Road safety authorities renew push for South Aussies to adopt road numbering system

South Aussies are used to navigating with road names but traffic authorities say it’s better to use their new way instead. Is it an A1 plan or is this idea routed?

To many Australians the nation’s ring route is known by one of 61 local highway and motorway names, but road safety authorities want it to be known by just one; 1.

It is far more simple they say, and the same goes for SA’s 100 other ring routes; Rs, motorways; Ms, arterial roads; As, and secondary arterial roads; Bs.

The beneficiaries of “alphanumerical” naming are everyone from triple-0 callers, paramedics communicating their location, holiday makers battling to work out where they are on the road to Murrumbateman, Murwillumbah or Mamungkukumpurangkuntjunya Hill.

Authorities have been trying to make South Australians switch since 1997 — Adelaide’s 14-name ring route for example can be simply called R1 — and their new push is backed by an explainer website.

Transport Minister Corey Wingard said the system especially made travelling to an unfamiliar destination easier.

“We have been building our alphanumeric route system since it was first introduced 1997, and while people are aware of this system, our research shows only 43 per cent of road users actually use it to find their way around our state,” he said.

“Almost half of the South Australian road network includes an alphanumeric route designation, and the system is designed to guide you around our city and state easily without having to remember multiple road names.

“Just look out for the distinctive gold letter and number on the green road signs.

“Understanding the alphanumeric system will also have safety benefits because if motorists have a clearer understanding of the route they’re taking they’ll be less likely to become distracted by their navigation devices while behind the wheel.

“Travel paths linking useful, popular locations or areas of significance are given a unique alphanumeric name.

“For example, hop on the A1 to get from Adelaide to Port Wakefield, or take the A13 to Victor Harbor. The M2, or North-South Motorway, runs from Gawler in the north to Noarlunga in the south.”

Highways have had numbers allocated to them for more than 20 years but Australians have stuck with the better-known names. Picture: istock

The letter in the alphanumeric route system references the road classification. M is a motorway or expressway, A is a main or arterial route, B is a secondary/local arterial road, and R is for the city ring route.

RAA road safety expert Charles Mountain said the system made sense.

“It is a system used world wide, and makes a lot of sense for travellers, which is why all the satnav systems use it,’’ he said.

“In Adelaide the local names are embedded in the culture, but in a practical sense it does make more sense to call something A1.”

Mr Mountain said even within SA the A1 changed names mid-route many times.

“The alternative is far more simple because anything with A1 on the sign needs to be followed,” he said.