Ozroads: Alpha-numeric route numbering

ALPHA-NUMERIC ROUTE NUMBERING
Australia's route numbering for the future!

An example of Victorian alpha-numeric signage on the Princes Highway, Trafalgar. Photo thanks to Viseth Uch, taken Dec 2004.

Alpha-numeric route numbers are the new standard route numbering system for Australia. Loosely based on the British system, this system has officially been adopted on principle by all the state road authorities. Its a fairly easy system to use, with the letter prefix indicating a combination of the importance and the standard of the route, the number just being for navigational purposes. Austroads has set the standard for rural alpha-numeric standards and it is up to the discretion of the respective road authority. The standard is:

M Routes	These are divided carriageway roads, generally forming part of the main links between capital cities, or from a capital city to a key regional centre. All Freeways and Motorways should be designated as M Roads.
A Routes	These would be expected to form the principal routes within regions that are not of M Road standard. They would be expected to form links between capital cities or provide the connections between key regional centres or between key centres and capital cities.
B Routes	These would be expected to form the primary connections between major regions not served by A Routes.
C Routes	These are the other routes in the arterial network 1

The alpha-numeric system of route marking was first introduced by Tasmania in 1979-80. The only route not converted is the National Highway 1, as the Tasmanian Government's request to change it was denied by the Federal Government who required that the National Highway be signed with the green and gold National Highway shield. During the 1990's Victoria planned their change to alpha-numeric numbering and Austroads, the conference between all state road authorities, made it official in May 1997, announcing that all transport ministers had agreed to the conversion to alpha-numeric routes. Austroads also recognised that there would be differences in classifications between states and that a classification length may contain isolated sections that are substandard and will be addressed in the future.

Austroads, in conjunction with transport ministers, produced the following numbering regime. Unfortunately though, unlike NAASRA, Austroads has no authority to enforce these guidelines and it is up to the various state road authorities to abide by them of their own good will.

M,A,B and C routes which are continuous across State borders should have consistent numbers (this will require adjacent jurisdictions to consult and agree to route numbers)
The numbering of all other routes (i.e. those not continuous across State borders) will be determined by each jurisdiction
The same route numbers could be used in each state's route numbering system, however neighbouring States should ensure that route numbers are not duplicated in the proximity of State borders.
The National Highway route numbers will be retained, except where adjacent jurisdictions and the Commonwealth mutually agree on rationalizing numbers as required
Route numbers should be continuous along a particular route. (This may involve the use of multiple route numbers on short overlapping routes.)1

At April 2011, as i write this, the various states and territories are at different stages of their conversions to alpha-numeric numbering. This table profiles where each state is up to. Additionally, you can read more detailed information on the route numbering page of the respective states or territories.

State/Territory	Commencement	Completion
A.C.T	Confirmation has been received from the ACT that conversion to alpha-numeric route marking will proceed once it is implemented in NSW.	Completion is dependant on the timing of adjoining routes in NSW.
N.S.W	No official plans have been released for the changeover, however there have been numerous sightings of alpha-numeric signage across the state. The Westlink M7 motorway opened to traffic on 16 December 2005 with the route "M7" being signed along the new motorway and the M2 Motorway as far as Pennant Hills Rd. There is no funding at the present time to fully implement the system, so the gradual replacement of existing signs in preparation is continuing.	With the amount of signs ready to be converted, i would suggest that the conversion time would be as little as possible. The Metroad replacement took two years, this project could be completed in that timeframe across the state.
N.T	N.T have just begun their trial for alpha-numeric route marking. Some signs have appeared on the Stuart Highway in Darwin and the Cox Peninsula Road. Last time i asked, they were still finalising interstate route numbers.	Replacement of route markers could possibly be done in less than a few months, however it is more likely to be staged over a year or two. Without a commencement date i could speculate on a completion timeframe.
QLD	Queensland's first alpha-numeric route, the M1, was signposted in October 2000 with the opening of the Pacific Motorway. A number of routes have since followed, the latest being M5. The official plans for alpha-numeric routes only contained a total of 7 routes, so it is unclear how the rest of the state's routes will be accommodated into this system.	It has taken QDMR 6 years to signpost the first handful of routes so I wouldnt expect a completion date any time soon.
S.A	South Australia commenced their conversion in 1998/99 and while metropolitan Adelaide has been completed, there remains many signs to be replaced in rural areas. Many new routes are only haphazardly signposted as the project seems to have suffered from a lack of funding and personnel.	Implementation is probably considered as complete by the DTEI, however as at 2005 many routes are still missing route markers on many signs.
TAS	Tasmania was the first state to adopt this system way back in 1979/80. However, they were required to retain the National Highway shield for the National Highway route. Despite the demise of the National Highway system, there are no immdeiate plans to convert this route to an alpha-numeric route.	Completed in 1983.
VIC	Victoria began their conversion in 1995/96, with a trial in the north eastern region of Victoria. The major interstate routes followed and the last rural route was signposted in 2003. Metropolitan Melbourne still retains its metro routes as there is no funding for conversion and some from Vicroads wish to keep the metro routes for navigation purposes.	Rural areas and major metropolitan through routes completed largely by 2000. The final rural route was signed in 2003.
W.A	Western Australia has looked at converting to the alpha-numeric style in recent years, however due to funding constraints no changes will proceed in the foreseeable future.	Not in the foreseeable future.

1. Austroads, Towards a Nationally Consistent Approach to Route Numbering, 2003, pg. 4

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