Local Roads

Other highways and main roads linking regional centres are funded by the respective state governments. Local and minor roads are generally funded by the third tier of government, local councils.

The [[Business Council of Australia]] in its Infrastructure Action Plan, estimated that in 2004, road infrastructure was under funded by [[A$]]10 billion.<ref name="???">{{cite web | url = http://www.bca.com.au/Content.aspx?ContentID=100836 | title = Infrastructure to sustain growth (PDF linked) | publisher = [[Business Council of Australia]] | accessdate = 19 February 2007 }}</ref>

==Roads and highways== [[File:Hume Hwy (NSW) Distances Updated.gif|thumb|Sign showing distances (in [[kilometre]]s) on the [[Hume Highway]] from [[Sydney]] to [[Melbourne]]]] [[File:ABS-6291.0.55.003-LabourForceAustraliaDetailedQuarterly-EmployedPersonsByIndustrySubdivisionSex-EmployedTotal-RoadTransport-Persons-A2545646C.svg|thumb|right|Total employment in the road transport industry in Australia (thousands of people) since 1984]] Different standards of roads are generally called by various names. With wide variations in population across the nation, the name of a road does not always reflect the construction or capacity of a particular road.

===Freeways, motorways, expressways and tollways=== {{see also|Freeways in Australia|Toll roads in Australia}} [[File:Westlink M7 near Cowpasture.jpg|thumb|Westlink M7, [[Greater Western Sydney|Western Sydney]] ]]

[[Freeway]]s are major roads with more than one lane of traffic in each direction designed for higher speed operation. They have barriers or wide median strips separating traffic travelling in opposite directions, and grade-separated intersections without roundabouts or traffic lights in the main route. Some [[toll road]]s are called [[motorway]]s or tollways to avoid perceived difficulties with charging people to use a ''free''way. Most Australian capital cities have one or more freeways across, past, or leading to them.

When limited-access highways began to be built in Sydney in the 1950s, beginning with the [[Cahill Expressway]], they were provisionally named expressways{{efn| The [[Department of Main Roads (New South Wales)|Department of Main Roads]] adopted "expressway" to describe "important dual carriageway roads with full access control and grade separations at all crossings", equivalent to "freeway" commonly used in the [[United States]].<ref>{{cite report |title=PLANNING AND DESIGN OF URBAN EXPRESSWAYS IN N.S.W. WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO THE COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND |url=https://collection.sl.nsw.gov.au/record/74VvAdOWRKjA |publisher=Department of Main Roads |year=1963 |author=E. R. Jefferay }}</ref> }}, but in the 1960s Australian transport ministers agreed that they be called freeways (like in the [[United States]] and other countries). The Cahill Expressway has kept its original name. [[Melbourne]]'s [[Monash Freeway|South Eastern Freeway]] (now called the 'Monash Freeway') was the second freeway to be opened in Australia, in 1962. However, it was originally only a short road.

[[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]] has the most extensive major arterial (freeway) network in the country, including tollways.

===Highways=== {{main|Highways in Australia}} There is an [[National Highway (Australia)|Australian national highway network]] linking the capital cities of each state and other major cities and towns. The national highway network is partly financed by the [[Government of Australia|Australian Federal Government]], but the bulk of funding comes from the individual states. It is the most important and relied on piece of driving instruction in Australia. The main coastal road around the coast of Australia is Highway 1. This road that circumnavigates the mainland is 14,500 km long, called the "Big Lap" is a major tourist route with desired scenic spots and is considered one of the longest roads in the world. It connects through all of the capital cites except Canberra, the way it's a big long loop around Australia makes it iconic. Many tourists come through this route to see the scenic routes coast of Australia. Because most of Australians are situated around the coast of the mainland, this route takes advantage of that. Highway 1 also exists in the island of Tasmania going through it. There is also the Great ocean road, which is a prime tourist attraction along the south eastern coast and its considered one of the world's largest war memorial

A87 is a highway that goes through the center of Australia, Connecting through the Northern Territories with South Australia provinces. it notability has the city of Alice springs along its route. There is also the Great ocean road, which is a prime tourist attraction along the south eastern coast. Each Australian state government maintains its own network of roads connecting most of the towns in the state. Highways and major roads include [[Metroad]]s, [[Highways in Australia#National Route Numbering System|National Routes]], [[Highways in Australia#State Route Numbering System|State Routes]] and routes numbered according to the [[Highways in Australia#Alphanumeric Route Numbering System|Alphanumeric Route Numbering System]].

Some highways in remote areas of Australia are not [[Pavement (material)|sealed]] for high traffic volumes and are not suitable for the whole range of weather conditions. Following heavy rains they may be closed to traffic.

===Minor roads=== [[File:Australia road sign W5-29.svg|thumb|right|Yellow and black warning signs for [[kangaroo]]s are common in Australia.]] [[Local government in Australia|Local governments]] maintain the vast majority of minor roads in rural areas and streets in towns and suburbs.

====Urban==== Urban minor roads in Australia are generally sealed, have a 50 km/h speed limit and most are illuminated at night by street lighting.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.lighting.philips.com.au/au/en/Portal?xml=applications/app&fldr_id=93&fid=3557 | title = Minor Roads Lighting Solutions | publisher = [[Philips|Philips Electronics]] | accessdate = 18 February 2007}}</ref>

====Rural==== Many rural roads are not sealed but are built with a gravel base or simply graded clear and maintained from the available earth.

====Outback==== [[File:Connie Sue Hwy.jpg|thumb|[[Connie Sue Highway]] on the [[Nullarbor Plain]] after heavy rain]] Driving on minor [[outback]] roads off a sealed road can be dangerous, and motorists are generally advised to take precautions such as: *seeking local advice *ensuring that someone is aware of your travel plans *remaining with vehicle in case of a breakdown *awareness of animals such as [[kangaroos]], especially at night *travelling with an adequate supply of drinking water

Failure to observe these precautions can result in death.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.outback-australia-travel-secrets.com/australian-outback-survival.html | title = Australian Outback Survival | publisher = Outback Australia Travel Guide | accessdate = 18 February 2007}}</ref> Much of Australians outback is in the mostly unpopulated area in the center of the Australian mainland. much of the outback roads are unmaintained or unpaved dirt roads. With potentially high heat in the summer, muddy ground after rainfall, and distance from services, it is often advised not to travel these rugged routes without caution.

===Ferries=== The [[Spirit of Tasmania]] is a service operated by TT-Line with two ocean-going ferries providing a "road" link between Tasmania and the mainland. There is also a [[Searoad]] ferry service across the opening of [[Port Phillip]] connecting [[Sorrento, Victoria|Sorrento]] and [[Queenscliff, Victoria|Queenscliff]]. [[Kangaroo Island]] is connected to [[Cape Jervis]] by the [[Kangaroo Island SeaLink|SeaLink]] service.

Many of the [[Murray River crossings|road crossings]] over the lower [[Murray River]] are provided by government-operated cable ferries.

==Road rules and regulation==

===Economic regulation=== Although trucks had played important local carriage tasks since their introduction to Australia, it was not until the 1970s that improved highways and larger trucks allowed the rapid development of long haul operations and intense competition with rail transport. This situation led to the industry disturbances (see section Costs and funding above) on the causes of which the Commission of Enquiry into the NSW freight industry reported.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=744312076627561;res=IELENG |title=Transportation Conference 1981: Preprints of Papers - Road/Rail Rationalisation, Transport Regulation, and Section 92: Findings of the Commission of Enquiry into the NSW Freight Transport Industry (Engineering Collection) - Informit |journal = Transportation Conference 1981: Preprints of Papers|page = 87|publisher=Search.informit.com.au |accessdate=2015-02-19|year = 1981|last1 = McDonell|first1 = G. J.}}</ref> The Enquiry made a series of recommendations for reform involving economic principles, legal provisions, financing, economic regulation and safe operating conditions but found that effective action could not be taken at the State level. It would require re-examination of the central issue of freedom of interstate transport as embodied in [[Section 92 of the Constitution of Australia]], and the development of appropriate national responses. With this basis, the National Freight Inquiry,<ref>{{cite book|url=http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/2851554 |title=National Road Freight Industry Inquiry report, September 1984 / Thomas E. May, chairman; Gordon Mil... | National Library of Australia |publisher=Catalogue.nla.gov.au |accessdate=2015-02-19|isbn=9780644035644 |year=1984 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bitre.gov.au/publications/83/files/OP059.pdf |accessdate=8 April 2010 |title=Overview of Australian Road Freight Industry:Submission to National Inquiry 1983 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091001141154/http://www.bitre.gov.au/publications/83/Files/OP059.pdf |archivedate=1 October 2009 }}</ref> completed a comprehensive survey of the national industry with major proposals. This resulted in long running development of new governance arrangements and policy for economic regulation of both road and rail freight transport. As a result, following the cooperative Federalism initiative of the 1990s, these matters are the responsibility of the National Transport Commission,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ntc.gov.au |title=National Transport Commission |publisher=NTC |accessdate=2015-02-19}}</ref> within the general oversight of the Australian Transport Council of Ministers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.atcouncil.gov.au/ |title=Welcome to the ATC Website |access-date=20 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100203155424/http://www.atcouncil.gov.au/ |archive-date=3 February 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Operating regulation=== [[File:Tasman Highway at sunset, Hobart, Tasmania.jpg|thumb|Tasman Highway in [[Hobart]], Tasmania]] {{main|Australian Road Rules|Speed limits in Australia}} Vehicles in Australia are [[right-hand drive]], and vehicles travel on the left side of the road. The laws for all levels of government, have been mostly [[Australian Road Rules|harmonised]] so that drivers do not need to learn different rules as they cross state borders.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.transport.sa.gov.au/publications/road_rules/index.asp |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20021227065101/http://www.transport.sa.gov.au/publications/road_rules/index.asp |url-status = dead |archive-date = 27 December 2002 |title = Australian Road Rules |accessdate = 3 February 2007 |publisher = [[South Australia]]n Department for Transport Energy and Infrastructure }}</ref> The [[Speed limits in Australia|usual speed limits]] are 100 km/h outside of urban areas (110 km/h on some roads where signposted). Major routes in built up areas are 80 km/h and 60 km/h, with streets generally limited to 50 km/h, often not separately signposted. Until the end of 2006, major highways in the [[Northern Territory]] had no speed limit, but now the maximum speed there is 130 km/h where signposted on the [[Stuart Highway|Stuart]], [[Barkly Highway|Barkly]], [[Victoria Highway|Victoria]] and [[Arnhem Highway|Arnhem]] Highways, with a default of 110 km/h on all other rural roads where not otherwise signposted.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.saferroaduse.nt.gov.au/changestoroadrules.html |title = Changes to road rules on 1 January 2007 |accessdate = 3 February 2007 |publisher = [[Government of the Northern Territory]] |url-status = dead |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070205043351/http://www.saferroaduse.nt.gov.au/changestoroadrules.html |archivedate = 5 February 2007 |df = dmy-all }}</ref>

Speed limits are enforced with [[Road safety camera|mobile and fixed cameras]] as well as mobile [[radar gun]]s operated by [[police]] and state road authorities such as [[VicRoads]]. Heavy transport operators must record their driving time in a log book and take regular rest periods and are limited in how long they can drive without longer sleeping time.

If two roads with two lanes each way meet at a [[roundabout]], the roundabout is marked with two lanes as well. Traffic turning left must use the left lane, and traffic turning right must approach in and use the right lane, travelling clockwise around the island in the centre. Traffic going straight through may generally use either lane. Vehicles must indicate their intended direction when approaching the roundabout, and indicate left when passing the exit before the one they intend to leave on. Vehicles entering the roundabout must give way to vehicles already on it.

===Licensing=== {{Main|Driving licence in Australia}} Typically, the first stage of licensing is gaining a learners permit. The minimum age to get this in most states is 16, and it requires:

* passing a test of knowledge of the road rules * special [[L plate]]s to be displayed, typically displaying a black L on a yellow background *reduced blood alcohol limits compared to unrestricted drivers (acceptable BAC varies by state) *a fully licensed driver to be in the car with the learner at all times, who must also be under the legal alcohol limit (0.05 BAC in most states) * some states will impose maximum speeds for learner drivers (for instance, New South Wales learners are limited to 90 km/h) * There is No requirement for professional training during the Learning or Probationary licensing periods.

After a set period of time (usually between three and twelve months), and often a certain number of hours practice, the learner driver is eligible to apply for their licence. In most states, there's also an age limit (which ranges from 16 ½ to 18, depending on state). In most states, including NSW, QLD, WA, Tas and ACT, the limit is 17. This process typically involves a practical driving test and a computerised test involving a hazard perception section and possibly some multiple choice questions. The first licence is a restricted licence known as a probationary licence or provisional licence', which typically lasts for up to three years. These drivers must display special plates (design differs across states but may be a white P on a red background, or a red or green P on a white background). This has earned them the name P Platers. Some restrictions placed on these drivers include (dependent on state):

*Reduced blood alcohol limits compared to unrestricted drivers (acceptable BAC varies by state). *Automatic transmission only if licence test taken in an automatic vehicle.<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 March 2023 |title=Licence conditions and requirements |url=https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/licences/licence-and-permit-types/licence-conditions |access-date=27 April 2023 |website=VicRoads}}</ref> *Limits on power/performance of cars (certain states only). *Fewer [[demerit point]]s to be accrued before licence is suspended. *Speed limitations (certain states only).

[[File:Road Train Australia.jpg|thumb|Road train of fuel tankers, [[Northern Territory]] ]] Some states have a two-stage probationary licensing system, where the first year of a licence has extra restrictions (and often a different coloured plate) to the later years.

Special licences exist for:

* Cars (which typically enables people to drive a car with up to 12 seats, and up to 4.5 tonnes [[Gross Vehicle Mass|GVM]]) * Light Rigid trucks and buses * Medium Rigid trucks and buses * Heavy Rigid trucks * Heavy Combination trucks * Multi Combination trucks (B-doubles and road trains) * Motorcycles

Heavy vehicle class licences require drivers to have experience at lighter licence classes. In some states, a car licence is acceptable for motorcycles with limited engine capacity.

==Vehicles==

===Cars=== [[File:2017 Holden Commodore (VF II MY17) SV6 sedan (2018-10-01) 01.jpg|thumb|right|[[Holden Commodore VF]]]] Five manufacturers have previously manufactured cars in Australia, all of which ceased local production in or prior to 2017. All were subsidiaries of international companies, but manufactured models designed specifically for the Australian market. They were: * [[Ford Australia|Ford]]: [[Ford Falcon (Australia)|Falcon]], [[Ford Laser|Laser]] and [[Ford Territory (Australia)|Territory]] * [[Holden]]: [[Holden Commodore|Commodore]], [[Holden Caprice|Statesman/Caprice]], [[Holden Cruze|Cruze]] * [[Mitsubishi]]: [[Mitsubishi Colt|Colt]], [[Mitsubishi Sigma|Sigma]], [[Mitsubishi Magna|Magna/Verada]], [[Mitsubishi 380|380]] * [[Nissan]]: [[Nissan Bluebird|Bluebird]], [[Nissan Pulsar|Pulsar]], [[Nissan Pintara|Pintara]] * [[Toyota Australia|Toyota]]: [[Toyota Camry|Camry]], [[Toyota Corolla|Corolla]] and [[Toyota Aurion|Aurion]]

The distance travelled by car in Australia is amongst the highest in the world, behind the [[United States]] and [[Canada]]. In 2003, the average distance travelled per person by car was 12,730 km.<ref name="transtats"/>

Introduction of airbags and ESC into the Australian car market:

Frontal airbags were introduced on Australian market around the 1990s. By 2006, airbag was a standard feature for around 90% of new cars. In 2014, around 80% of the national car fleet had a driver's airbag, and more than 50% a passenger airbag.<ref name="bitre.gov.au">{{cite web|url=https://www.bitre.gov.au/publications/2015/files/is_068.pdf |title=data |publisher=bitre.gov.au |date=2015 |accessdate=2019-10-29}}</ref> It is estimated that frontal airbags reduce fatalities by 20% and side airbags by 51%.<ref name="bitre.gov.au"/>

Electronic Stability Control(ESC)began to be sold as a standard feature in Australia from 1999. ESC was mandated for all new passenger cars in 2013 and was mandated for all new light commercial vehicles by 2017. It is estimated that around 29 per cent of the light vehicle fleet was equipped with a form of ESC by 2014. It is considered that ESC reduces fatalities by 53% in some crashes.<ref name="bitre.gov.au"/>

===Trucks=== [[File:Red B-double truck.jpg|thumb|B-double truck on the [[Sturt Highway]] ]] {{main|semi-trailer truck|road train}} Most long-haul road freight is carried on [[Road train#B-double|B-double]] [[semi-trailer truck|semi-trailer]]s. These trucks typically have a total of 9 axles and two [[Articulated vehicle|articulation]] points .{{citation needed|date=April 2009}} Normal semi- trailers usually {{Clarify|date=April 2009}} have a tri-axle [[semi-trailer|trailer]] towed by a twin-drive [[Prime mover (tractor unit)|prime mover]]. In the remote areas of the north and west, {{Clarify|date=April 2009}} three- and four-trailer [[road train]]s are used for general freight, fuel, livestock and mineral ores. Two-trailer road trains are allowed closer to populated areas, especially for bulk grain and general freight.{{citation needed|date=April 2009}}

From July 2007, the Federal and State governments approved B-triple trucks that are allowed only to operate on a designated network of roads .{{citation needed|date=April 2009}} A B-Triple is said to carry the load of five semi-trailers.{{citation needed|date=April 2009}} B-Triples are set up differently from conventional road trains. The front of their first trailer is supported by the turntable on the prime mover. The second and third trailers are supported by turntables on the trailers in front of them. As a result, B-Triples are much more stable than road trains and handle exceptionally well.{{citation needed|date=April 2009}}

The largest road transport companies are [[Linfox]] and [[Toll Group|Toll]], but there are many others, including owner-drivers with only their own truck.{{citation needed|date=April 2009}}

===Buses=== :''Main category: [[:Category:Bus transport in Australia|Bus transport in Australia]]''

[[File:Transperth 2018 Volgren Optimus bodied Volvo B7RLE diesel Rt. 502.jpg|right|thumb|Buses provide an essential link providing public transport in Australia]]

Buses in Australia provide a variety of services, generally in one or more of the following categories: * '''route services''', following a fixed route and a published timetable, operated by government or private companies * '''school services''', transporting students to and from school, often under a government-subsidised scheme * '''long distance services''', providing intrastate and interstate travel between major towns and cities * '''tourist services''', operating one-day and extended tours to popular destinations * '''charter services''', offering buses for hire to transport like-minded people to a chosen destination * '''shuttle services''', providing point-to-point transport, e.g. airport to hotels * '''private vehicles''', maintained by companies, schools, churches or other organisations to transport their members.

Many aspects of the bus industry are heavily controlled by government. These controls may include age and condition of the bus, driver licensing and working hours, fare structure, routes and frequency of services.

=== Trams === [[File:E.6003 bourke, 2014.JPG|thumbnail|Trams in Melbourne]] {{main|Trams in Australia|}} {{see also|Trams in Adelaide|Trams in Brisbane|Trams in Melbourne|Trams in Sydney|}} [[Trams]] were used in most Australian cities until the early 1960s. The [[Trams in Melbourne|Melbourne tram system]] is the largest in the world and remains an integral part of inner city commuting. Their [[Streetcar|car]]s intersect with others and large volumes of commuters have ready access to this form of transport. Tram and [[light rail]] systems are being reintroduced to some cities, such as the [[Light rail in Sydney|network in Sydney]]. The only remaining tram route in [[Adelaide]] is the [[Glenelg tram line]], which was extended through the CBD in 2007 and again in 2009. At the [[Gold Coast, Queensland|Gold Coast]] a thirteen kilometre [[G:link|light rail system]] opened between Broadbeach and the [[Gold Coast University Hospital]] in 2014, and was extended seven kilometres to [[Helensvale railway station]] in 2017.

===Motorcycles=== Motorcycles account for around 3% of vehicles in Australia.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/rsc/1993cycle/ch2.htm | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20020827091614/http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/rsc/1993cycle/ch2.htm | url-status = dead | archive-date = 27 August 2002 | title = Motorcycle Use in Victoria | accessdate = 3 February 2007 | publisher = [[Parliament of Victoria]] }}</ref>

===Bicycles=== :''Main category: [[:Category:Cycling in Australia|Cycling in Australia]]'' {{more citations needed section|date=November 2015}} In the late-19th and early-20th centuries - the bicycle was used extensively in the [[outback]] and countryside of Australia as an economical means of transport. In the urban areas the bicycle found wide usage where workers were living in reasonable proximity to their places of work - this can be seen in the extent of bicycle racks at [[Midland Railway Workshops]] for example.

Over a third of the population ride a bike at least once a year and over half of all households have at least one working bicycle.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.onlinepublications.austroads.com.au/items/AP-C91-13 |title=Australian Cycling Participation 2013 |date=2013 |publisher=Austroads |accessdate=22 November 2015}}</ref> They are used for recreation, exercise and commuting. Most cities have developed bicycle usage strategies, while some, such as [[Canberra]] and [[Perth]] have extensively promoted bicycle usage and constructed an extensive network of cycleways that can be used by cyclists to travel large distances across the city. The recreational use of bicycles has been supported by local and state governments producing publications and websites that encourage recreational and more lately utility usage. Considerable numbers of tourists and enthusiasts use road and off-road routes that have been marked or signed for bicycle tours. Good examples are the [[Mawson Trail]] in South Australia and the [[Munda Biddi Trail]] in [[Western Australia]].

=== Electric vehicles === {{Excerpt|Plug-in electric vehicles in Australia}}

==Safety== {{multiple image |direction = vertical |width = 150 |footer = and safety sign on rear |image1 = B double yass truck stop.JPG |caption1 = [[B-Train|B double]] |image2 = Long vehicle warning sign on b double.JPG }} Road transport safety in Australia is of a moderate to high standard. In 2018, fatalities is in the mean of the 30 OECD countries.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.bitre.gov.au/publications/ongoing/international_road_safety_comparisons.aspx | title=International Road Safety Comparisons—Annual| date=20 September 2018}}</ref> Road quality, safety barriers and other safety features are of a moderate level in urban areas and of a high standard on new roads; however in regional areas and on some major highways, road quality can be severely affected by lack of funding for maintenance{{Citation needed|reason=based on what? no information provided, what exactly is "moderate" and varies greatly by state|date=April 2014}}. Speed is limited to around 100 km/h on most highways.

In 2019, the number of people killed on Australian roads is estimated at 1,188 travelers that is 4.7% more than in 2018. This makes 4.7 travelers killed per 100,000 population<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 2019 |title=Road deaths Australia |url=https://www.bitre.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/rda_dec_2019.pdf |website=Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics}}</ref>

Vehicle safety is to a high standard. Many motorists cannot afford newer vehicles and as a result, the second-hand car market is quite large in Australia. There are many older model vehicles and while they require a [[Road Worthy Certificate]] (RWC) to ensure basic operation is sound, only newer vehicles have safety features such as crumple zones, air bags, etc. Seat belt usage is very high and Australia was the first country to make seatbelt use compulsory by law in 1970.

Several efforts have been made at educating the mass population about road safety, the most prominent and successful being the [[Victoria (Australia)|Victorian]] state [[Transport Accident Commission]] (TAC) road safety advertisements, which began in the late-1980s in print and television, which often depicted horrific and graphic road accidents initiated by various causes such as speed, alcohol and drug use, distraction, fatigue and many others. The TAC ads were very effective and reduced the death toll drastically. The method was subsequently adopted elsewhere in Australia and around the world.

Speed limits have been progressively reduced in urban streets, from 60 km/h to 50 km/h and more recently, to 40 km/h near schools, in built up areas and shopping strips. This is to ensure safer stopping distances to minimise/reduce pedestrian injuries and casualties.

Safety varies between remoteness area, from a rate of 2.64 in major cities in 2016, to a rate of 34.58 in remote areas<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bitre.gov.au/publications/ongoing/files/International_2016_III.pdf |title=Info |publisher=bitre.gov.au |date=2016 |accessdate=2019-10-29}}</ref>

In 1992, first National Road Safety Strategy was established by federal, state and territory transport Ministers.<ref name="roadsafety.gov.au">{{cite web | url=https://www.roadsafety.gov.au/rsa/ |title = Road safety in Australia}}</ref>

The 2001–2010 Australian safe-system strategy, achieved a fatality reduction rate of 34% for a reduction target of 40%.<ref name="roadsafety.gov.au"/>

===Pedestrian safety===

75.8% of fatal pedestrian crashes involved passenger cars or light commercial vehicles, between 2009 and 2013,<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web|url=https://www.bitre.gov.au/publications/2015/files/is_070.pdf |title=data |publisher=bitre.gov.au |date=2015 |accessdate=2019-10-29}}</ref> and pedestrians older than 75 have the highest pedestrian fatality rate of any age group.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

===Fatality risk===

An Australian study of the risk of deaths once the accident occurred found various possible factors.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bitre.gov.au/publications/2018/files/is_97.pdf |title=Data |publisher=bitre.gov.au |date=2018 |accessdate=2019-10-29}}</ref> This study concludes that the risk of death is higher in rural area.

This study use the notion of [[odds ratio]]: {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Risk factor ! Odd ratio ! Risk factor (%) ! Comment |- | Rural (vs Urban) || 1.91 || 91% || higher risk in rural zone than in urban zone |- | Sex (Male vs Woman)|| 1.28 || 28% || higher risk for a male than a female |- | driver no restraint || 12.02 || || higher risk for without restraint driver than a driver with restraint |- | passenger no restraint || 13.02 || || higher risk for without restraint passenger than a driver with restraint |- | 70 km/h (vs 60 km/h) || 1.25 || 25% || risk of being killed is 25% higher at 70 km/h speed limit rather than at 60 km/h speed limit |- | Manufacture date || 0.82 || −18% || A car built in 2010 is safer than a car built in 2000 |}

==Road naming== Each state has independent systems for the naming of roads. Roads in New South Wales are named in accordance with section 162 of [[Roads Act 1993 (New South Wales)|The Roads Act 1993]]. Australian Standards AS 1742.5 - 1986 and AS 4212 - 1994 provide a list of road suffixes (such as Alley, Circle, Mall, Street) which are routinely accepted by the [[Geographical Names Board of New South Wales|Geographical Names Board]].<ref name="Road names NSW">{{cite web|url=http://www.gnb.nsw.gov.au/info/road_naming_guideline.pdf |accessdate=16 May 2007 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060819080832/http://gnb.nsw.gov.au/info/road_naming_guideline.pdf |archivedate=19 August 2006 |title=Guidelines for the Naming of Roads }}</ref>

==Authorities== The Federal Government has had a number of statutory authorities relative to roads including: - * Australian Transport Council * National Transport Commission * National Heavy Vehicle Regulator<ref>[https://www.nhvr.gov.au/ Home] National Heavy Vehicle Regulator</ref>

State governments have been co-ordinated through: - * [[Austroads]] (formerly the National Association of Australian State Road Authorities).

The state authorities are: *New South Wales: [[Transport for NSW]] *Queensland: [[Department of Transport & Main Roads]] *South Australia: [[Department for Infrastructure & Transport]] *Tasmania: [[Department of State Growth]] *Victoria: [[VicRoads]] *Western Australia: [[Main Roads Western Australia]]

==Notes== {{Notelist}}

==References== {{reflist}}

==Further reading== * Documents, Australian Transport Council * {{Cite book |last=Fitzpatrick |first=Jim |title=The bicycle and the bush: man and machine in rural Australia |location=Melbourne |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=0-19-554231-2 |year=1980}} * {{Cite book |last=Hemmings|first= Leigh |title=Bicycle touring in Australia|location=East Roseville, N.S.W. |publisher=Simon & Schuster |isbn=0-7318-0197-0 |year=1991}} * National Association of Australian State Road Authorities (1987) ''Bush track to highway : 200 years of Australian roads'' Sydney. {{ISBN|0-85588-207-7}} * {{Cite book |last=Veith|first=Gary|title=Guide to traffic engineering practice. Part 14, Bicycles |publisher=Austroads|isbn=0-85588-438-X |year=1999}}

==External links== *{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20150928172858/http://detailed-map-of-australia.atlas-map.com/ Map with roads in Australia]}} *[https://infrastructure.gov.au/roads/vehicle_regulation/ Vehicle Regulation] *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEIpW0OwQXU 'Highways Challenge'] - Film from c.1957 advocating improvements to roads

{{DEFAULTSORT:Road Transport in Australia}} [[Category:Road transport in Australia| ]]