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Government policy regarding the future activities of the Fremantle Port Inner Harbour will have a considerable impact on the traffic flow through the Precinct and improvements required to manage increased traffic volumes.

The Fremantle Port Authority plans to significantly increase container traffic through the Inner Harbour by 140%, leading to a major increase in freight trucks through Fremantle roads.

In 2007, there were more than 500,000 TEUs (container movements) through the Port of Fremantle. According to the Sea Freight Council, only 84,000, or 16%, came by rail. The container traffic required approximately 320,000 truck movements to and from the Port.

Container traffic has been growing at a rate of 5% per annum but that is expected to increase dramatically as the Fremantle Port Authority estimates that by 2015 there will be 1.2 million container movements. Based on the current mix between road freight and rail, that will lead to an estimated 770,000 container truck movements through Fremantle each year.

The Fremantle Port Authority has not announced any planned road improvements to deal with the proposed increase in container traffic.

It is acknowledged by the proponents of NPQ that the development of 10,000 additional dwellings will increase road traffic to the Precinct area.

BSD Cardno traffic engineers are currently investigating a road upgrade plan designed to physically grade separate NPQ residential and visitor traffic from container traffic to Fremantle Port. These upgrades will be paid for by NPQ and will benefit the Fremantle community as well as the Port.

NPQ's sustainability principles include aiming for a 25 to 50% modal split between public and private transport. Free electric buses will be provided by NPQ for visitors and residents to gain access to the development and connect them to the North Fremantle railway station and the Fremantle business district.

Modes of transport being investigated include electric CAT buses, electric water taxis and an electric light rail system, all paid for by NPQ.

Tydeman Road, Port Beach Road and Stirling Highway are all forecast to have increased traffic movement generated by the development of NPQ. This forecast traffic increase places an increased emphasis on the need for transit priority in the coastal corridor and grade separation for Port vehicles.

A dedicated transport corridor branching off Tydeman Road and tunnelled adjacent to Port Beach Road is considered necessary. Alternatively, encouraging public over private vehicle transport to meet sustainability and planning principles will provide for greater capacity in terms of people movement, as opposed to private vehicle movement. Traffic will be encouraged away from Port Beach Road by public transport alternatives.

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