PATREC Research

Project Completed

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Realtime model to estimate delays at traffic signals

This project will develop a pilot model that utilises secondary datasets (e.g. signal timing data) within Main Roads Western Australia to estimate overall delay at intersections in real-time.
Real-time information, especially delay time at intersections, is valuable for traffic operations but is not readily available and costly to procure. Existing data sources that Main Roads has access to do not currently provide this information at a useful level of accuracy.

Such a model would allow Main Roads to determine the delay at a network, intersection, or at an approach level, while not requiring any additional sensor equipment or expensive data licensing agreements. It would inform decisions relating to network operational strategies and road project development.

Find more information on iMOVE website:

Defining transport disadvantage in Perth

The provision of transport infrastructure and services plays a critical role in connecting communities to essential services, as well as to employment and social activities. A lack of access to transport can lead to disadvantage in many forms and can be influenced by many variables.
To better understand transport disadvantage in Greater Perth this project will involve a literature review and stakeholder interviews to identify and apply locally relevant indicators to guide the estimation of the extent, spatial distribution, and nature of transport disadvantage in the Greater Perth region.

Drawing on the findings, an overview of how transport disadvantage is affecting travel decisions will be provided. Recomendations for further action by all levels of government and other key service providers will be developed, with the aim of building upon existing approaches to address areas of need.

The recommendations will identify the potential for new and research-informed initiatives that builds upon existing approaches and local experience contributing to addressing the needs of the beneficiaries (i.e. transport users, governments and community).

Find more information on iMOVE website:

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Improving roundabout modelling using drone video analytics

This project proposes the development of evidence-based parameter estimation methods to improve Main Roads Western Australia’s roundabout modelling practice and operational guidelines by accounting for various local conditions such as geometry, topography, location type (residential, industrial, rural etc.), traffic mix, and seasonality, as well as driving behaviour. The data will be used to develop dedicated roundabout models for Aimsun at micro-, meso- and macroscopic levels.

Models play a vital role in supporting decision-making at both strategic and operational levels in the transport industry. In this project, we focus on roundabouts, where significant delays on arterial roads occur. Designers rely on traffic models to test design performance, so the quality of model predications directly affects the quality of roundabout design. Data is the foundation of modelling but conventional manual traffic surveys are deficient in both quality and quantity.

Although a wide range of sophisticated software tools for traffic modelling have been developed over the years, the lack of abundant high-quality data hinders model calibration, validation, and continuous development to account for changing driving behaviour and local conditions.

This project addresses both quality and quantity problems in traffic data by applying the latest drone video analytics technology developed by University of Western Australia (UWA) researchers to inform and improve roundabout modelling.

Find more information on iMOVE website:

Optimising video analytics for traffic data collection and calibration incorporating fixed camera videos

Main Roads Western Australia has been working with the University of Western Australia (UWA) to develop video analytics (VA) software for processing and analysing drone videos to gather and auto-calibrate critical traffic data for network optimisation, such as vehicle counts and trajectories, delay, saturation flow, queue length, back-of-queue arrival rate, and gap acceptance. The evolving research has been supported by Main Roads through a series of projects.

This project will further develop the capability by integrating processing of videos recorded by fixed cameras, already in place and in use on the road network. Fixed cameras can complement drones in areas with flight restrictions or severe occlusions caused by the environment. They can also record videos with much longer duration. The main objectives are faster processing time, more robust algorithms to deal with occlusions, and more accurate data.

Find more information on iMOVE website:

Supporting the future road freight task in North-West WA

This research will provide insights into the transport infrastructure needed to ensure the road freight transport network can continue to support the substantial freight task in Australia’s North-West, now and into the future.
The project is intended to update freight movement forecasts with associated road freight network implications for Australia’s North-West, focusing on the Pilbara and Kimberley regions.

Given significant changes in the resources industry landscape since previous forecasts undertaken in 2011, there is a need to account for substantial increases in the inbound logistics demand due to growth in the iron ore sector and resulting construction-related activities, as well as future trends in commodities and renewable energy industries.

Accordingly, this research aims to understand current and future flows of freight, based on an analysis of future trends in mining, oil and gas and renewable energy industries, and impacts on the road freight network.

Analysing future trends of freight movement in relation to current capacity of the road system, this study will identify potential constraints on the network and propose strategic options to support planned development.