Redefining Travel Modes: Enhancing Safety, Accessibility, and Integration in Modern Mobility
Discover how valuing secondary travel modes, solving active transport modelling challenges, enhancing road safety, and optimising public transport with park-and-ride strategies can transform mobility and create a more connected, people-centric transport network.
Session Summary
- Undervaluing Secondary travel modes | Graham McCabe, STEP Advisory
- Active Transport Modelling- Issues and solutions | Peter Davidson, TransPosition
- Making roads work for people - Safety improvements at Main Street / Hutton St / Royal St, Osborne Park | Shanelle McDonald, GHD
- Public Transport & P 'n' R Strategy | Samira Namin, GHD
Presenters
Undervaluing secondary travel modes
Graham McCabe
STEP Advisory
Graham is a transport planner and traffic engineer with over 25 years' experience in developing and leading innovative transport planning and traffic engineering projects.
Graham has deep experience and understanding in the interrelationship between land-use, activity and transport.
He has developed innovative designs to enable improved connectivity at a human and city scale, and specialises in cost effective, holistic transport solutions.
Abstract Synopsis
Using Census data from 2016, an exploration of the role of secondary modes for Journey to Work travel was undertaken across the capital cities from both an origin and destination perspective.
This analysis was completed to highlight the lack off attention played to support modes in transport planning, with Journey to Work information using only the 11 main modes (train, bus, ferry, tram, taxi, car as driver, car as passenger, truck, motorcycle, bicycle and walked only) being report.
Further, planners often include did not work or did not go to work in their mode share analysis. By looking further into the data at both an origin and destination level, gaps within the transport system can be identified.
This presentation discusses the method and findings of this analysis.
Active transport modelling - issues and solutions
Peter Davidson
TransPosition
Peter is planner and modeller with over 30 years experience, mostly in the consultancy TransPosition, which he founded in 1993.
He has a passion for modelling, and in developing software used for models, including the TPACS model, which has been used to prepare advice for over $20b of investment decisions.
Abstract Synopsis
This presentation addresses the challenges of modelling active transport (AT) demand, which is often treated as a secondary thought in transport models.
AT trips are typically short, with walking trips averaging 750m and cycling trips averaging 3.5km, making them difficult to manage within traditional traffic zones. The variability in people's willingness to walk or cycle and their preferences further complicates modelling. AT's self-powered nature means travellers prioritise energy efficiency, often seeking shortcuts and avoiding hills.
The TPACS model overcomes these challenges by using point-to-point, multi-modal travel and incorporating detailed networks, including streets, paths, parks, and buildings. The model's cost functions account for traffic volumes, slope, and market segment variations.
The presentation also highlights data and network challenges and discusses the model's applications, results, and future directions.
Co-Authors
Morgan Weston
TransPosition
Morgan Weston completed her PhD in quantum optics and quantum computation in early 2017 and has since been working at TransPosition in Brisbane.
She has been involved in a variety of projects, which include setting up the 4S models in Sydney and Melbourne and modelling network improvements in Toowoomba. Morgan was involved in the toll road modelling used for the bid advice for the sale of Sydney Motorways/WestConnex, and other modelling projects that involved comparisons between potential road alignments and new public transport options.
Recently Morgan has focused on understanding how key transport parameters such as fuel prices, road charges and additional public transport influence travel behaviour and mode share.
Naomi Holt
TransPosition
Naomi has two years' experience as a transport analyst and modeller. Prior to this, she completed her PhD in experimental social cognitive psychology where she developed expertise in research, academic writing and presentations, statistical analysis, data visualisation, and programming. This work earned her the Dean's Award for outstanding Higher Degree by Research for the School of Psychology. Naomi served as part of the traffic and revenue advisory team in the bid for Melbourne's major toll road EastLink. Here, she assisted in the development and calibration of the multi-modal TPACS model for Greater Melbourne.
Naomi has also assisted in the modelling and distributional analysis of alternative charging policies using the Queensland TPACS model as part of data analysis and modelling services provided to Transport and Main Roads.
Making roads work for people - Safety improvements at Main Street / Hutton St / Royal St, Osborne Park
Shanelle McDonald
GHD
Shanelle is a Senior ITS / Electrical Engineer at GHD with over 12 years of experience in ITS, street lighting and traffic signal design and project management.
She has undertaken designs for a wide variety of road projects across Australia and loves to help clients solve problems.
Abstract Synopsis
This presentation presents a case study addressing pedestrian safety and amenity on Main St, Osborne Park, Perth, a high street with both movement and place functions.
The area faced inadequate pedestrian facilities, a low level of service at the intersection, and increasing safety risks due to traffic growth and higher density development.
The City of Stirling, GHD, and Main Roads WA collaborated to improve safety and facilitate safe movement for both vehicles and pedestrians.
The resulting solution included a raised intersection platform, mid-block signalised pedestrian crossing, modified intersection traffic signals, speed limit changes, and landscaping.
The project serves as a model for similar contexts, balancing user priorities and enhancing community benefit.
Public Transport & P 'n' R Strategy
Samira Namin
GHD
Samira is a Chartered Professional Engineer with 24 years' experience overall and 13 years as an electrical engineer working in the Intelligent Transport Systems space. She comes from security and surveillance background. During the 13 years' time, she acquired knowledge and experience when she was part of Iran's Customs Administration (IRICA) integrated detection and screening solution projects.
She worked with world leading international companies for federal government and used electrical engineering principles to stop human trafficking and goods smuggling at seaports, border lines and airports. Here experiences in Australia consists of Brisbane City Council (BCC), Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR), WSP and Aurecon.
Abstract Synopsis
Queensland Rail (QR), in collaboration with the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR), is expanding its network under the Queensland Infrastructure Plan to meet the state's growing demands. This includes delivering new lines, stations, and trains, alongside TMR's Park 'n' Ride program in South-East Queensland (SEQ), designed to reduce congestion and minimise local traffic impacts.
The Cannon Hill station upgrade, completed in April 2022, added 80 parking spaces and improved accessibility through ramps, lifts, and upgraded safety measures like advanced lighting systems and CCTV.
Park 'n' Ride is a key component of an integrated transport system, supporting station access via buses, taxis, rideshares, walking, and cycling. This presentation will highlight how emerging transport options like Personal Mobility Devices and Mobility as a Service (MaaS) providers evolve, and the way they expected to shape the future role of Park 'n' Ride in transport and land use planning.
