Work as part of the Think Tram Program is focused on key tram routes. Information on projects locations is provided below.
Route 96: Nicholson Street - Tram Improvements
Route 109: High Street South & Denmark Street, Kew - Tram, Bicycle and Traffic Improvements
Route 59: Mount Alexander Road - Tram Improvements
Route 1/8: Holmes Road
Route 6/8: Toorak Road
Route 19: Elizabeth Street, Royal Parade, Sydney Road
Route 48/75: Flinders Street, Wellington Parade, Bridge Road, High Street, Doncaster Road
Route 55: Queensbridge Street, William Street, Peel Street, Flemington Road
Route 57: Elizabeth Street, Racecourse Road, Epsom Road
Route 59: Elizabeth Street, Flemington Road, Mount Alexander Road
Route 64: Dandenong Road
Route 67: Brighton Road
Route 86: Bourke Street, Gertrude Street, Smith Street, High Street, Plenty Road
Route 112: Clarendon Street, Collins Street, Brunswick Street, St Georges Road
All Routes: Traffic Signal Priority
As part of the Victorian Government's plan aimed at keeping Melbourne moving and the Think Tram program, plans are underway to improve tram travel times, reliability and safety along route 96, 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 as this increases potential conflict between trams and vehicles. Between July 1, 2007 and June 30, 2008 there were 41 accidents involving trams in Nicholson Street. This was the second highest number of accidents on a tram route outside the CBD.
A tram improvement proposal has been developed for route 96, Nicholson Street between Victoria Parade and Brunswick Road/Holden Street;
- to improve the safety and tram travel times by reducing the number of locations where vehicles can make right turns and u-turns across tram tracks.
- to provide greater allocation of green time for trams, allowing trams to travel through signalised intersections with minimal delay.
- An information bulletin will be available on trams operating on the route 96 service and circulated by letter box drop to the Carlton, Carlton North, Fitzroy and Fitzroy North areas mid June.
An information session will be held:
Day: Thursday 25 June 2009
Time: 1.30 - 4.30pm and 5.30 - 7.30pm
Venue: Fitzroy Town Hall, Reading Room. Entry from Napier Street
Public Transport: Tram Route 112, Stop 14
Melways reference: 2C C9
VicRoads is seeking community feedback on this proposal. Provide your feedback at the Community Information Session or by submitting a feedback form [PDF, 30KB, 2pp] before 17 July 2009.
Please download the Nicholson Street Tram Improvements Brochure [PDF, 2415KB, 2pp] or contact us.
Following a thorough 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 planned to commence in July 2009:
Implementation of a right turn ban per traffic from High Street South into Barkers Road in the AM peak, durng clearway hours (currently 7.00am-9.00am), Monday-Friday to allow greater priority for trams in High Street South and assist in improved tram travel times.
Vehicles needing to make a right turn in the AM peak at Barkers Road will be able to do so from Denmark Street.
An upgrade to the existing southbound part-time tram lane in High Street South, which operates during the AM peak, during clearwayhours (currently 7.00am-9.00am), Monday-Friday, with new electronic flashing signs and tram lane signs.
New traffic signals will be installed at the intersection of Stevenson Street and Denmark Street including a signalised pedestrian crossing to improve safety for all pedestrians and cyclists and for motorists turning into Denmark Street.
Extension of the right-turning lane at the intersection of Denmark Street and Barkers Road to allow for increased right turning traffic. (Slight modifications to current car parking arrangements will be implemented in this area.)
Signage will be installed in various locations to advise road users of the above permanent changes.
An information bulletin outlining the project and a map is available in the More Information and Services section below.
Please contact us for more information.
The State Government Think Tram Program wants to make Mount Alexander Road, Essendon safe and easy for everyone to share. VicRoads has recently investigated safety issues and delays affecting trams using tram route 59. Three intersections have been identified at Shamrock Street, Thorn Street and Marco Polo Street for future improvements.
These draft proposals aim to:
- provide greater priority for trams at the 3 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
Think Tram thanks all residents, businesses and other members of the community who provided feedback on the proposal. The design is currently under review and all feedback will be considered when determining the best solutions for this section of Mount Alexander Road. Watch this space for future developments.
A brochure outlining the project and a map of Mount Alexander Road is included in the More Information and Services section below.
- Platform tram stops in the city have proven highly effective in providing passengers with easier and safer access to trams. Platform tram stops offer the following benefits:Safer and easier access to tram services for the elderly, people with disabilities and passengers with prams
- Raised platforms with ramp access compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act
- Shelters, seating and improved lighting
- Tram information and screens showing when the next tram will arrive.
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(June 2008)
A pair of platform tram stops have been constructed in Flinders Street on the west side of the intersection with Spring Street. The platform tram stops replaced older style tram stops.
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(June 2008)
A pair of platform tram stops have been constructed in Nicholson Street at the Spring Street intersection. The platform tram stops replaced older style tram stops.
The following permanent traffic changes were introduced at the intersection of Nicholson Street and Albert Street:
- Outbound traffic in Nicholson Street is no longer permitted to turn either left or right at Albert Street
- Traffic now travels in a single lane through the intersection at Albert Street.
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(April 2008)
The new centre platform tram stop has been specially designed for this location to cater for large numbers of passengers while maintaining the existing traffic conditions.
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(November 2007)
New platform tram stops in Elizabeth Street at the Queen Victoria Market are now open to passengers. |
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(November 2007)
Platform tram stops were constructed in Bourke Street at William Street, Queen Street and Russell Street. This completes the project and there are now seven pairs of platform tram stops along Bourke Street.
Bourke Street is the first street in Melbourne to have accessible tram stops along its entire length. The installation of platform tram stops in Bourke Street followed 18 months of extensive community consultation and project development.
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A brochure including a map of each project can be downloaded from the More Information and Services section below.
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The Think Tram Program has upgraded several part time tram lanes with flashing signs and road markers to make them more obvious to drivers. Part time tram lanes operate in peak periods. They are all indicated by tram lane signs overhead and a solid yellow line alongside the tram tracks.
Drivers are not allowed to travel in a tram lane during the hours of operation except to:
- enter or leave the road
- make a right hand turn
- avoid an obstruction (such as a parked car)
These exceptions only apply provided you do not delay a tram. Parking or stopping is not permitted alongside part time tram lanes during the hours of operation. Disobeying these road rules carries a maximum penalty of $220.
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(Hours of operation 4:00pm-6:30pm).
A part time tram lane operates between Balmoral Avenue and Moreland Road.
In July 2008, new flashing signs and road markers were turned on to highlight the existing outbound part time tram lanes. The overhead signs and road markers flash to indicate to drivers that they must move into the left lane. |
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(Hours of operation 4:30pm-6:30pm).
A part time tram lane operates between Kerr Street, and Cecil Street.
In July 2008, new flashing signs and road markers were turned on to highlight the existing outbound part time tram lanes. The overhead signs and road markers flash to indicate to drivers that they must move into the left lane. |
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A brochure including maps of each project can be downloaded from the
More Information and Services section below.
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Trams at roundabouts and median openings experience frequent and extended delays due to vehicles making u-turns and right turns across tram tracks. There have also been many crashes between vehicles and trams due to unsafe driving behaviour. Right turning vehicles often need to wait on the tram tracks in order to allow traffic to pass. Consequently, these intersections have been upgraded to provide safe, efficient and reliable movement of trams.
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The improvement works of include installation of electronic flashing 'GIVE WAY TO TRAMS' signs and red road pavement at the roundabouts. The electronic signs flash when a tram is approaching the roundabout. The signs assist motorists in recognising that a tram is close to or travelling through the roundabout and alert motorists of the need to give way. The tram track area at the roundabout has been painted red to remind motorists to look out for trams prior to entering the roundabout.
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Seven median openings on Plenty Road and fourteen median openings on Burwood Highway were upgraded as part of the Think Tram Program. The treatments were specially designed to improve the traffic conditions, tram reliability and safety at each location. Typical median opening treatments include traffic signal upgrades, turning restrictions, right turn lanes, median closures and road markings.
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Raised dividing strips 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.
It is illegal for motorists to drive over a raised dividing strip or inside full time tram lanes. Disobeying these road rules carries a penalty of $220. 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 must not delay a tram.
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Raised dividing strips adjacent to the tram tracks, and tram lane signage have been installed along Nicholson Street between Victoria Street, Fitzroy and Brunswick Road, Carlton.
Raised dividing strips in Nicholson Street highlight the existing full time tram lane, giving trams priority at all times. The raised dividing strips have not changed traffic conditions, as breaks in the strip are provided at intersecting streets. Tram lane signs have been installed overhead to alert motorists to the full time tram lane.
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More than 220 sets of traffic signals have been adjusted to provide 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 a number of pedestrian crossings signals that have been fitted with detectors that enable the crossing time to be automatically varied to suit fast and slow moving pedestrians.
Phone: 1300 309 571
Email: thinktram@roads.vic.gov.au