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Congestion Report 2019

Brisbane

Note: Ratio of median travel time to best (shortest) travel time for each route.

Across Brisbane, most routes have METRs of around 1.0 or 1.1, meaning there is little variation between the median travel time and best travel time across the route. The principal exceptions are the M3–A3, M7–A7 and Route 2, which have METRs of around 1.2, meaning the median travel time is around 20 per cent higher than the best travel time. Routes with relatively high MEURs include the M3 (South) and Route 2, where the variation in median travel time variation to the minimum variation is between 2.8 and 3.1 on M3 (South) and 2.3-2.6 on Route 2 (i.e. the ratio of the median variation in travel time to minimum variation in travel time). Unlike Sydney and Melbourne, these routes do not directly connect to the CBD.

M1 - Bruce Hwy to Pacific Motorway / Pacific Motorway to Bruce Hwy

This route crosses Brisbane from north to south. Travelling from the Gympie Arterial Road (M3) at Bald Hills in the north of Brisbane to Eight Mile Plains in the south of Brisbane, crossing the Brisbane River near Eagle Farm. It encompasses most of the Gateway Motorway. It is a major intercity and interregional route through its connections with the Pacific Motorway and Bruce Highway. This route also connects to the M2, M3, M4, M6 and M7 (via Southern Cross Way) motorways also covered in this report.

Direction Best travel time Longest median travel time METR Least uncertainty travel time Most uncertainty travel time MEUR Distance
Bruce Hwy to Pacific Motorway 00:24:29 00:31:49 1.0 00:03:22 00:15:06 1.6 37.7
Pacific Motorway to Bruce Hwy 00:23:59 00:35:56 1.1 00:02:36 00:24:52 2.4 37.5

The best travel times and least uncertainty heading south from the Bruce Highway to the Pacific Motorway were experienced at 4am with a median travel time of 24.5 minutes and an interquartile range of 3 minutes. The longest median travel times and most uncertainty were experienced in the afternoon peak at 3pm with a median of 32 minutes and an interquartile range of 15 minutes. Delays were most severe on the portion of the route south of Old Cleveland Road. There was no distinct morning peak.

The best travel times heading north from the Pacific Motorway to the Bruce Highway were experienced at 7pm with a median travel time of 24 minutes and the least uncertainty were at 4am with an interquartile range of 3 minutes. The longest median travel times and most uncertainty were experienced in the afternoon peak at 4pm with a median of 36 minutes and an interquartile range of 25 minutes, both of which were more severe than these of the southbound direction. Delays were most severe in the portion of the route north of Nudgee. A milder morning peak saw delays in the southern part of the route.

The afternoon peaks in both directions can be attributed to commuter traffic leaving the inner areas of Brisbane.


M2 (North) - Logan Motorway to Pacific Motorway / Pacific Motorway to Logan Motorway

This route consists of the Gateway Motorway section of the M2 linking the M1 and the Logan Motorway at Drewvale in Southern Brisbane.

Direction Best travel time Longest median travel time METR Least uncertainty travel time Most uncertainty travel time MEUR Distance
Logan Motorway to Pacific Motorway 00:05:48 00:06:49 1.1 00:00:56 00:03:27 2.1 8.4
Pacific Motorway to Logan Motorway 00:05:40 00:06:48 1.1 00:00:55 00:03:54 2.1 8.3

The best median travel time heading north from the Logan Motorway to the Pacific Motorway was 6 minutes at 6pm and the least uncertainty were experienced at 3pm with an interquartile range of 1 minute. The longest median travel times were 7 minutes at 11pm and the most uncertainty were experienced in the evening at 9pm with an interquartile range of 3.5 minutes. Speeds were slower and more uncertain at night which may possibly be enforced roadwork speed limits rather than congestion. There was a very mild peak in the morning at 7am but otherwise travel time and uncertainty were stable throughout the day time.

The best median travel times heading south from the Pacific Motorway to the Logan Highway were 6 minutes at 6am and the least uncertain travel times were experienced at 11am with an interquartile range of 1 minute. The longest median travel times and most uncertainty were at 10pm with a median of 7 minutes and an interquartile range of 4 minutes. Like the northbound direction, the elevated travel time and uncertainty at night are likely attributable to night-time road works, otherwise they were stable during the day time.

The best and longest travel time as well as the least and greatest uncertainty of both directions were the same or very similar with only seconds difference.


M2 (West) - Gateway Motorway to Ipswich Motorway / Ipswich Motorway to Gateway

This route uses the Logan Motorway section of the M2 between its confluence with the Gateway Motorway (M2 North) and junction with the M7 (Ipswich Motorway) at Gailes. It crosses the M5 (Centenary Highway) at Carole Park.

Direction Best travel time Longest median travel time METR Least uncertainty travel time Most uncertainty travel time MEUR Distance
Gateway Motorway to Ipswich Motorway 00:10:59 00:12:02 1.0 00:01:47 00:04:56 1.6 16.1
Ipswich Motorway to Gateway 00:10:37 00:13:06 1.1 00:01:41 00:09:20 1.9 15.8

The best median travel times heading west from the Gateway Motorway to the Ipswich Motorway were 11 minutes at 4am and the least uncertainty were experienced at 12pm with an interquartile range of 2 minutes. The longest median travel times were 12 minutes experienced at 10pm and the highest uncertainty was at 4pm with an interquartile range of 5 minutes.

The best median travel time heading east from the Ipswich Motorway to the Gateway Motorway were 11 minutes at 6pm and the least uncertain travel times were experienced at 5am with an interquartile range of 2 minutes. The longest median travel times and the most uncertainty were experienced in the afternoon peak at 4pm with a median of 13 minutes and an interquartile range of 9 minutes, both of which were longer than the westbound route.

The route exhibits clear afternoon peaks in travel time variation. However, travel time peak was only obvious in the journey heading east to the Gateway Motorway. Mildly increased travel time and uncertainty were present in both directions at night, while these were relatively stable during day time, except during the afternoon peak. This pattern is similar to that of M2 route (northbound).


M3-A3 - Airport Link to M1 / M1 to Airport Link

This route follows the M3 and the surface road A3 with one end merging with the M1 at Bald Hills and the other meeting Airport Link (M7) next to Gordon Park. It is known as Gympie Road when labelled as the A3 and the Gympie Arterial Road when labelled as the M3.

Direction Best travel time Longest median travel time METR Least uncertainty travel time Most uncertainty travel time MEUR Distance
Airport Link to M1 00:12:23 00:20:41 1.2 00:03:52 00:22:33 2.2 13
M1 to Airport Link 00:11:33 00:16:23 1.2 00:02:58 00:13:11 2.7 13

The best median travel times and least uncertainty heading north from the Airport Link to the Bruce Highway were at 3am with a median of 12 minutes and an interquartile range of 4 minutes. The longest median travel times and most uncertainty were experienced in the afternoon peak at 4pm with a median of 21 minutes and an interquartile range of 23 minutes. Delays were most significant at the southerly end of the A3 portion of the route near Chermside and at the southerly end of the M3 portion. Unusually amongst the routes in this report, travel time uncertainty increased gradually throughout business hours to a distinct afternoon peak.

The best median travel times heading south from the M1 to the Airport Link was 11.5 minutes at 3am and the least uncertainty were experienced at 4am with an interquartile range of 3 minutes. The longest median travel times were 16 minutes at 7am and the greatest variation were experienced at 10am with an interquartile range of 13 minutes. Delays were most severe in the A3 section where it uses surface roads. Travel time and uncertainty were slightly elevated throughout business hours rather than experiencing a distinct peak such as along the northbound route. There is also a small “third peak” around 1-2am similar to other surface routes in this report.


M3 (South) - Inner City Bypass to Pacific Motorway / Pacific Motorway to Inner City Bypass

This route follows the M3 connecting the Inner City Bypass at Bowen Hills and the M1 (Pacific Motorway) at Springwood in Brisbane’s southeast. It passes around the western edge of the CBD and crosses the Brisbane River at Woolloongabba and follows the Pacific Motorway.

Direction Best travel time Longest median travel time METR Least uncertainty travel time Most uncertainty travel time MEUR Distance
Inner City Bypass to Pacific Motorway 00:16:25 00:31:21 1.2 00:03:05 00:30:43 2.8 20.1
Pacific Motorway to Inner City Bypass 00:15:13 00:25:16 1.1 00:01:58 00:20:08 3.1 20.1

The best travel times and the least uncertainty heading south to the Pacific Motorway were experienced at 6am with a median travel time of 16 minutes and an interquartile range of 3 minutes. The longest median travel times and the greatest travel time uncertainty were at 5pm with a median of 31 minutes and an interquartile range of 31 minutes. There was also a milder and less prolonged morning peak. Delays were most severe near and south of the Brisbane River crossing and near the junction with the M1.

The best travel times heading north from the Pacific Highway to the Inner City Bypass were experienced at midnight with a median travel time of 15 minutes and the least uncertainty were at 4am with an interquartile range of 2 minutes. The longest median travel times and the greatest range of variation were experienced during the morning peak at 8am with a median travel time of 25 minutes and an interquartile range of 20 minutes. There was also a smaller, but more prolonged afternoon peak. In both peaks, delays were most severe just south of the Brisbane River crossing.


M4 - Gateway Motorway to Port of Brisbane / Port of Brisbane to Gateway Motorway

This route links the Gateway Motorway (M1) at Murarrie and the Port of Brisbane via Port Drive and Port of Brisbane Motorway. It is an important route for freight to and from the Port but is not a major commuter route.

Direction Best travel time Longest median travel time METR Least uncertainty travel time Most uncertainty travel time MEUR Distance
Gateway Motorway to Port of Brisbane 00:10:21 00:10:37 1 00:01:23 00:02:19 1.4 11.7
Port of Brisbane to Gateway Motorway 00:10:14 00:10:54 1 00:01:47 00:03:23 1.4 11.7

The best travel times and least uncertainty travelling to the Port were experienced at 2am with a median travel time of 10 minutes and an interquartile range of 83 seconds. The longest median travel times were at 8am with a median of 11 minutes and the greatest uncertainty was experienced at 4pm with an interquartile range of 2 minutes. There were no distinct peak periods as this route has little or no commuter traffic.

The best median travel times travelling from the Port to the Gateway Motorway was 10 minutes at 10pm and the least uncertainty were experienced at 5am with an interquartile range of 2 minutes. The longest median travel times and the greatest uncertainty were experienced at 1am with a median of 11 minutes and an interquartile range of 3 minutes. Like the Port-bound route there were no distinct peak periods.


M5 - Bowen Hills to Logan Motorway / Logan Motorway to Bowen Hills

This route follows the M5 from the M3 and M7 motorways at Bowen Hills and meets the Logan Motorway (M2) at Forest Lake. It traverses the southwest fringe of Brisbane and is known at various points as the Inner City Bypass, Legacy Tunnel, Western Freeway and Centenary Highway.

Direction Best travel time Longest median travel time METR Least uncertainty travel time Most uncertainty travel time MEUR Distance
Bowen Hills to Logan Motorway 00:18:27 00:28:40 1.1 00:04:55 00:47:44 2.3 24.1
Logan Motorway to Bowen Hills 00:19:02 00:25:56 1.1 00:04:56 00:26:59 1.7 24.2

The best travel times and least uncertainty travelling from Bowen Hills to the Logan Motorway were experienced at 10am with a median travel time of 18.5 minutes and an interquartile range of 5 minutes. The longest median travel times and greatest uncertainty were experienced in the afternoon peak at 4pm with a median of 29 minutes and an interquartile range of 48 minutes. The range of variation in the afternoon peak suggests that the route can become very congested. Apart from this period, both travel time and uncertainty were relatively stable throughout the day. Delays were most apparent on the Centenary Highway near where it crosses the Brisbane River.

The best median travel times travelling from the Logan Motorway to Bowen Hills were 19 minutes at 12pm and the least uncertain travel times were experienced at 1am with an interquartile range of 5 minutes. The highest median travel times and greatest uncertainty were experienced in the morning peak at 8am with a median of 26 minutes and an interquartile range of 27 minutes. Like the southbound route, the peak of uncertainty was much more prominent than the peak of median travel time. Delays were again most significant on the Centenary Highway near where it crosses the Brisbane River.


M6 - Gateway Motorway to Pacific Motorway / Pacific Motorway to Gateway Motorway

The M6 route merges with the M2 at Drewvale and meets the Pacific Motorway (M1) at Loganholme using the Logan Motorway

Direction Best travel time Longest median travel time METR Least uncertainty travel time Most uncertainty travel time MEUR Distance
Gateway Motorway to Pacific Motorway 00:09:23 00:09:47 1.0 00:01:05 00:02:11 1.3 14.6
Pacific Motorway to Gateway Motorway 00:09:21 00:11:56 1.1 00:01:00 00:07:46 2.3 14.5

The best median travel times travelling east from the Gateway Motorway to the Pacific Motorway was 9 minutes at 6pm and the lowest uncertainty were experienced at 1pm with an interquartile range of 1 minute. The longest median travel times and highest uncertainty were experienced at 10pm with a median of 10 minutes and an interquartile range of 2 minutes. There was little variation in either measure throughout the day and no discernible peaks.

The shortest travel time westbound from the Pacific Motorway to the Gateway Motorway were experienced at 4am with a median travel time of 9 minutes and the lowest uncertainty were at 10am with an interquartile range of 1 minutes. The longest median travel times and greatest uncertainty were experienced in the morning peak at 7am with a median travel time of 12 minutes and an interquartile range of 8 minutes. Unlike the eastbound route there was a distinct peak in the morning with delays most severe near the western end of the route near the Gateway Motorway.


M7-A7 - Logan Motorway to Southern Cross Way / Southern Cross Way to Logan Motorway

This route follows the A7 and M7 through central Brisbane and links the Logan Motorway (M2) at Gailes in the south and the Southern Cross Way branch of the Gateway Motorway near Brisbane Airport. It uses Ipswich Motorway (M7), Ipswich Road (A7) and Airport Link M7 past the CBD and under the Brisbane River as the Clem Jones Tunnel along its way.

Direction Best travel time Longest median travel time METR Least uncertainty travel time Most uncertainty travel time MEUR Distance
Logan Motorway to Southern Cross Way 00:25:30 00:37:08 1.1 00:09:18 00:37:08 1.7 30.3
Southern Cross Way to Logan Motorway 00:26:07 00:36:58 1.2 00:09:03 00:32:07 1.7 30.5

The best travel times and lowest range of variation northbound from the Logan Motorway to Southern Cross Way were experienced at 4am with a median travel time of 26 minutes and an interquartile range of 9 minutes. The longest median travel times and greatest uncertainty were experienced at 7am in the morning peak with a median of 37 minutes and an interquartile range of 37 minutes. Delays were most apparent on the surface section (Ipswich Road) of this route and the Ipswich Motorway near Oxley.

The best travel times and least uncertainty southbound from Southern Cross Way to the Logan Motorway were at 3am with a median travel time of 26 minutes and an interquartile range of 9 minutes. The longest median travel times and greatest range of variation were experienced in the afternoon peak at 4pm with a median of 37 minutes and an interquartile range of 32 minutes. Congestion was most apparent near Route 2 at Rocklea.

The data exhibits morning and afternoon travel time peaks and uncertainty in both directions. The morning peak is more severe than the afternoon peak northbound to Southern Cross Way, but the opposite is true for the reverse journey. This makes the M7-A7 route one of the most symmetrical routes in this report.


Route 2 - A7 to Gateway / Gateway to A7

This short surface route links the M7/A7 at Rocklea with the Gateway Motorway (M1) at Mackenzie. It passes Robertson and under the Pacific Motorway (M3) along the way.

Direction Best travel time Longest median travel time METR Least uncertainty travel time Most uncertainty travel time MEUR Distance
A7 to Gateway 00:11:09 00:17:15 1.2 00:02:45 00:16:18 2.6 11.1
Gateway to A7 00:11:51 00:16:15 1.2 00:03:49 00:16:05 2.3 11.1

Eastbound from M7/A7 junction to the Gateway Motorway, the best travel times and lowest uncertainty were experienced at 4am with a median travel time of 11 minutes and an interquartile range of nearly 3 minutes. The longest median travel times and most uncertain travel time were experienced at 8am during the morning peak with a median of 17 minutes and an interquartile range of 16 minutes. There is also a prolonged afternoon peak. Delays were spread relatively evenly along the route but more apparent near the M3.

Westbound from the Gateway Motorway to the M7/A7 junction, the shortest median travel times and least uncertain travel time were at 4am with a median of 12 minutes and an interquartile range of 4 minutes. The longest median travel times and most uncertain travel times were experienced during the afternoon peak with a median of 16 minutes at 5pm and an interquartile range of 16 minutes at 4pm. There was also a similar but less prolonged morning peak in the westbound direction. Again delays were more apparent near the M3 but also near Beaudesert Road in both peaks.

In both directions, average travel times were higher and the variation in travel greater during business hours. However, morning and afternoon peaks were more pronounced on the westbound route to the A7/M7 junction.