Is Canberra Overly Lit Up with Traffic Lights, or Are They a Necessary Evil in Our Busy Streets? Imagine cruising through the suburbs, only to be halted by a red light at what feels like every corner—frustrating, right? But what if those very lights are actually saving lives? That’s the heart of the debate raging in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), where traffic lights are either hailed as essential safety guardians or criticized as outdated relics. Today, we’re peeling back the layers on this topic, exploring the science behind how these glowing sentinels are chosen—and why roundabouts might sometimes steal the show. Buckle up, because this isn’t just about traffic; it’s about balancing safety, flow, and community needs in a growing city. And trust me, but here’s where it gets controversial… we’ll uncover why some locals are rallying against new lights while experts weigh in with data-driven decisions.
The Big Picture: Are Traffic Lights Too Prevalent in Canberra? Most of the traffic lights dotting the ACT’s roads are strategically positioned, but a recent proposal for additional signals on Tuggeranong’s Drakeford Drive could flip the script, according to the National Transport Research Organisation (NTRO). This esteemed body has been providing cutting-edge research and hands-on solutions for transportation across roads, railways, ports, and airports to governments and businesses Down Under for over six decades. With a public petition (available at https://epetitions.parliament.act.gov.au/details/e-pet-064-25) urging the ACT Government to install new lights at the junction of Drakeford Drive and Noorooma Street in Isabella Plains, we tapped into the wisdom of NTRO CEO Michael Caltabiano to unpack the logic of traffic light placements—and the love-hate relationship they inspire.
Deciding on Traffic Lights Versus Roundabouts: What’s the Process? Australian road design standards outline a hierarchy of intersection types, ranging from uncontrolled (also known as unsignalised) setups, to roundabouts, fully signalised crossings, and even grade-separated options like overpasses. Think of it as a ladder of complexity that traffic engineers climb as road usage intensifies and risks mount. “This progression often stems from rising traffic volumes and safety concerns, such as the presence of pedestrians or cyclists who might be sharing the road,” explains Mr. Caltabiano. “Engineers must evaluate the flow on every arm of the intersection—not just the main road—and tailor the solution to the unique demands of that spot.” For beginners, imagine an intersection like a busy crossroads at a marketplace: if too many people (or cars) are trying to cross at once without guidance, chaos ensues, so planners introduce controls to keep things orderly.
To upgrade an uncontrolled intersection to one with signals, the guidelines require both roads to hit a threshold of at least 600 vehicles per hour. “That’s the tipping point where we start seriously considering signalization to manage the traffic,” Mr. Caltabiano notes. This isn’t arbitrary; it’s based on data showing that below this level, simpler solutions suffice, while above it, the risk of conflicts rises sharply.
Where Do Roundabouts Come Into Play? Roundabouts shine as a smart alternative for handling moderate to heavy traffic loads that are evenly distributed across all four approaches. “They’re designed to keep traffic circling smoothly when volumes are similar on every leg,” Mr. Caltabiano elaborates. “However, they falter in scenarios with a dominant main road and minor side streets—unless there’s a pressing issue like heavy pedestrian or cyclist activity.” To clarify for those new to this, picture a roundabout as a mini merry-go-round for cars: everyone takes turns entering and exiting, reducing the need for full stops. But if one road is a highway and the others are quiet lanes, it’s like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole—traffic jams or confusion can result. As an example, think of a suburban roundabout where two busy streets meet equally busy cross-streets; it works beautifully. But slap one next to a freeway onramp, and you might see drivers hesitating or even reversing in frustration.
The Downsides of Traffic Lights: Not Always a Smooth Ride Traffic lights, for all their benefits, do one thing undeniably: they halt the flow. “The ultimate goal is to maintain safe and efficient movement of vehicles—that’s paramount,” says Mr. Caltabiano. “Planners use every tool at their disposal to achieve that, but lights can inadvertently create bottlenecks.” For instance, if lights are positioned poorly, drivers might detour through nearby residential streets, turning quiet lanes into unintended shortcuts. This “rat-running” phenomenon can overburden smaller roads, leading to congestion, wear and tear, and even safety hazards in areas not built for heavy use. It’s like forcing a river to reroute through a narrow creek—everything backs up, and the unintended path suffers. And this is the part most people miss… these knock-on effects can sometimes make the cure worse than the ailment, sparking heated debates about whether lights are overapplied in urban planning.
A Real-World Case: The Drakeford Drive Petition Take the petition for new lights on Drakeford Drive as a prime example. Sponsored by ACT Labor member Caitlin Tough, it argues that recent housing developments in the area have surged traffic on Drakeford Drive and adjacent roads, turning the intersection into a perilous zone. “During rush hours, drivers often have to dangerously exceed speed limits to slip through fleeting openings in traffic,” the petition states. It also references tragic incidents: a fatal accident in 2011 involving an 18-year-old motorcyclist and another in 2021 where a 78-year-old woman was killed in a collision between two cars. While the petition has garnered only five signatures—far from the 500 needed to reach the ACT Legislative Assembly—there’s a deeper reason it might not succeed. Mr. Caltabiano, who resides nearby, points out that without official traffic data from NTRO, anecdotal evidence suggests the stretch of Drakeford Drive falls short of the 600-vehicles-per-hour benchmark. A roundabout wouldn’t fit here either, as minimal traffic enters from Isabella Plains. Plus, larger roundabouts on Isabella Drive and Johnson Drive nearby offer multiple access points, making a new one redundant.
The current setup is known as a “two-stage” intersection, where drivers cross one lane of traffic at a time. “You first check for vehicles on your right, cross to the median, and then assess the left before proceeding,” Mr. Caltabiano describes. In 2013, the government invested around $20,000 from the Black Spot Program to enhance line-marking and signage, boosting visibility and safety. Experts predict planners will deem this adequate after reviewing nearby roundabouts, local traffic generators like schools or care facilities, and actual vehicle counts. To expand on this for clarity, a two-stage crossing is like a two-step dance: you’re not leaping across a wide chasm all at once, but taking it in halves, reducing the overwhelm and lowering accident risks.
Looking Ahead: Population Growth and Its Impact According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ latest forecasts, Tuggeranong’s population is projected to rise by about 26,000 by 2065, from 91,387 to 117,994. Zooming into Isabella Plains, however, only roughly 150 homes have been added over the past 15 years. “Expected residential growth is modest, and planners factor this in alongside other variables,” Mr. Caltabiano emphasizes. “Decisions aren’t based on a single factor—it’s a holistic assessment.”
Why the Backlash Against Drakeford Drive and Similar Spots? Mr. Caltabiano praises the ACT’s overall record, noting that most traffic lights solve real problems and aren’t installed lightly due to their hefty costs—often running into millions. “No one invests that kind of money without solid justification,” he asserts. Yet, it’s not flawless. “The main snag in Canberra is the synchronization of lights, especially downtown. That desperately needs upgrading for smoother commutes.” But as for their placement and rationale? “I’ve seen no complaints there.” This raises a provocative angle: Are we too quick to blame the lights for everyday frustrations, ignoring their life-saving role? Or perhaps, in an era of smart tech, should we push for more adaptive solutions? It’s a debate that divides opinions—some see lights as relics of the past, while others view them as non-negotiable safeguards.
In wrapping this up, the choice between traffic lights and roundabouts boils down to data, safety, and local context. But what about you? Do you think Canberra leans too heavily on lights, or are roundabouts the underappreciated heroes? Have you ever experienced a “rat run” caused by misplaced signals? And crucially, should we prioritize cyclist and pedestrian needs more in these designs? Share your views, agreements, or disagreements in the comments below—let’s spark a conversation!