On this page you will find information on current projects and typical tram priority and safety improvements being implemented as part of the Think Tram Program.
As part of the Victorian Government's Keeping Melbourne Moving plan and the Think Tram program, plans are underway to improve tram travel times, reliability and safety on tram route 96 along Nicholson Street, between Victoria Parade and Holden Street/Brunswick Road.
Trams along Nicholson Street, the second busiest route in Melbourne, experience frequent and extended delays when vehicles make u-turns and right turns across the tram tracks. Vehicles waiting on tram tracks are a safety issue and 41 crashes involving trams in Nicholson Street were reported between July 1, 2007 and June 30, 2008.
The project 
The tram improvements planned for route 96, Nicholson Street between Victoria Parade and Brunswick Road/Holden Street have been developed to:
- improve safety and tram travel times by reducing the number of locations where vehicles can make right turns and u-turns across tram tracks
- provide opportunity for trams to travel through signalised intersections with less delay.
Thank you to all residents, businesses and other members of the community who provided feedback on the proposal. A map of the planned Nicholson Street Tram Improvements is now available. It is anticipated that construction will commence in early November.
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Following a detailed investigation into delays affecting trams, traffic congestion and safety issues for road users, VicRoads has developed an integrated project to improve tram travel times and improve pedestrian and cycling facilities in Kew.
Work on the following traffic improvements is now planned to commence in October 2009 and continue until mid February 2010.
A right turn ban will be introduced for traffic from High Street South into Barkers Road between 7:00am - 9.00am Monday to Friday to provide for improve tram travel times and reliablity on routes 24, 48 and 109. Drivers can turn right into Barkers Road from Denmark Street.
The existing southbound part-time tram lane in High Street South, which operates between 7:00am - 9:00am, Monday to Friday, will be upgraded with new electronic flashing signs and tram lane signs.
Electronic signs in High Street, Princess Street and Cotham Road will remind drivers in advance to use Denmark Street when the right turn ban into High Street South is in force.
New traffic signals including a pedestrian crossing will be installed at the intersection of Stevenson Street and Denmark Street to improve safety for all pedestrians and cyclists and for motorists turning into Denmark Street.
The right-turn lane in Denmark Street at Barkers Road will be extended to allow for increased traffic. Modifications to current car parking arrangements will also be implemented in this area.
A brochure with information and a map detailing the project is available in the More Information and Services section below.
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VicRoads has recently investigated safety issues and delays affecting trams on route 59. The intersections at Shamrock Street, Thorn Street and Marco Polo Street have been identified in a proposal for improvements. The proposal aims to:
- provide greater priority for trams at the three intersections
- reduce delays to trams caused by motor vehicles on tram tracks
- improve safety by reducing the potential for conflict between trams, vehicles and pedestrians
Thank you to all residents, businesses and other members of the community who provided feedback on the proposal. The design is currently under review and all feedback is being considered to determine the best solution. The community will be notified of the final decision.
A brochure with information and a map detailing the proposal is included in the More Information and Services section below.
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Tram priority and safety improvements:
Platform tram stops in the city have proven highly effective in providing passengers with easier and safer access to trams. Platform tram stops comply with the Disability Discrimination Act and offer the following benefits:
- Protecting passengers from traffic
- Ramps and raised platforms with same level access to low-floor trams
- Passenger shelters, seating and lighting
- Tram service information and screens that display when the next tram will arrive
- Large numbers of passengers can get on and off trams more quickly and as more platform tram stops are built, the reliability of tram services improves.
- Flinders Street at Spring Street (June 2008)
- Nicholson Street at Albert Street (June 2008)
- Flinders Street at Swanston Street (April 2008)
- Elizabeth Street at Victoria Street (November 2007).
- Bourke Street, Melbourne (November 2007). Bourke Street is the first street in Melbourne to have accessible tram stops along its entire length.
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Full-time tram lanes operate 24 hours a day. They are indicated by tram lane signs overhead and a solid yellow line alongside the tram tracks.
Raised dividing strips are sometimes used in place of yellow lines at many full-time tram lanes and help minimise delays to trams caused by vehicles travelling on the tram tracks. Safety is improved by providing a physical and visual separation between trams and vehicles which reduces confusion and potential conflicts between road users. Motorists may only cross a full time tram lane where there is a break in the raised dividing strip to make a right turn or a U-turn, but in doing so must not delay a tram.
Road Rule (rule 155)
- Drivers must not drive in a tram lane. If it is necessary to enter or leave the road or avoid an obstacle you may drive in a tram lane for up to 100 metres if you do not delay a tram. Penalty $233.64.
Road Rule (rule 137)
- It is illegal for drivers to cross a raised dividing strip except to avoid an obstacle. Penalty $350.46.
- Nicholson Street, Carlton/Fitzroy
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Seven part-time tram lanes have been upgraded under the Think Tram Program with flashing signs and road markers to make them more obvious to drivers. Part time tram lanes operate only in peak periods. They are indicated by tram lane signs overhead and a solid yellow line alongside the tram tracks. The overhead signs show the times that the part-time tram lane operates. Parking or stopping is not permitted alongside part-time tram lanes during the hours of operation.
Road Rule (rule 155)
- Drivers must not drive in a tram lane. If it is necessary to enter or leave the road or avoid an obstacle you may drive in a tram lane for up to 100 metres if you do not delay a tram. Penalty $233.64.
- Holmes Road, Brunswick (July 2008)
- Brunswick Street, Fitzroy (July 2008)
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Trams at roundabouts and median openings often experience frequent and extended delays due to vehicles crossing the tram tracks. There is an increased potential for conflict between trams and vehicles at these locations and crashes are common. Upgrades to these intersections are aimed at preventing vehicles from waiting or queuing across the tram tracks and reminding drivers to give way to trams. Red road surfacing and the installation of electronic flashing 'GIVE WAY TO TRAMS' signs which flash when a tram is approaching have been used effectively to improve tram reliability and safety.
Roundabouts
- Racecourse Road/Epsom Road, Flemington
- Mount Alexander Road/Glass Street, Essendon
Median openings
- Plenty Road, Reservoir and Bundoora
- Burwood Highway, Vermont South
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Traffic Signal Priority
Over the last five years 250 sets of traffic signals have been adjusted to provide improved priority to trams. These changes include green right turn arrows which are triggered by a tram approaching the intersection. This allows cars in front of the tram to clear the tram tracks. At some intersections, tram signals (T lights) have been installed so the tram can enter the intersection before the traffic lights turn green for other traffic. There are also pedestrian crossing signals that have been fitted with detectors that enable the crossing time to be automatically varied to suit fast and slow moving pedestrians.
Twelve new CCTV cameras enable improved monitoring of tram operations and incidents at 12 key locations across the network.
From 9 November 2009, a number of Victoria’s road safety rules will be changing including some that relate to driving with trams. For more information see Changes to Victoria's Road Safety Rules.
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Phone: 1300 309 571
Email: thinktram@roads.vic.gov.au