By transporting thousands of people every day, Melbourne's tram service helps reduce congestion on our roads. So it is important to know how to share the roads with trams when driving in Melbourne. By observing the road rules when driving you will help to keep our roads safe and reduce delays to trams and their passenger.
- You must stop level with the rear of a tram at a tram stop until the doors close and passengers have cleared the road.
- Once the tram's doors are closed and it is safe to proceed, you must not exceed 10km/h while passing a stationary tram at a tram stop.
- You must give way to all trams at roundabouts.
- You must not move into the path of a tram.
- You must not drive over raised dividing strips or double yellow lines.
- You must not make a U-turn across a solid line in the centre of the road.
- You must not park or stop within 20 metres of a tram stop unless there is a sign which permits parking. (Fines apply for non compliance with road rules and increase annually on 1 July)
Tramways were introduced as a new road rule in Victoria on 9 November 2009, as part of the changes to Victoria’s Road Safety Road Rules. Tramways help trams run on time and improving safety and the reliability of public transport.
What does a Tramway look like?
Tramways have overhead signs and raised dividing strips or two yellow lines beside the tram tracks.
How do you drive in a Tramway?
A driver is not allowed to drive in a tramway. If it is necessary, you may drive in a tramway only to avoid an obstacle and without delaying a tram.
Where are Tramways?
The first tramway was established in November 2009 on Nicholson Street between Brunswick Road and Victoria Parade, Carlton. This tramway will assist over 15 million passenger trips a year on one of Melbourne’s busiest tram routes (Route 96.) Trams operating on Route 96 can have up to 240 passengers on board each tram – this is the equivalent of a queue of cars more than a kilometre long.
In 2010, three tramways began operation. They are located:
- along the Upper Esplanade (Fitzroy Street to Carlisle Street, St Kilda)
- on Flemington Road (Racecourse Road, to Royal Parade, North Melbourne), and
- Brighton Road, (from Carlisle Street to Glenhuntly Road, Elwood).
Full-time tram lanes operate 24 hours a day. They are indicated by tram lane signs overhead and a solid yellow line alongside the tram tracks.
Raised dividing strips are sometimes used in place of yellow lines at many full-time tram lanes and help 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. 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 in doing so must not delay a tram.
Road Rules
- Drivers must not drive in a tram lane. If it is necessary to enter or leave the road or avoid an obstacle you may drive in a tram lane for up to 50 metres if you do not delay a tram. Penalty $233.64.
- It is illegal for drivers to cross a raised dividing strip except to avoid an obstacle. Penalty $350.46.
Under the Think Tram Program part time tram lanes are being upgraded with flashing signs and road markers to make them more obvious to drivers. Part time tram lanes operate only in peak periods. They are indicated by tram lane signs overhead and a solid yellow line alongside the tram tracks. The overhead signs show the times that the part-time tram lane operates. Parking or stopping is not permitted alongside part-time tram lanes during the hours of operation.
Road Rule
Drivers must not drive in a tram lane. If it is necessary to enter or leave the road or avoid an obstacle you may drive in a tram lane for up to 50 metres if you do not delay a tram. Penalty $233.64.
- Plenty Road, Preston
- Sydney Road, Brunswick - Coburg
- High Street, Malvern - Prahran
- Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
Tram stop improvements
Platform tram stops in the city have proven highly effective in providing passengers with easier and safer access to trams. Platform tram stops comply with the Disability Discrimination Act and offer the following benefits:
- Protecting passengers from traffic
- Ramps and raised platforms with same level access to low-floor trams
- Passenger shelters, seating and lighting
- Tram service information and screens that display when the next tram will arrive
- Large numbers of passengers can get on and off trams more quickly and as more platform tram stops are built, the reliability of tram services improves.
In 2010, three new pairs of platform trams stops were constructed in St Kilda Road. The new tram stops are located at Commercial Road, High Street and Union Street.
In 2011, there are plans to upgrade tram stops on Swanston Street between Victoria Street and Grattan Street, Carlton. Also tram stop 9 on Elizabeth Street, near Haymarket Roundabout. to support passengers using tram routes 19 and 59.
Trams at roundabouts and median openings often experience frequent and extended delays due to vehicles crossing the tram tracks. There is an increased potential for conflict between trams and vehicles at these locations and crashes are common.
Upgrades to these intersections are aimed at preventing vehicles from waiting or queuing across the tram tracks and reminding drivers to give way to trams. Red road surfacing and the installation of electronic flashing 'GIVE WAY TO TRAMS' signs which flash when a tram is approaching have been used effectively to improve tram reliability and safety.
Roundabouts
- Haymarket Roundabout, North Melbourne/Carlton
Median openings
- Nicholson Street, Carlton - North Carlton
- Plenty Road, Reservoir and Bundoora
Over the last seven years more than 250 sets of traffic signals have been adjusted to provide improved 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 pedestrian crossing signals that have been fitted with detectors that enable the crossing time to be automatically varied to suit fast and slow moving pedestrians.
Twelve CCTV cameras enable improved monitoring of tram operations and incidents at 12 key locations across the network.
From 9 November 2009, a number of Victoria’s road safety rules changed including some that relate to driving with trams. For more information see Trams - Road Rules.
Phone: 1300 309 571
Email: thinktram@roads.vic.gov.au