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The better way to navigate across SA these summer holidays

Thursday, 29 December 2022

If you’re setting off on a road trip over the summer break, you can make your trip easier by getting in sync with the state’s alphanumeric route system – the better way to navigate around the city fringe and on to South Australia’s regions.

Additional signage and new pavement markings has been rolled out on the ‘R1’, commonly known as the Inner Ring Route, as part of renewed campaign to remind South Australians, as well as interstate visitors, of the simpler way to navigate the state’s road network using the alphanumeric route system.

White letters and numbers have also been painted on the road surface to further identify the R1 route.

The alphanumeric (letter and number) route system, which can be easily followed by the gold letters and numbers on green road signs (such as “R1” or “M2”), is designed to help road users navigate and reach their destination without having to remember multiple road names.

Signs are clearly visible at the start and end of various routes with additional signs and pavement markings at junctions along the way, so you can join a route or be reassured you are still on the right road.

The alphanumeric route system has been in place since 1997, with new alphanumeric routes regularly added as our road network grows and more popular travel paths are identified.

Google and Apple Maps also use this system both in SA and interstate, with the directions in these mapping applications matching our signs to help you navigate on your travels.

By using the route system, your travel will be improved by:

  • making it easier to find popular tourist destinations
  • guiding motorists through areas of Adelaide and South Australia that they may be unfamiliar with
  • providing a backup navigational system for when GPS or other navigational tools aren’t available.

The letter in the alphanumeric route system references the road classification:

  • M is a motorway or expressway - These roads keep traffic moving and are likely to have no traffic lights and higher speed limits
  • A is a main or arterial route - These roads link to and from M roads and provide access to major towns and places of interest across metro and regional SA
  • B is a secondary/local arterial road - These roads link to and from A and M roads and provide access to places of interest across metro and regional SA
  • C is a major collector road - These roads link local roads and streets to the arterial road network for inter-state travel.
  • R is for a Ring Route - These roads provide a path around the city, rather than travelling through it.