Making roads and precincts safer

Image credit: Department of Transport and Main Roads

Action 2.7, Action Plan for Walking 2019–2021

Status: Complete

Provide information and training that supports local governments to implement lower speed limits in and around schools, public transport stops and busy pedestrian areas.

Achievements

The Department of Transport and Main Roads' (TMR) main role in the introduction of lower speed limits is to provide technical guidelines and best practice to ensure a safe and functional outcome for all road users.

TMR has provided information and training to support local governments to implement lower speed limits in and around schools, public transport stations and other activity centres to make them safer and more attractive for walking. This has included:

• supporting the establishment of new school zones under the school zone guidelines
• making it clearer and easier to set safe, lower speed limits in high active transport user areas under the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, Part 4
• providing technical, research and data support to any local government seeking to investigate or implement a lower speed limit for vulnerable road users

TMR has also tailored information and training for local government demonstration projects. For example, in February 2019, TMR worked with Cairns Regional Council to introduce 40km/h speed limits in the Central Business District, including supporting education and awareness. TMR is monitoring crash outcomes post-implementation to measure the road safety outcomes.

From the demonstration project, TMR developed speed limit reduction toolkits that provide easy to follow guidance, templates and contacts for any road authority to investigate and implement a lower speed limit in areas with high walking and cycling activity or crash history. These toolkits were also promoted at the Australasian Road Safety Conference in 2019.

In late 2020, TMR released an Expression of Interest to local governments for funding to investigate and/or implement reduced speed limits in areas of high pedestrian and bicycle rider activity. The response from road authorities was very strong and the proposed projects are being evaluated.

TMR also provides technical support to TMR and local government officers and consultants on the speed limit review process, including how active transport users are considered.

TMR has also responded to local government needs by investigating and developing new school zone signage to maintain awareness in school zones when within a lower speed limit area.

Next steps

TMR will continue to deliver ongoing work and transition discrete projects to business-as-usual activities where suitable.

Lead agency

Department of Transport and Main Roads

More information

TMR has published guidance on speed limit setting and HATUAs (High Active Transport User Areas).

TMR has also published resources on school zone safety.