NOW may be the optimum political climate for reaching an agreement on how to improve Sydney's roads, according to an NRMA director, as the RTA could be ''dismembered to some degree'' after the state election in March.
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The NRMA is hoping the RTA will take notice of recommendations made about the M5 West widening, including signs posting travel-time information and high performance road markings for wet and night conditions, after a very similar submission for the M2 upgrade was largely rejected earlier this year.
''I think this is a very good time in the political cycle for us to be pushing this, I'm not playing politics,'' said an NRMA director, David Bentham, speaking from a personal perspective.
He said the government would want to ''do the right thing'' because it concerns large numbers of voters in the Labor heartland, while the Coalition would not want to be seen to be spoilers.
The M5 - the major passenger, commercial and freight route between Sydney Airport, Port Botany and south-west Sydney - operates at or near capacity even outside peak hours.
''The whole of [the M5] corridor is overloaded and [needs] some serious money spent on it to bring it in line with the demand that already exists,'' Mr Bentham said.
A key NRMA recommendation is installing variable message signs with estimated travel time information, as is common in Melbourne, so that motorists can decide whether to change their route well before they enter a motorway, and avoid unexpectedly joining heavy traffic.
The submission says this is frustrating for drivers if they have already paid a toll.
However, the NRMA submission floats a ''conflict of interest'' for toll road operators accepting such a proposal because it would likely divert motorists away at congested times, reducing their revenue.
''They only work for the advantage of their shareholders … to expect them to do anything else is foolish,'' Mr Bentham said.
The RTA began piloting a travel time system on the F3 between Wahroonga and Ourimbah this month.
Other NRMA recommendations include signs with graphics, as well as text, and raised lane markings along the shoulder to give an audible and visual warning if crossed, protecting cyclists.
The state government announced the proposed widening of the M5 West last year, including expanding the South-West Motorway from two to three lanes in each direction.
''The proposed M5 West widening aims to reduce travel time for motorists … as well as support planned residential and employment growth in south-west Sydney,'' the proposal states.
It also includes an upgrade to three bridge underpasses and 22 new variable message signs.
Submissions to the Department of Planning closed last month and are being reviewed.
''We have under-invested in transport, particularly in rail, in the last 20 years,'' Mr Bentham said.
