A road with major movement functions that connects principal arterial roads, urban centres, or enterprise areas.

Secondary arterial roads are major movement corridors characterised by moderately high speeds and used by large freight vehicles. Lane widths need to cater for vehicles of all types, including freight. The typical road reserve is 20m-40m.

Access to the corridor is limited, with intersections generally spaced 200m or more apart. Secondary arterials may have driveways to front access properties in older subdivisions; however, usually, lots are denied access or have back fences in newer areas.

Car parking is generally not permitted.

Common issues

• the design not being distinct from the primary arterial
• crossing points being too far apart
• insufficient space and lack of facilities for walking and cycling
• land uses not being aligned with through movement function.

Design solutions

• kerbside traffic buffers (Walking Space Guide, TS 01589)
• trees in the verge (Landscape Design Guideline, TS 01595)
• trees in the median (Landscape Design Guideline, TS 01595)
• retention of existing vegetation (Beyond the Pavement, TS 01592)
• bicycle paths (Cycleway Design Toolbox, TS 01590)
• footpaths (Walking Space Guide, TS 01589)
• crossing signals on all intersection legs (Traffic Signal Design, TS 02670)
• single stage crossings (Traffic Signal Design, TS 02670)
• painted thresholds (Austroads Guide to Traffic Management, Part 8)
• mid-block crossing (Austroads Guide to Road Design, Part 4)

The design solutions library includes a full list of appropriate design solutions for secondary arterials.

The Heavy Vehicle Access Policy should be used when determining design and check vehicles.