02/11/2012

RACQ is calling on toll road operators to re-instate toll prices and improve payment details on south-east Queensland toll signs, following a review which found they lacked clarity and robbed motorists of choice.

RACQ has today released the findings and recommendations from its 2012 Toll Road Review, which assessed the quality of signage on toll roads across Australia, comparing signs on south-east Queensland toll roads to those in other states.

A team of experts from RACQ travelled on every toll road in Australia between March and September 2012 to assess the signs for:

• Frequency and location
• Clarity and visibility
• Provision of prices, payment conditions and contact details.

The motoring club’s Executive Manager Public Policy Michael Roth said motorists were being forced to make snap decisions on whether to use south-east Queensland toll roads without being provided with the pricing information required to make an informed choice.

“In contrast to toll roads in Sydney, every one of the five toll roads in Queensland lacks the pricing information motorists need to make an informed choice about whether to use the road,” Mr Roth said.

“South-east Queensland motorists are expected to weigh up whether the time they will save on a toll road is worth the money they will be charged without first being told the purchase price.

“As we used to see several years ago before all tolling went electronic, signs at toll road entries should clearly state the cost of the journey for passenger cars, which make up 80 percent of all toll road users.”

RACQ’s Toll Road Review also recommended that permanent, fixed “3 days to pay” signs be erected on the Go Between Bridge, Gateway and Logan motorways and AirportlinkM7.

“Given that there are no longer any roadside toll booths in south-east Queensland, clear information about how to pay the toll should be provided so motorists won’t miss the deadline and incur late payment fines,” Mr Roth said. “This is particularly important for visitors to Brisbane and other casual toll users who do not have a toll account.”

The review recommended that Queensland toll roads adopt the blue and gold colour scheme used on toll road signage in Melbourne, which was rated “very good” on clarity and visibility.

“The blue and gold colour scheme for toll roads provides a clear reminder that a toll will be charged,” Mr Roth said.  “This scheme should also be applied to existing pavement markings on the Clem7, the Go Between Bridge and Airportlink7.”

All toll roads in Australia scored fairly good ratings on the frequency of toll road signage but in Queensland the Clem7 and AirportlinkM7 were marked down because there was no signage in AirportlinkM7 advising the last exit before the Clem7 toll point.

“If we want to encourage more motorists to use the toll roads to ease traffic congestion, the toll roads should be made as user-friendly as possible, with clear, visible signs that provide all the necessary information,” he said.

RACQ’s 2012 Toll Road Review can be found at www.racq.com/tolls.