Draft Final Report – Study of Traffic Conditions on Beaurepaire Crescent, Messenger Street and Trickett Street
LATM Works – Beaurepaire Crescent, Messenger Street and Trickett Street
Prepared for
Roads ACT – Traffic Management and Safety
July 2013
Document Information
Prepared for Roads ACT – Traffic Management and Safety
Project NameLATM Works – Beaurepaire Crescent, Messenger Street and Trickett Street
File Reference2013-07-19 LATM Executive Summary
Job ReferenceNA50513012
Date July 2013
Contact Information
Cardno (NSW/ACT) Pty Ltd
ABN Insert 95 001 145 035
Level 2
14 Wormald Street
Symonston
Canberra ACT 2609
Telephone: (02) 6112 4500
Facsimile: (02) 6112 4599
International: +61 2 6112 4500
Document Control
Version / Date / Author / Author Initials / Reviewer / Reviewer Initials1 / 27/05/2013 / David Lavin / Gary Vernon
2 / 04/06/2013 / David Lavin/Julie Collis / Gary Vernon
3 / 24/06/2013 / David Lavin / Gary Vernon
© Cardno 2013. Copyright in the whole and every part of this document belongs to Cardno and may not be used, sold, transferred, copied or reproduced in whole or in part in any manner or form or in or on any media to any person other than by agreement with Cardno.
This document is produced by Cardno solely for the benefit and use by the client in accordance with the terms of the engagement. Cardno does not and shall not assume any responsibility or liability whatsoever to any third party arising out of any use or reliance by any third party on the content of this document.
Executive Summary
Introduction
Following the installation of speed cushions on Spofforth Street, Holt a post implementation evaluation study was completed in July 2012 to gauge the effectiveness of these traffic control devices. The study found that while the installation of speed cushions had been successful in the objective of reducing speed it also identified that a relatively large volume of traffic was being diverted onto other local side streets and in particular Beaurepaire Crescent, Messenger Street and Trickett Street. In addition, the community also expressed concerns about excessive traffic speeds, irresponsible driver behaviour and road safety on these streets.
As a result, Cardno (NSW/ACT) Pty Ltd was commissioned by the Traffic Management and Safety (TMS) section of Roads ACT, in the Territory and Municipal Services Directorate to undertake a traffic study on Beaurepaire Crescent, Messenger Street and Trickett Street.
The purpose of this study was to identify traffic and safety issues on these streets and to recommend suitable local area traffic management (LATM) measures to achieve defined safety objectives based upon observations, technical analysis of traffic data (e.g. traffic counts, speed survey and crash data) and community feedback.
The streets subject to this study are shown in the figure below.
Study Streets – Beaurepaire Crescent, Messenger Street and Trickett Street
The study incorporated a technical analysis of traffic speed, volume and crash data along Beaurepaire Crescent, Messenger Street and Trickett Street, as well as feedback obtained from consultation. This included: --
An analysis of available traffic data (i.e. traffic volume, speed and crash data);
A review of comments received by Roads ACT; and
A review of the feedback received from the Stage 1 and 2 Community Consultation.
Streets Considered in Study
Beaurepaire Crescent
Beaurepaire Crescent is a minor collector road with a speed limit of 50km/h. The road is typically 10m in width along its length, with widening at intersections.
The main issues on Beaurepaire Crescent are traffic volumes and speeds. The average weekday traffic volume on the section of Beaurepaire Crescent between Armstrong Crescent and Pickworth Street is 3643 vehicles per day (vpd). This volume is high for a minor collector road with driveway access and vehicles may experience difficulties when pulling in and out of driveways. Similarly given the volume of traffic using Beaurepaire Crescent, pedestrians may also experience difficulty in finding a safe gap in traffic in which to cross.
The weekday 85th%ile speed recorded on Beaurepaire Crescent is about 65km/h.
Between January 2007 and December 2011 there were a total of thirteen crashes on Beaurepaire Crescent, with twelve property damage only crashes and one injury crash recorded. The majority of these crashes have taken place at intersections and in fine and dry conditions in daylight hours.
Messenger Street
Messenger Street is a local accessroad with a speed limit of 50km/h. The road is typically 10m in width along its length, with widening at intersections.
The main issues on Messenger Street are traffic speeds and irresponsible driver behaviour. The average weekday traffic volume on Messenger Street between Higgerson Street and Lindrum Crescent is 380vpd.
The weekday 85th%ile speed recorded on Messenger Street is about 60km/h.
Between January 2007 and December 2011 there were a total of three crashes on Messenger Street which were all resulted in property only damage. One of the crashes involved a vehicle backing out of a driveway; another involved a crash with parked car, while the third crash was a single vehicle crash on the kerb.
TrickettStreet
Trickett Street is a minor collector road with a speed limit of 50km/h. The road is typically 10m in width along its length, with widening at intersections.
The main issues on Trickett Street are traffic volumes and speeds. The average weekday traffic volume on the section of Trickett Street between Weber Place and Griffiths Street is 3241vpd. This is slightly higher than the 3000vpd desired capacity for a minor collector road.
The weekday 85th%ile speed recorded on Trickett Street is about 60km/h.
Between January 2007 and December 2011 there were a total of five crashes on Trickett Street which all resulted in property damage only. Four of the crashes involved turning movements and one a backing manoeuvre. Three crashes occurred at the Trickett Street-Griffiths Street intersection.
Study Objectives
Having reviewed the existing traffic conditions on Beaurepaire Crescent, Messenger Street and Trickett Street in conjunction with the community feedback from the Stage 1 Community Consultation, the following objectives were identified for this study: --
Reduce traffic speeds;
Discourage ‘rat-running’;
Improve safety at intersections (within the study streets); and
Reduce traffic volumes.
Option Assessment – Concept Designs
Considering the data above and community feedback (see consultation), two traffic management options were developed to improve traffic conditions on Beaurepaire Crescent, Messenger Street and Trickett Street, identified during the analysis of traffic data and from community feedback. The proposed options are as follows: --
Option 1 - A narrowing of the road through the use of line markings and rubberised kerb extensions placed along major intersections of the road. The line markings would be placed adjacent to the channels on each side of the road (providing running lanes 3.0 metres wide) to visually narrow the effective width of the carriageway. The line marking will run the entire length of the road.
The rubberised kerb extensions would be placed on key intersections along the road to force a horizontal deflection of the vehicle, thereby encouraging vehicles to reduce speed. The rubberised kerb extensions would be flexible and relatively low cost to install.
Option 2 - A narrowing of the road through line marking and the installation of rubberised kerb extensions at key intersections. In addition, speed cushions would be installed on Messenger Street and Trickett Street and chicanes on Beaurepaire Crescent on key sections of the road in order to achieve the desired reduction in speed.
The line marking is proposed to be installed along the entire length of the road and will reduce the width of the lane to 3.0 metres.
The following table shows how effective each of the concepts is likely to be in addressing the objectives of the proposed schemes.
Measure / Reduce Speeds / Reduce Traffic Volume / Reduce Crash Risk / Increase Pedestrian Safety / Increase Bicycle SafetyVertical Deflection Devices / Speed Cushions / Yes / Yes / Yes / - / -
Horizontal Deflection Devices / Lane Narrowing/Kerb Extensions / Yes / - / - / Yes / -
Chicanes / Yes / Yes / - / - / -
Consultation
Consultation with the local community was an important part of the study and was conducted in three stages.
Stage 1 – The Stage 1 Community Consultation period ran from 9 November 2012 to 21 December 2012 and sought comment on current traffic problems/issues in the area together with the level of support and preference for traffic calming measures if implemented.
Stage 2 – The Stage 2 Community Consultation took place between the 1 March 2013 and 12 April 2013 and sought the community’s preferences for either of the two options (Option 1 and Option2) that were produced from a combination of community feedback and technical analyses.
Stage 3 – The Stage 3 Community Consultation informed the community of the final scheme for improvement and the proposed staged implementation of the works.
In Stage 1684 people participated in the feedback process. Key areas of concern included: --
Beaurepaire Crescent
The majority of residents (51% of people) consider increased through traffic volumes coming from other suburbs as the biggest traffic issue on Beaurepaire Crescent;
30% of respondents consider excessive traffic speeds an issue on this street; and
29% of respondents consider excessive traffic volumes as an issue on this street.
Residents on Beaurepaire Crescent identified that increased through traffic from other suburbs (83%) was the key perceived traffic issue on Beaurepaire Crescent, closely followed by excessive traffic volume (68%) and excessive traffic speed (66%).
Messenger Street
15% of respondents consider increased through traffic from other suburbs an issue on Messenger Street;
10% of respondents felt that irresponsible driving and reduced safety was an issue on Messenger Street;
10% of people felt that excessive traffic speeds were an issue; and
Residents on Messenger Street identified that excessive speed (78%) and irresponsible driving/reduced safety (78%) were the key perceived traffic issues on Messenger Street, closely followed by increased through traffic from other suburbs (56%).
Trickett Street
49% of respondents felt that increased through traffic from other suburbs was an issue on Trickett Street;
30% of respondents felt that excessive traffic volumes were an issue; and
Excessive traffic speeds were not highlighted as a major issue with 27% of respondents saying it was an issue and 41% of respondents saying that it was not an issue.
Residents on Trickett Street identified that increased through traffic from other suburbs (87%) was the key perceived traffic issue on Trickett Street, closely followed by excessive traffic volume (81%) and excessive traffic speed (81%).
In Stage 2, 364 people participated in the engagement process. The consultation presented two options to the community and sought their preference for the options and for the proposed treatment measures.
Beaurepaire Crescent
Among the respondents who support traffic calming treatments: --
24% of all respondents support Option 2; and
26% of residents on Beaurepaire Crescent support Option 2.
Messenger Street
Among the respondents who support traffic calming treatments: --
22% of all respondents support Option 1; and
An equal number of residents on Messenger Street support either Option 1 or Option 2 (35% and 30% respectively).
Trickett Street
Among the respondents who support traffic calming treatments: --
22% of all respondents support Option 2; and
46% of residents on Trickett Street support Option 2.
All feedback received in the consultation stages was collated and analysed and where appropriate, considered and incorporated into the final proposed traffic calming scheme.
Recommendations for Staged Implementation
A traffic management scheme has been finalised to improve traffic conditions for the study area.
In view of the results of the technical analysis and the feedback received from the community, and considering the technical effectiveness of the proposed treatments, the final scheme is based on Option 1 but also incorporates some Option 2 treatments at key locations.
LATM Master Plan and Priorities
It is important to note that the final scheme is an overall “Master plan” for the area and that not all proposed devices will be installed at once. The “Master Plan” will guide the implementation of the scheme over a number of years due to annual budgetary constraints.
In that context, priorities have been assigned to the proposed treatments based on the results of the technical analysis and the feedback from the community. It is anticipated that the detailed design and implementation of Priority 1 treatments will take place in 2013/14.
Priority 1 treatments include: --
Beaurepaire Crescent
line marking and kerb extensions at key locations;
Chicane between Southern Cross Drive and Armstrong Crescent; and
Chicane in the vicinity of Holt Place
Messenger Street
line marking and kerb extensions at key locations; and
speed cushion between Higgerson Street and Lindrum Crescent
Trickett Street
line marking and kerb extensions at key locations; and
speed cushion south of Griffiths Street
An evaluation of the effectiveness of these treatments will take place six months after their implementation. The evaluation will include a technical analysis of the scheme’s impacts and the residents’ views of the extent to which the stated objectives were achieved. Further implementation of Priority 2 treatments will depend on the results of this evaluation to ensure they are still effective and viable options for the study area.
The estimated probable cost of the Priority 1 treatments are as follows: --
Beaurepaire Crescent - $225,000 with a Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) of 1.0
Messenger Street - $60,000 with a BCR of 3.6
Trickett Street - $60,000 with a BCR of 3.6
It should also be noted that the LATM treatments will have additional benefits beyond the benefits considered in the benefit-cost analysis. By reducing traffic speeds in the neighbourhood, the treatments are expected to reduce through traffic and vehicle speeds as well as potentially improving residential amenity.