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The Smart Freeway system on Perth’s Mitchell Freeway southbound has been operating since Sunday, December 22, 2024. It is an integrated traffic-management system—not a new freeway—that runs from Hester Avenue to Vincent Street and coordinates all 16 southbound on-ramps.
For drivers, that means ramp traffic lights, variable speed limits, lane-use signs, electronic messages, cameras and sensors working together. Main Roads and the WA Government forecast morning-peak savings of up to seven minutes on relevant journeys, but that is an expected, route-dependent benefit rather than a guarantee for every trip.
What went live on December 22, 2024?
The project formally switched on the Smart Freeway Mitchell Southbound system on December 22, 2024. Main Roads describes a central system that monitors traffic, adjusts speed limits, meters vehicles entering from ramps, manages lanes during incidents and gives drivers live information.
The installation contains more than 1,400 pieces of technology, including:
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- Coordinated traffic signals on all 16 southbound entry ramps.
- Variable-speed-limit displays.
- Electronic overhead lane-use signs and gantries.
- Digital message signs.
- CCTV cameras.
- Road, vehicle and incident-detection sensors.
- Automatic stopped-vehicle and incident detection.
This is separate from Perth’s earlier Smart Freeway on Kwinana Freeway northbound.
Main Roads: Smart Freeway goes live
Main Roads Smart Freeways overview
Where does the Mitchell system operate?
| Attribute | Mitchell Smart Freeway |
|---|---|
| Direction | Southbound only |
| Northern end | Hester Avenue |
| Southern end | Vincent Street |
| Entry ramps | All 16 southbound on-ramps within that section |
| Current status | Operational; the project is listed as complete |
It does not mean every lane in both directions of the Mitchell Freeway is controlled by one Smart Freeway system. The project section and direction matter.
How ramp signals change the drive
What happens at an on-ramp
- Approach the southbound on-ramp as usual.
- Stop at the ramp traffic light when it is red.
- Move when the signal releases you, either individually or in a small group.
- Merge at the displayed speed and follow any lane-use instruction overhead.
Ramp metering deliberately spaces vehicles so a large platoon does not enter the freeway at once. A red signal normally means a short wait for the next release; it does not mean the ramp is permanently closed.
Why a brief ramp delay can help
The system trades a controlled pause at the entrance for a more orderly merge and fewer waves of braking on the main carriageway. A ramp can therefore be metered even when the freeway immediately ahead appears to have spare space: the system is managing flow farther downstream, not just the first few metres of the merge.
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Do not queue across a local road or intersection while waiting. Follow the signal and any temporary instructions at the ramp.
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- Complete Sign & Stand Kit – Includes one 36” high-visibility roll-up safety sign and one 4-leg steel sign stand
- High-Visibility Sign Face – Bright fluorescent orange sign face enhances visibility on job sites; available in mesh, non-reflective, or reflective versions
- Portable & Easy to Store – Lightweight steel stand folds down compactly for quick transport and convenient storage
- Quick-Deploy Stand – Kick-release levers allow each leg to be lowered individually for fast setup on the job site
Reading the overhead signs
Variable speed limits
The displayed speed limit applies while it is shown. Limits can be lowered for congestion, a hazard or an incident and can change as conditions change. Continue obeying the displayed instruction until it changes, even if the original cause is no longer obvious.
Lane-use signs
Overhead symbols can show that a lane is open, closed or being reassigned. Do not enter a lane marked closed, and merge early when it is safe to do so.
Incident and message signs
Digital messages may warn of stopped traffic, crashes, lane closures or congestion. Slow down, increase following distance and prepare for traffic to stop.
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What travel-time and safety benefits were promised?
The November 2024 project update said the additional lane and smart technology were expected to save about seven minutes for morning commuters, with the precise benefit depending on the journey. The launch statement described goals of smoother and safer merging, fewer stop-start conditions, earlier incident warnings and more reliable travel times.
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- Complete Sign & Stand Kit – Includes one 36” high-visibility roll-up safety sign and one 4-leg steel sign stand
- High-Visibility Sign Face – Bright fluorescent orange sign face enhances visibility on job sites; available in mesh, non-reflective, or reflective versions
- Portable & Easy to Store – Lightweight steel stand folds down compactly for quick transport and convenient storage
- Quick-Deploy Stand – Kick-release levers allow each leg to be lowered individually for fast setup on the job site
Main Roads’ 2025 annual-report material later referred to a seven-minute saving on the Mitchell southbound route “to date.” That is an agency-reported performance claim, not an independently audited guarantee for every driver.
WA Government: project nearing completion
WA Government: December 22 launch statement
Is the seven-minute saving guaranteed?
No. “Up to seven minutes” is a forecast or reported peak-period result associated with particular routes and conditions. The outcome for an individual trip can vary with:
- Origin, destination and the on-ramp used.
- Time of day and traffic demand.
- Crashes, breakdowns and downstream bottlenecks.
- Weather, roadworks and temporary lane closures.
- How drivers respond to ramp signals and speed changes.
A short off-peak trip may receive little of the headline benefit, while a longer morning-peak journey through the managed section may benefit more. The additional southbound lane and other freeway works also contributed to the expected improvement, so the seven minutes should not be attributed solely to electronic signs and ramp lights.
How many motorists use the route?
A November 2024 WA Government update said more than 190,000 motorists used Mitchell Freeway southbound each day. That figure is reported for the freeway’s southbound users in that announcement; earlier project documents used different counts for particular sections or peak periods. Those numbers should not be treated as interchangeable.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How it compares with Perth’s first Smart Freeway
| System | Direction | Location | Launch | Reported or forecast saving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitchell Smart Freeway | Southbound | Hester Avenue–Vincent Street | December 22, 2024 | Up to seven minutes in the morning peak, depending on the journey |
| Kwinana Smart Freeway | Northbound | Roe Highway–Narrows Bridge | August 2020 | Up to approximately six minutes in the morning commute, according to official material |
These are separate systems on opposite sides of Perth’s freeway network. Kwinana figures have been presented with different route definitions in different government announcements, so they are not a direct like-for-like benchmark.
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- Ample Quantity to Meet Diverse Needs: You will receive 6 practical traffic arrow signs, including three left-pointing arrows and three right-pointing arrows. This is sufficient for your daily use, traffic warnings, and replacement needs, facilitating traffic control and pedestrian guidance.
- Reliable and Durable Material: The traffic signs are made of robust PVC material; this makes our signs durable and extends their lifespan; the sturdy construction makes them wear-resistant and adaptable to various weather conditions, ideal for outdoor use.
- Sun-Resistant Ink: To ensure the durability of the traffic cone top signs, we use sun-resistant ink; even after prolonged exposure to strong sunlight, the bright and eye-catching traffic symbols printed on the signs will remain vibrant and will not fade.
- Clear Double-Sided Printing: Each sign measures 10.4 inches high and 12.6 inches wide, ensuring clear visibility even from a distance. The traffic cone arrow signs are printed on both sides, making them clearly identifiable from both directions, thus improving visibility and traffic management efficiency.
- Versatile: These arrow signs are versatile and suitable for various occasions; they are ideal for construction sites, traffic control, parking lots, roadblocks, building signs, road maintenance, school sports training, and any other location requiring clear directional guidance; these signs provide clear and timely directions for drivers and pedestrians, ensuring traffic safety and smooth flow.
The wider Mitchell Freeway upgrade
The Smart Freeway launch was part of a broader transformation, including:
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- A third southbound lane between Hodges Drive and Hepburn Avenue, opened in May 2024.
- Shared-path works.
- Related work around the Stephenson Avenue Extension and future interchange connections.
Those physical upgrades changed capacity and traffic patterns alongside the smart technology.
Cost and project scope
The current project page lists the Smart Freeway Mitchell Southbound budget at $209.6 million, jointly funded by the Australian and Western Australian governments, and marks the project complete.
Earlier announcements referred to amounts such as $140 million for a Smart Freeway program or particular stages. Those figures cover different scopes, stages or packages of work and should not be compared as though they were one unchanged budget.
Current project overview and budget
Earlier funding and project context
What the system cannot promise
- It cannot remove congestion caused by a major crash, extreme demand, severe weather or a bottleneck beyond the managed section.
- It cannot guarantee the same saving at every ramp or destination.
- It cannot prevent every sensor, communications or power fault.
- It cannot make drivers disregard a displayed closure or speed limit safely.
Possible practical issues include a ramp signal being temporarily unavailable, queues backing up toward a local road, or confusion where Smart Freeway works overlap with Stephenson Avenue construction. Official material establishes the system’s intended capabilities, but does not establish how often such failures or queue spillbacks occur.
What motorists should do now
- Expect a short wait at some southbound ramps, even when the freeway looks clear.
- Obey every displayed speed limit and lane-use symbol.
- Slow down and increase following distance when an incident warning appears.
- Never drive into a lane marked closed.
- Keep ramp queues clear of local intersections.
- Allow extra time when incidents, weather or roadworks are active, because smart controls manage traffic but do not create unlimited capacity.
For current conditions, temporary restrictions and official driver information, use Main Roads WA’s Smart Freeways resources and live traffic services.
Quick Recap
Main Roads metropolitan Smart Freeway project page
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