STREET NAME: Treatment area located between Alexandra Parade (north), Hoddle Street (east), Johnston Street (south) and Nicholson Street (west)
SUBURB: Fitzroy and Collingwood
MUNICIPALITY: City of Yarra, Melbourne
STATE & COUNTRY: Victoria, Australia
SPEED REDUCTION: From 40 km/h to 30 km/h
DATE IMPLEMENTED: January 2020 (trial start October 2018)
SCHEME INCLUDED:
- Implementation of trial area (30km/h) and control area (40km/h)
- Replacement of speed limit signs with 30km/h signs
- Pavement marking
- 91 sites where speeds were recorded
COST: Not available
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
- Modest reductions in mean speed: average travel speed fell by 0.3km/h
- Reductions were more apparent at higher speeds where risk of severe injury or death to vulnerable users is more likely
- Unexpected speed reductions in adjacent control sites
- “Treatment effect” showed 11% reduction of likelihood of a vehicle travelling above 40km/h in treatment area and 25% reduction above 50km/h
- 4% reduction in risk of severe injury for pedestrians
- Increase of people supporting the 30km/h area from 42.7% to 50.3% within the trial area
Observations of pedestrian and cyclist activity were undertaken at a limited number of locations within the treatment and non-treatment areas during three days before the trial implementation and three days at 12 months into the trial. The small number of locations and survey days limits the ability for general conclusions. The data shows a 12.7% drop in pedestrian activity (largely driven by a single site) and a 27.8% increase in cycling activity.
LESSONS LEARNED:
For some members of the community there was confusion about how the pedestrian priority at the crossings worked, how to determine when to enter and how to exit the roundabout.
There are feelings of frustration caused by inconvenience to the driving experience which are perceived to be caused by the Wombat Crossings.
Intercept surveys at the Wombat Crossings found people using them thought they created a more convenient walking experience however there was still concern about understanding how the crossings worked and the expectations of people walking and people driving.
Information about the benefits of the crossings and the expectations of all road users would assist the community to understand the role they play in creating a pedestrian priority city centre.