Page 1320 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 9 April 2013
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implementation. Formal advice will then be provided to government, which will include a staging plan for implementation.
I have had the opportunity to attend several of the public meetings on the current traffic calming studies. They are a good example of community engagement and consultation, and TAMS has received considerable feedback from the community.
The objectives of the proposed traffic management schemes are to reduce travelling speeds, improve safety at intersections, reduce traffic volumes and discourage “rat running” by through traffic that should be on the arterial road network. It is also an objective to improve safety for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists.
To meet these objectives, a range of engineering devices can be employed depending on the road conditions and particular problems that need to be addressed.
Roundabouts are a suitable treatment to improve safety at intersections, as well as requiring traffic to slow down. Provision of turning lanes or channelisation can also improve safety at intersections. Treatments such as median refuges and raised crossings can be used to improve pedestrian safety and also slow speeds. On mid-blocks, the installation of speed cushions or humps can be a cost-effective treatment to address speeding. Examples of these treatments can already be found in Canberra, as well as in other towns and cities in Australia, and around the world.
The four studies will provide an overall master plan, or concept plan, outlining traffic calming measures suitable for the areas studied. The government’s intention is to implement works in a staged approach. The highest priorities in each study area would be implemented first, then evaluated, and later stages implemented as and when required. Funding for the first stage of implementation is under consideration as part of the capital works program for 2013-14 and 2014-15.
As members are probably aware, traffic calming proposals can have the effect of polarising community views. They result in a range of public views and are not always supported by every member of the community. They are a good example of not being able to please everybody all of the time. As TAMS minister, I receive numerous requests from members of the public seeking traffic calming measures. I also get other members of the public strongly complaining to me about them.
While traffic calming can provide speed, traffic volume and safety improvements, some vehicles are distributed elsewhere on the network and some trips may become slightly longer. Speed humps can also result in a slight increase of noise to nearby residents.
In general, it seems that people living on a street are supportive of traffic calming measures, while motorists driving through the suburb are less so.
Often, any delays from traffic calming measures are negligible. The 40 kilometre per hour zones implemented in Woden and Gungahlin town centres are a good example.
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