Advancing Safety in Urban and Accessible Transport Environments
Explore innovative safety strategies, from speed limit reviews and traffic calming evaluations to low-traffic neighbourhood designs and improving safety outcomes for wheelchair-accessible vehicles through behavior change programs. Learn how to create safer, more inclusive communities for all.
Session Summary
- Launceston Speed Limit Review | Nigel Coates, City of Launceston
- Low Traffic Neighbourhoods: uses, challenges and addressing the needs of diverse populations | Neiad Adams - Austin, London Borough of Waltham Forest
- A Methodology for Evaluating the Effectiveness of Traffic Calming Treatments | Doug Bartlett, National Transport Research Organisation (NTRO)
- Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) Safety: Preliminary Findings of a Behaviour Change Program | Ha Anh Nguyen, Safe Transport Victoria
Presenters
Launceston Speed Limit Review
Nigel Coates
City of Launceston
Nigel Coates has over 40 years' experience in local government working in traffic management, road safety engineering and active transport planning. 24 of these years were in the UK at Oxford City Council and London Borough of Hillingdon where Nigel developed and implemented many successful traffic management and bike route schemes. Nigel is Engineering Officer, Traffic at City of Launceston where he has continued to implement many small scale projects in an Australian context that make a big difference the lives of local people. Nigel has presented papers at conferences in the UK, mainland Europe and Australia. He is a member of the AITPM and an ALGA representative on the Austroads Road Safety Task Force.
Abstract Synopsis
The Launceston Speed Limit review, implemented in October 2023, revisited a 2013 review that had stalled due to political and organisational challenges. Following the adoption of the Launceston Transport Strategy in 2021, the City Council focused on enhancing safety and livability.
The project initially faced resistance from local political leaders and police, who were concerned about enforcement. Speed limit changes were made on arterial roads based on crash data and speed-related incidents, aiming to align speed limits with the road environment rather than artificially reduce speeds. In shopping precincts, speed reductions aimed to reduce risk and improve livability, especially where congestion naturally slowed traffic. This presentation will demonstrate how the early results show promising outcomes, with a citywide reduction in crashes in 2024.
Low Traffic Neighbourhoods: uses, challenges and addressing the needs of diverse populations
Neiad Adams - Austin
London Borough of Waltham Forest
Neiad is a Senior Traffic Engineer who joins from the London Borough of Waltham Forest, UK. With over seven years working within the borough, Neiad has played a pivotal role in designing, analysing and delivering highways, parking, active travel and traffic safety schemes across the borough.
Abstract Synopsis
Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) are an emerging solution to reduce motor vehicle dominance, promoting active travel, safer streets, and more sustainable transportation. LTNs aim to lower traffic speeds, reduce accidents, and create more inclusive environments. While globally successful in minimizing vehicle use impacts, LTNs have generated polarized opinions, especially in culturally and ethnically diverse or marginalized communities. This polarization often results from inadequate community engagement, leading to confusion about the benefits and impacts of LTNs.
Drawing from firsthand experience in implementing LTNs in London and research on their impact on Black, Asian, and minority ethnic residents, this presentation highlights common challenges in LTN adoption. It will offer practical recommendations to improve engagement and address concerns, ensuring more inclusive and sustainable outcomes for all communities.
A Methodology for Evaluating the Effectiveness of Traffic Calming Treatments
Doug Bartlett
National Transport Research Organisation (NTRO)
Doug has over 20 years' experience working with public works infrastructure and assets for local governments in Australia. Doug has managed teams who delivered services in asset management, development engineering, traffic engineering, drainage engineering, project management, engineering design, fleet maintenance, waste collection, and infrastructure maintenance.
He has expertise in, and has worked directly on, all aspects of asset management for the asset classes of roads, paths, stormwater drainage, buildings, parks, fleet, and coastal infrastructure. He has also lead projects in the strategic planning for roads, paths, parks and stormwater assets, and has been a lead organisation representative on land use planning of infrastructure assets.
Abstract Synopsis
As part of an ongoing program funded through the Road Trauma Trust Account, Main Roads WA works with local governments to install low cost urban road safety treatments. To ensure the funds are being applied effectively, the evaluation of effectiveness of the treatments has been undertaken under the WA Road Research and Innovation Program.
This presentation will explain the research that was undertaken and the resulting methodology that has been derived for the evaluations, covering local consultation, crash histories, site assessments and comparisons of speed distributions. The methodology was applied to the evaluation of over 50 treatments and will be further refined.
The intention is that any local governments and their consultants can adopt the methodology and undertake similar assessments. Key learnings will be presented such as the importance of pre-installation planning to acquire the right data sets, and what to consider through project design, construction and post-construction evaluations.
Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) Safety: Preliminary Findings of a Behaviour Change Program
Ha Anh Nguyen
Safe Transport Victoria
Ha Anh Nguyen is the Behavioural Scientist at Safe Transport Victoria (ST Vic). He holds a PhD in Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion from Monash University. Before joining ST Vic, Ha Anh had a 10-year working experience in the academia as a lecturer and researcher in transport operations and safety.
Abstract Synopsis
In Victoria, over 3,000 drivers are accredited to operate Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs), but many lack ongoing training in updated safety protocols, leading to incidents caused by driver errors, such as improper loading, unloading, or securing passengers.
To address these issues, Safe Transport Victoria (ST Vic) launched a WAV Behaviour Change Program, which included both online and on-site components. The online part featured safety videos on social media, providing drivers with guidance on key safety practices, including proper loading, unloading, and securing passengers.
The on-site component offered hands-on refresher training at five events across Victoria, focusing on practical safety skills.
This presentation evaluates the program's impact on driver safety awareness and practices, using driver sentiment and pre/post-program surveys.
Co-Author
Maryam Raji
Safe Tranpsort Victoria
Maryam Raji is the Change Behaviour Advisor at Safe Transport Victoria (ST Vic). She holds a PhD in Management from the University of Melbourne and a First-Class degree in Engineering from the University of Sheffield. Maryam excels in analytical problem-solving and driving impactful change.
