Residential Street Improvement Program

Residential Street Improvement Program

Sternberg Crescent

Executive Summary

1.0 Introduction

Roads ACT uses a Traffic Warrant System (TWS) to objectively assess the need for, and priority of, traffic management and road safety measures on residential streets. The TWS takes into account traffic volume, speed, crash history, volume of heavy vehicles and land use to provide a ranking for over 400 collector roads. This relative ranking is used to prioritise and instigate studies on area wide Local Area Traffic Management treatments.

As part of the 2013/14 Residential Street Improvement Program a list of priority streets were identified for investigation. This report focuses on the priority street of Sternberg Crescent in Wanniassa.

The aim of the project is to develop options to improve traffic conditions along Sternberg Crescent and to recommend a program of works within the available capital works funding. An important part of this project is seeking feedback from local residents and the surrounding community about what the issues are, what improvements should be implemented and what options would best suit the local community.

Residents of Sternberg Crescent in Wanniassa and other road users have voiced concerns over traffic speed, volume and road safety along Sternberg Crescent. Roads ACT engaged AECOM Australia Pty Ltd to develop options to improve traffic conditions along Sternberg Crescent and to recommend a program of works within the available capital works funding. An important part of this project is seeking feedback from local residents and the surrounding community about what the issues are, what improvements should be implemented and what options would best suit the local community.

To ensure that traffic management treatment options did not transfer traffic to other streets, the network of roads surrounding Sternberg Crescent were assessed for existing problems and complaints, and to ensure no adverse impact from improvements to Sternberg Crescent.

The study incorporated a technical analysis of traffic speed, volume and crash data along Sternberg Crescent and its surrounding streets, as well as feedback obtained from consultation. The technical analysis included:

An analysis of available traffic data (volume, speed and accident statistics) and bus passenger data at bus stops

A review of complaints received by Roads ACT

A review of road, pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure including networks, shared paths and movements, as well as public transport services such as frequency, times and routes of buses

Traffic growth and the diversion of traffic due to works on Sternberg Crescent or other adjacent roads was assessed using Canberra’s EMME strategic traffic model, for the weekday AM peak period.

The technical analysis was undertaken street by street with a particular focus on Sternberg Crescent, as well as careful consideration of issues adjacent to shops, schools and bus stops.

2.0 Streets considered in study

2.1 Sternberg Crescent

Sternberg Crescent is one of the longer lengths of road within the study area and connects to a number of the residential streets within Wanniassa. The road is a major collector and is of variable width from wide single carriageway to dual carriageway, with room for parking on both sides. However, street parking is not well-utilised most of the time, apart from in front of the Wanniassa School Junior Campus. This section is heavily used during school drop-off and pick-up times.

Sternberg Crescent is relatively busy in peak hours with some congestion for short periods of time at the school before and after the school day. There is some local traffic congestion in the dual carriageway section but it tends to be very short lived.

There are a number of on-road bus stops on either side of Sternberg Crescent with about three to five buses per hour in each direction during peak hours. These generally have little impact on the operation and safety of other traffic movements but can add to delay at Sternberg Crescent/Comrie Street and Ashley Drive/McBryde Crescent.

Public concerns regarding safety and congestion on neighbouring roads were raised during the consultation period and complaints relating directly to Sternberg Crescent are:

• safety concerns at Sternberg Crescent/McWhae Circuit intersection especially during peak hours – public suggested that signals at Comrie Street may assist
• vegetation (one mature she-oak tree) at Sternberg Crescent/Maltby Circuit creates visibility issues for vehicles and cyclists – public suggested that the tree could sensibly be removed
• speeding concerns raised along Sternberg Crescent particularly in the dual carriageway sector – public requested 60km/h speed should be enforced particularly at night
• parking at the Erindale centre becomes congested during peak hours and overflows
• safety concerns regarding safe crossing points for pedestrians across Sternberg Crescent at the Wanniassa School Junior Campus – request a children crossing or safe refuge islands that do not interfere with parking on the road.

Sternberg Crescent has relatively high traffic volumes and speeds on the dual carriageway sector and a number of fatal crashes have occurred along its length. The volumes (9,400 vehicles per day) generally exceed the desirable maximum traffic volume on major collectors (i.e. exceed 6,000 vehicles per day). At these volumes it is difficult for drivers to access side roads or driveways (restricted to the single carriageway sectors), or for pedestrians to cross the road.

There were 80 crashes, including 15 injury crashes and two fatalities, on Sternberg Crescent in the last five year period. Most of these crashes were at the intersections with Ashley Drive, Comrie Street and Langdon Avenue.

The main objectives for treatments on Sternberg Crescent are:

• reduce travelling speeds
• improve safety at intersections
• Langdon Avenue
• Comrie Street
• Maltby Circuit
• McWhae Circuit
• Wynne Street
• Fincham Crescent
• improve pedestrian safety.

The following treatments are proposed to address these objectives along Sternberg Crescent:

• Maltby Circuit – tree removal to improve intersection sight distance
• Sternberg Crescent – improved street lighting
• Ashley Drive – install a roundabout
• Comrie Street – install traffic signals
• Langdon Avenue – install a roundabout
• Fincham Crescent – install a roundabout
• Wanniassa Junior School – install a pedestrian refuge.

2.2 McBryde Crescent

McBryde Crescent is a major collector in the vicinity of the Erindale Centre and Erindale College and a minor collector in the vicinity of St Mary MacKillop College and Trinity Christian School.

The following issues were raised during consultation in relation to McBryde Crescent:

• speed zone variation
• pedestrian safety near Trinity Christian School.

The Major Collector sector of McBryde Crescent is mainly providing access to the various services along and near its length. At shopping and eating peak times, turning movements dominate the traffic flows. At these times, buses and through traffic are also using McBryde Crescent.

The Minor Collector sector of McBryde Crescent is mainly providing access to the schools, churches and nearby residences. Turning movements also are significant on this sector. Pedestrian activity around the schools is high immediately before and after school hours. The morning commuter peak coincides with the morning school arrival peak causing high traffic volume issues. The afternoon school pick up peak can create greater parking demand as parents, carers and buses wait for the school children to emerge from the school.

McBryde Crescent is carrying 2,900 vehicles per day between Mackinnon Street and Bromley Street. The 85th percentile speed was 65km/h, well above the applicable general urban speed limit of 50km/h. There were 124 crashes, including nine injury crashes, on McBryde Crescent in the last five year period. Most of these crashes were at the intersections with Ashley Drive, Gartside Street and Wynne Street.

The following works are already proposed for McBryde Crescent and are to be implemented in 2014:

• traffic Signals at Ashley Drive/McBryde Crescent
• pedestrian refuge at Erindale College near rear of Woolworth’s petrol station
• children’s crossing at Trinity Christian College.

The main objective for treatments on McBryde Crescent is to improve speed limit consistency/awareness and improve pedestrian safety.

It is proposed to lower the speed limit on McBryde Crescent to 50km/h.

2.3 Fincham Crescent

The following issues were raised during consultation in relation to Fincham Crescent:

• intersection issues with Sternberg Crescent
• varying speed limits.

The vertical alignment of Sternberg Crescent on its westbound approach to the intersection with Fincham Crescent is such that there is insufficient sight distance available for westbound vehicles to be readily seen at all times by vehicles exiting Fincham Crescent. A stop sign has been installed on Fincham Crescent but this does not fully address the fundamental issue. It is likely to be expensive to improve the vertical profile of Sternberg Crescent.

Fincham Crescent has a 60km/h speed limit between Athllon Drive and Wheeler Crescent where there is no formal property access and a 50km/h speed limit between Wheeler Crescent and Sternberg Crescent where there is direct residential property access. The 50km/h section is signposted in Fincham Crescent after Wheeler Crescent. There is no complementary signage in Fincham Crescent after leaving Sternberg Crescent when travelling in the opposite direction.

Fincham Crescent is carrying 5,500 vehicles per day between Athllon Drive and Wheeler Crescent and 2,100 vehicles per day between Wheeler Crescent and Sternberg Crescent. The 85th percentile speed was 61km/h between Athllon Drive and Wheeler Crescent and increased to 69km/h between Wheeler Crescent and Sternberg Crescent, well above the applicable general urban speed limit of 50km/h. There were 43 crashes, including eight injury crashes, on Fincham Crescent in the last five year period. Most of these crashes were at the intersection with Athllon Drive.

The main objective for any treatments on Fincham Crescent is to improve safety at intersection and improve speed limit consistency/awareness.

It is proposed to install speed cushions near DeGraves Crescent (N) in association with walkway to Illingworth Street and to install roundabouts (2) at the intersections with Forlonge Street and Sternberg Crescent.

2.4 Wheeler Crescent

The following issues were raised during stage 1 consultation in relation to Wheeler Crescent:

• speeding.

Wheeler Crescent has a 60km/h speed limit for its full length. There are two regional schools accessed from Wheeler Crescent and 40km/h school zones operate during school hours. Speeding within the school zones presents pedestrian safety issues.

Wheeler Crescent is carrying 1,300 vehicles per day between Duffus Place and Jenner Court and 2,400 vehicles per day between Greeves Street and Kirkton Street. The 85th percentile speed was 67km/h between Duffus Place and Jenner Court and to 68km/h between Greeves Street and Kirkton Street, above the applicable speed limit of 60km/h. There were 36 crashes, including six injury crashes, on Wheeler Crescent in the last five year period. Most of the casualty crashes were at the eastern intersection with Sternberg Crescent.

The main objective for any treatments on Wheeler Crescent is to reduce travelling speeds.

It is proposed to install speed cushions near the underpass near Hyland Place and between Byrne Street and Greeves Street.

2.5 Longmore Crescent

The following issues were raised during stage 1 consultation in relation to Longmore Crescent:

• speeding.

Longmore Crescent has a 50km/h speed limit for its full length. In some parts it only has development on one side. It also has some steep downhill sections. There is no speed limit sign posting in Longmore Crescent. These factors can lead to increased operating speeds.

Longmore Crescent is carrying 1,600 vehicles per day near Wilkie Place, 1,100 vehicles per day near Rees Place and 800 vehicles per day near McKenna Street. The 85th percentile speed was 68km/h near Wilkie Place, 66 km/h near Rees Place and 69 km/h near McKenna Street, wellabove the applicable general urban speed limit of 50km/h. There were 20 crashes, including three injury crashes, on Longmore Crescent in the last five year period. Most of the crashes were at the western roundabout intersection with Langdon Avenue and the roundabout intersection with Sainsbury Street.

The main objective for any treatments on Longmore Crescent is to reduce travelling speeds.

It is proposed to install speed cushions near McKenna Street and between Harker Place and Pettit Place (in association with walkway to Maltby Circuit).

2.6 Summary of technical analysis

The technical analysis for the project included a review of traffic volumes, 85th percentile speeds and crashes during the five year period from 2008 to 2012.

Sites that were shown to have a technical issue (ie. high speeds, volumes or crash incidence) and were raised as a concern for the community were given priority for the investigation process.

A summary of observed traffic volumes and speeds was presented in the public consultation sessions. The incidence of reported crashes for a five year period from 2008 to 2012 was shown to the community. As an example, there were 80 crashes on Sternberg Crescent (excluding the intersection with Erindale Drive), including 15 injury crashes and two fatalities. 124 crashes occurred along McBryde Crescent with nine crashes requiring medical attention. Crash and speed data on other streets within Wanniassa is available upon request.

3.0 Development of Options

Considering the data above and community feedback (see consultation), a traffic management concept with two sub options were developed to improve traffic conditions on Sternberg Crescent, as well as issues on surrounding streets identified during the analysis of traffic data and from community feedback.

Option 1 proposed roundabouts on Sternberg Crescent at Langdon Avenue and Ashley Drive while Option 2 proposed painted turning lanes on Sternberg Crescent at Langdon Avenue and Ashley Drive. The other treatments were common to both options, and are detailed in Table 3 1.

Table 3 1Concept Treatment

Street / Main Issues of Concern / Proposed Treatments
Sternberg Crescent / Speeding
Pedestrian safety
Intersection issues
Traffic volumes
Safety near Wanniassa Junior Campus / Pedestrian refuge at Wanniassa Junior Campus
Roundabout at intersection with Fincham Crescent
Traffic light at intersection with Comrie Street
Remove trees at intersection with Maltby Circuit
Improve lighting on dual carriageway section
Option 1
Roundabouts at intersections with Ashley Drive, Langdon Avenue
Option 2
Right turn lanes at intersections with Ashley Drive, Langdon Avenue
McBryde Crescent / Improve speed consistency
Improve pedestrian safety / Lower 60km/h speed limit to 50km/h on McBryde Crescent and Amsinck Street
Fincham Crescent / Improve safety at intersections
Improve speed consistency / Roundabout at intersections with Forlonge Street and Sternberg Crescent
Speed cushions near DeGraves Crescent (N) in association with walkway to Illingworth Street
Wheeler Crescent / Reduce travelling speeds / Speed cushions near underpass near Hyland Place
and between Byrne Street and Greeves Street
Longmore Crescent / Reduce travelling speeds / Speed cushions near McKenna Street and between Harker Place and Pettit Place in association with walkway to Maltby Circuit

The technical merits of the community suggestions and complaints were considered in developing the suite of options. The two optional elements are compared in Table 3 2.

Table 3 2Comparison of Option 1 and Option 2 elements

Objective / Option 1 / Option 2
Reduce travelling speeds
- an issue of concern on most streets in the area / - More effective in reducing speeds on Sternberg Crescent / - Limited effect in reducing speeds on Sternberg Crescent
Improve safety at intersections
- mostly of concern at
intersections along Sternberg Crescent, and Fincham Crescent / - More effective in improving safety at intersections along Sternberg Crescent / - Limited effect in improving safety at intersections along Sternberg Crescent
Improve pedestrian safety
- a particular issue of concern on Sternberg Crescent at Comrie Street
Street and at Wanniassa SchoolJunior Campus / - Some effect in improving pedestrian safety along Sternberg Crescent / - Limited effect in improving pedestrian safety along Sternberg Crescent

4.0 Community Consultation

A consultation strategy was prepared for the project, in conjunction with Roads ACT, to capture community concerns on local traffic management issues and provide the community with the opportunity to provide feedback on proposed improvements for the area. The consultations were undertaken in three stages and included the following:

Stage 1
Identifying issues and concerns / Stage 2
Presenting options for improvement / Stage 3
Reporting on final scheme and priorities
Media release / / /
Community noticeboard advertisement / /
Newsletter / / /
Household survey / /
Online survey / /
Stakeholder input / /
Information on Time-to-Talk and TAMS website / / /
Public information sessions / /
Information at ACT Government shopfronts and libraries / /

In September/October 2013 Roads ACT collected feedback about issues of concern from residents of Wanniassa and the wider community. Feedback received included 439 survey responses and one email submission. 168 people also attended the information sessions.