2014-03-25 Planning & Organisation Committee Agenda Pages 81-167

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                 25 MARCH 2014


Speed Management in Ecologically Sensitive Areas

The applicant has proposed the creation of a 40km/h speed zone over that section of the link
road between Precincts 2 and 3 in the vicinity of the Hollett Road reserve – a distance of
approximately 500 metres - to manage the impacts of the road on fauna within this ecologically
sensitive area. Such an arrangement is not considered appropriate or effective because:
     the roadway is located in a rural-type area, remote from urban development, where the
      introduction of an isolated and low speed limit is unexpected by drivers. This creates a
      potential safety hazard, significant non-compliance issues and frustration for drivers
     the proposal is not consistent with State guidelines for speed limits (Manual of Uniform
      Traffic Control Devices), which permits 40km/h speed zones to be considered only in front
      of schools, local residential streets, or on roads through strip shopping centres, commercial
      areas or business districts where there is obvious and frequent pedestrian activity along
      and across the road
     creation of a 40km/h zone would require the frequent placement of severe traffic calming
      devices (such as speed platforms or chicanes). Experience has shown that even with the
      frequent placement of such devices on through traffic roads, a reduction in the 85th
      percentile speed to 40km/h is not achieved and the devices themselves become a vehicle
      safety hazard and ongoing maintenance concern
     the introduction of traffic calming devices creates a potential hazard for on-road cyclists.
      The construction of bicycle bypasses around such hazards would result in the need to
      provide a wider pavement footprint and impact further on adjacent vegetation
     experience has shown that, in addition to performance issues within the isolated speed
      limited zone itself, drivers who use the road on a regular basis speed-up along other
      sections of roadway in the local area (including residential streets within the Precincts
      themselves) in order to make-up any real or perceived loss in travel time
     in any case, the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads requires the link
      road to operate as a bus route, the design guidelines for which specifically require the
      roadway to not impede the potential for the safe and efficient movement of buses and do
      not support the use of traffic calming devices.
This section of the link road would most likely be sign posted at 60km/h, which is typical for such
a road in similar settings. Measures to minimise the impacts on fauna of the proposed link road
should not, therefore, rely upon the presence of an artificially low speed limit, which is both
ineffective and a safety hazard.

It should also be noted that the more open and straight nature of Tidswell Road to the south
means a higher speed environment of 70-80km/h would be in operation on this stretch of road
between the southern end of the site (Precinct 2) and Eumarella Road.

Impacts on External Road Network

Council engaged traffic expert, Colin Beard of Beard Traffic Engineering, to peer review the
applicant’s traffic report and assess impacts on the local road network. Mr Beard maintained a
position that he does not support the proposed new roundabout on Walter Hay Drive and the
applicant was advised of this at an early stage. His peer review finds:

I do not support the development of the primary site access via a new roundabout on Walter Hay
Drive, because of the importance of the maintenance of uninterrupted traffic flow on that road
link. It might be possible to locally reduce the posted speed limit to 80 km/hour, but not to the
lower speed, with the reversal of priority, necessarily involved in a four-way roundabout.




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