26 Speed Cameras in the Brisbane Airport Link Tunnel !!!!!!!!!

[csv8]

THE operators of Brisbane Airport Link have gone out of their way to avoid the mistakes made by RiverCity Motorway in an effort to attract motorists who have shunned the Clem7, tipping the company into receivership.

From the number of speed signs to the top-of-the-range broadcast and sprinkler systems, BrisConnections chief executive Ray Wilson is confident everything has been thought of to give Airportlink the best chance of success.

A Sunday night-Monday morning opening is now expected as the final touches are made to the $4.8 billion project the biggest of its kind in Australia.

Dr Wilson said it was a "technological marvel" and promised it would be it easier to negotiate than the Clem7.

"The really big learning we've taken from Clem is signage around the entries and exits and so forth," he said.

"You'll see around our tunnel, not only have we got the road patches that help people, our signage is much more effective in terms of sending you to the right location."


RESULTS: NEW TUNNEL
Thanks for voting!
Will you use the Airportlink tunnel?
Every day
6.57% (55 votes)
Every week
6.93% (58 votes)
Occasionally
32.97% (276 votes)
Not at all
21.51% (180 votes)
Only until they start charging
32.02% (268 votes)
Total votes: 837



Despite the presence of as many as 26 fixed-speed cameras in Airportlink, Dr Wilson said motorists would always be aware of the speed limit.

He said unlike the Clem7, which has only a few speed signs from start to finish resulting in a flood of fines for users, variable speed signs were located every 120m in Airportlink.

"Speed cameras are there for safety and safety only," Dr Wilson said. "They're there in accordance with the protocols police have."My translation..revenue raising.

Once opened, the tunnel is expected to make a significant difference to traffic volumes on roads such as Lutwyche and Bowen Bridge roads and O'Connell Tce.

However, other roads where traffic enters or exits the tunnel are forecast to experience increased congestion.

These include Stafford and Gympie roads, Brookes St and the East West Arterial.

Dr Wilson said time savings for users would amount to "tens of billions of dollars" over the next 40 years.

"This project will reduce people's waste time, vehicle operating costs and so on."

Independent assessments of travel times through Airportlink have found motorists could save as much as 16 minutes on the trip from Bowen Hills to Toombul, reducing the journey from 21 minutes to only five.

Even residents who have been severely inconvenienced by the nearly four-year construction program were yesterday keen to drive through.

Brian Nally, from the Kalinga-Wooloowin Residents Association, said he was looking forward to the benefits the infrastructure would bring to Brisbane's northside.

"I hope they get the take-up they're expecting," Mr Nally said. "I'll be disappointed if the community has endured all this pain if there's no substantial benefit."

The Airportlink is toll free for three months, then discounted for 12 months.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/busine...-1226431233830

[falconnut]

Talk about overkill and shooting fish in a barrel, no way in HELL will i ever use toll roads.

[TheInterceptor]

"Speed cameras are there for safety and safety only," .....the saftey of Govco's income stream...

[H.G]

wont catch me though... if they put a toll on that road then Ill be telling everyone if they want me to pick them up.. Ill meet them in the city
rather than spend all the money in the cities... spending far too much on city infrastructure and not enough on country enhancements. millions to save people a few minutes drive or millions to save peoples lives.. its really that simple.

[2011G6E]

People in Australia rightly do not generally like the idea of a toll road...when will these idiots get that into thier thick heads?
Given the amount of taxes we pay through car rego, fuel tax, and other charges, the public quite rightly sighs and says "Isn't it enough we pay for the use of the roads all these other ways?"

I remember the first toll road I ever saw, the motorway on the sunshine coast back in the late eighties I think? I believe it was the first toll road in Queensland, and it certainly wasn't popular. We used to go to the Sunshine Coast a fair bit, and when we went down there for holidays, we made sure we avoided the toll road and took the other ways down to Maroochydore and other areas. Then we found ourselves on the motorway after taking a wrong exit, and my missus frantically dug around in her purse for the "correct change" that the sign demanded. As we approached the area, we noticed a hand painted sign by the road saying "Follow the yellow ribbons", and then a memory tweaked in my head about a campaign by locals against the toll road.
On light poles along the highway, about ten feet off the ground, wwas a series of yellow ribbons tied around them. Following them down an off-ramp, we found ourselves back down amongst some residential housing, then around a roundabout, then along a good bitumen road through cane fields beside the motorway (where we could look up and see the empty toll booths as all traffic was taking this route), and popped back up onto the motorway at an on-ramp about a kilometer past the booths!

Soon after they closed the toll booths, then eventually removed them altogether, and now where they were is merely a widened pull-off area of the motorway. Great stuff and a good example of people power!

[rancidpunx]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

I remember the first toll road I ever saw, the motorway on the sunshine coast back in the late eighties I think? I believe it was the first toll road in Queensland, and it certainly wasn't popular. We used to go to the Sunshine Coast a fair bit, and when we went down there for holidays, we made sure we avoided the toll road and took the other ways down to Maroochydore and other areas. Then we found ourselves on the motorway after taking a wrong exit, and my missus frantically dug around in her purse for the "correct change" that the sign demanded. As we approached the area, we noticed a hand painted sign by the road saying "Follow the yellow ribbons", and then a memory tweaked in my head about a campaign by locals against the toll road.
On light poles along the highway, about ten feet off the ground, wwas a series of yellow ribbons tied around them. Following them down an off-ramp, we found ourselves back down amongst some residential housing, then around a roundabout, then along a good bitumen road through cane fields beside the motorway (where we could look up and see the empty toll booths as all traffic was taking this route), and popped back up onto the motorway at an on-ramp about a kilometer past the booths!

Soon after they closed the toll booths, then eventually removed them altogether, and now where they were is merely a widened pull-off area of the motorway. Great stuff and a good example of people power!

Good stuff, shame people would be to lazy to do that sort of thing now, plus the designers specifically think these things through now. From Brisbane Airport, traffic is going to be funnelled into the tunnel. Just about every visitor will end up in there as the signing is misleading unless you know where your going. Follow the signs to the city and you end up in the tunnel.

[Bucknaked]

26 Camera's.

[jpd80]

Clem 7 is an example of what happens when operators and the government try to scalp motorists.

Like many others here, I'm opposed to dynamic speed signs and cameras in these tunnels,
there's no need for them as the traffic should govern that variability in speed, not a speed board.

I look forward with interest as to what actual effect these so called safety cameras have on this cash cow...
If the public feel they are being conned or ripped off, then they will stop using Airport link until changes are made.

[66GT]

Hey 2011G6E - I to got stung on the Sunshine Coast tollway once, then found the way home using the yellow ribbons.

[flappist]

People power is the only weapon. Don't use the airport link and hit them where it hurts, in the bank book.....

[DJM83]

It will be another white elephant like the clem7 no one will use it anyway.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by DJM83

It will be another white elephant like the clem7 no one will use it anyway.

Oh people will use it but only until the first or second speeding ticket arrives in the mail...

This is really annoying because Clem 7 and Airport Link are two vital parts of improving Brisbane's roads
but these people think that motorists will allow themselves to be scalped are in for a rude shock
and as Flappist rightly pointed out, people power is the real weapon of choice for forcing change.

Simple message here:
Get rid of all those speed cameras in the tunnels or suffer bankruptcy.

[aussie muscle]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Simple message here:
Get rid of all those speed cameras in the tunnels or suffer bankruptcy.

Still, speeding in a crowded tunnel is not the same as opening up on a wide, deserted freeway or back road.

[TheSneakiness]

Originally Posted by DJM83

It will be another white elephant like the clem7 no one will use it anyway.

There's a bus route that goes from Garden City at Mount Gravatt through the Clem 7 to Chermside Shopping Centre.

I have been in the Clem 7 once in the last 12 months cause my son likes going through tunnels but geez for a 5 min drive it's bloody expensive.

I'll go through Airport Link once in the first three months while it's free but when they start stacking cash on going through I think I'll give it a miss.

[The Monty]

Ive used the Clem7 a few times now, its a bit expensive, but it does save time in heavy traffic. And although I have been through there quite a few times, I havent yet got a speeding ticket. But I guess that may have something to do with the fact I dont speed through a tunnel that has speed camera signs in it.....

[H.G]

it saves time... but for the price I just leave earlier .. these tolls are redonkulous...driven the clem 7 once.. juts so I could say I have.. cost me a packet... but the biggest rort of them all is if you dont buy an e toll tgizmo, and you juts want to pay as you go (like the old days) you have to buy from a servo at a much higher price. can you tell me the purpose of someone living nowhere near brisbane having a e toll gizmo? sure it doesnt cost you to have it sit there.. but it does seem pointless to have one when you use it maybe once (each way) a year..and then be penalized for it.

[Franco Cozzo]

How much is it to cross the Clem7?

Its about $11 each way for me to use Citylink to get to my aunty's place in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, its better paying that $11 than trying to go through the center of Melbourne and dealing with 50,000,000 traffic lights, intersections and just Melbourne in general.

[flappist]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

How much is it to cross the Clem7?

Its about $11 each way for me to use Citylink to get to my aunty's place in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, its better paying that $11 than trying to go through the center of Melbourne and dealing with 50,000,000 traffic lights, intersections and just Melbourne in general.

Unlike Melbourne Brisbane is really two virtual cities, one on each side of the river.
Other that commercial traffic and transiting tourists not many people actually ever travel to "the other side".

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by flappist

Unlike Melbourne Brisbane is really two virtual cities, one on each side of the river.
Other that commercial traffic and transiting tourists not many people actually ever travel to "the other side".

This, im outta north and rarely even go into the city anyway. Might try it when its free for shytes and giggles but after that i wont purely because i have no need

[rancidpunx]

Originally Posted by DJM83

This, im outta north and rarely even go into the city anyway. Might try it when its free for shytes and giggles but after that i wont purely because i have no need

I cant actually work out who will be using this new tunnel? If your on the far southside, inner southside west of East Brisbane or far northside you will use the gateway, inner north will be able to just use existing roads like rode road. City traffic is probably just as quick to use Kingsford Smith Drive so that only really leaves western suburbs, but there is no entry point. The only guys I could see it benefiting would be those around Lutwych and windsor etc.

[prydey]

not saying i'm a fan of toll roads, but if you compare the road infrastructure in adelaide with bris, syd or melb, we are a fair way behind. tolls aren't always a bad thing. at least you get roads built. (and they even go in both directions )

locals get upset when its referred to as a backwater or country town, but thems the facts.

[OzJavelin]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

How much is it to cross the Clem7?

Its about $11 each way for me to use Citylink to get to my aunty's place in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, its better paying that $11 than trying to go through the center of Melbourne and dealing with 50,000,000 traffic lights, intersections and just Melbourne in general.

Most of those 50,000,000 traffic lights are also red light and speed cameras as well ..

Maybe they should leave those 26 cameras off, and only turn on ones where accidents start occurring regularly .. If they really are safety devices?

If its anything like fixed cameras in Melbourne, most of the worse speedsters know where they are and just gun it between them ...

[GS608]

Why pay to use the Clem7 when the Gateway or ICB will get you where you want to go anyway? Every time I've been up around those parts I use the Gateway.

[TheSneakiness]

Originally Posted by JET270

Why pay to use the Clem7 when the Gateway or ICB will get you where you want to go anyway? Every time I've been up around those parts I use the Gateway.

Cause if you end up over the other side of the river via the bridge it costs you more than Clem 7?

[Kevaclone]

The Sunshine motorway Toll was stopped BUT those using the Gateway, IE. ME had to foot the bill as the toll on the bridge rose significantly, Like $0.50 which, back then was about a 30% increase, The Borbidge Govt only lasted one term by pulling stunts like that

The Clem 7 will save you bugger all time if you are heading to the SE Freeway, The ICB-Hale St-riverside expressway to SE Freeway takes around 5 mins, The Clem7 takes 4, and when you exit the tunnel in the afternoon you come to a halt a few Ks further up anyway, hardly worth the $4+

Airport link is supposed to be for those heading from the South West to the airport, they expect you to go Clem7 or Hale St/ICB into their tunnel.
I have traveled that way for years and it does take 20 minutes or so to do it, they say 5 mins to pop out at the gateway,

Don't forget the other tunnel from Western Freeway at Toowong will also link up and they claim a trip from Riverview to the Airport in 20mins and what's the bet there will be no Milton Road upgrade to funnel cars into the tunnel

Meh I travel from near Caboolture to underwood every day to work, takes me from 50mins to 1hr10m in the mornings and usually 1h10 in the arvo and no toll roads or that clogged up gateway

[Burnout]

I haven't used the Clem7 since the speed camera controversy..... Haven't missed thing. Can't see this new whats-a-name being of any use either.

[Kevaclone]

The problem with the speed cameras in the Clem7 stems from the distance apart the variable speed signs are

What happens is this
An incident or broken down car and they drop the speed to 40, so the people slow down to 40 and then once past the problem speed up to 80 again.
But, by law they should remain at 40 until they pass the next speed sign which can be almost 1klm further away. So they all get pinged for 80 in a 40 zone and lose their licence. Similar problem to SOME roadwork site where they have the 40kph 2 klms from the actual work site, and then can't work out why people don't slow down..........

Airport link claim 120m between their variable speed signs so the distance after an incident you need to do 40 should be no more than 120m

[prydey]

Originally Posted by Kevaclone

The problem with the speed cameras in the Clem7 stems from the distance apart the variable speed signs are

What happens is this
An incident or broken down car and they drop the speed to 40, so the people slow down to 40 and then once past the problem speed up to 80 again.
But, by law they should remain at 40 until they pass the next speed sign which can be almost 1klm further away. So they all get pinged for 80 in a 40 zone and lose their licence. Similar problem to SOME roadwork site where they have the 40kph 2 klms from the actual work site, and then can't work out why people don't slow down..........

Airport link claim 120m between their variable speed signs so the distance after an incident you need to do 40 should be no more than 120m

also, if an incident happens behind you, and the speed is dropped to 40, the first you know of it is when you approach the next speed sign which is already at 40 and speed camera in operation. of course they tell you there is meant to be a delay with the speed camera becoming operational but i'd trust them about as far as i could throw them. i would imagine this scenario has been rectified but i believe this is what happened when there was a bit of an uproar some months back.

[whynot]

The only time I use the CLEM7 is when taking my wife to and from the medical specialist. But, I do use the Grey Street Bridge quite a bit and more than happy to put my hand in my pocket when using it.

Yes, the speed camera fiasco has put me off using the CLEM7 more often. If the toll revenue verses speed camera revenue was coming out of the government pocket, I bet they would have a different approach to the issue.

But what is really irking me is the trouser leg design to force motorists into the tunnel. I think that the entrances to and from Gympie Rd at Kedron is just begging for accidents to occur.

Already, motorists travelling south at Gympie Rd in the right hand lane (blocked off waiting for the tunnel to open) are being “surprised” and doing panic changes into the middle lane.

And, it will be interesting to see the final road markings for northbound motorists. The current road markings indicate that right hand lane of the surface road has to merge with the left hand lane of the tunnel exit (most motorists really struggle with left hand lane merges). But the Airport Link video indicates that the solution will be to merge the two surface lanes into one left hand lane before the tunnel’s exit. That means that the three lanes effectively become one.

It will be similar to the fiasco at the Gateway near Nudgee, where six lanes of traffic (counting on ramps) have to squeeze into two lanes. I just cannot wait to sit in even bigger traffic jams all that way along Gympie Rd to Carseldine.

Off all the road issue that is presently plaguing Brisbane, I think the biggest “agro” generating issue is merging traffic. When I started driving, Brisbane drivers were generally cooperative with merging. Now, I see a lot of agro and bad behaviour. For example; drivers who drive on the medium strips to queue jump, drivers who cannot merge in turn, or drivers who fail to understand that the dotted lines mean they have to give way – but force themselves into the traffic without the simple courtesy of merging in turn. Which in turn, slows down the traffic even more. Now, if they had traffic cameras to monitor behaviour when merging, it would have my vote.

[H.G]

Originally Posted by whynot

Of all the road issue that is presently plaguing Brisbane, I think the biggest “agro” generating issue is merging traffic. When I started driving, Brisbane drivers were generally cooperative with merging. Now, I see a lot of agro and bad behaviour. For example; drivers who drive on the medium strips to queue jump, drivers who cannot merge in turn, or drivers who fail to understand that the dotted lines mean they have to give way – but force themselves into the traffic without the simple courtesy of merging in turn. Which in turn, slows down the traffic even more. Now, if they had traffic cameras to monitor behaviour when merging, it would have my vote.

that would be due to the influx of Cockroaches and victorians :P