Coronation Drive, Brisbane - Tidal Flow System

Tidal Flow System

The Coronation Drive Tidal Flow System was implemented to improve traffic flow along the routinely congested road. It consists of overhead gantries displaying white arrows or red crosses to indicate which lanes can be driven in, LED signs on approach that indicate current lanes open, LED catseye markers embedded in the road that are turned on and off to move the median line and boom gates that swing into the lanes when closed to stop use of the closed lane.

The Tidal Flow System was heavily criticised by the public for a number of reasons. These included the perception that the lane system was confusing and caused road accidents, especially when drivers were required to make turns on or off the tidal flow system. Lights in the road meant to guide drivers were often broken and during daylight hours were hard to discern. In particular, the right hand turn from Coronation Drive onto Lang Street (outbound) has two lanes and drivers were routinely confused as to which lane on Lang street they should turn into.

The Tidal Flow System was well over budget, with the cost of the system far higher than originally planned. The system was prone to vandalism, in particular the boom gates used to block off lanes were routinely hit by vehicles. Critics claim that the tidal flow system has not been effective in improving traffic flow. The primary reason given is due to traffic in both directions being high at peak hour due to the University of Queensland bound traffic balancing the city bound traffic. The tidal flow system did not close lanes due to traffic accidents or roadworks, instead, traditional vehicles and signage were used, leaving a much touted feature of the system unutilised. Out of state or overseas drivers tended to not understand the system and its dynamic lanes, thus were likely to end up driving in T3/Bus lanes or not merging when they should.

The Tidal Flow System was dismantled and removed at the end of 2008 after a decision by the Brisbane City Council. A similar system is operated on the Houghton Highway across Bramble Bay at Redcliffe until the opening of the Ted Smout Memorial Bridge in 2011.