Page 6049 - Week 14 - Thursday, 8 December 2011
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
(8) The Frequent Network corridors will be incorporated in the Territory Plan by the end of 2013, subject to community consultation, Assembly agreement and the normal Territory Plan Variation processes. This timing will be confirmed in the final Transport for Canberra policy.
(9) The rationale for the adoption of minimum coverage standards is included in the Coverage Services Delivery Study, 2011, McCormickRankinCagney, available at www.transport.act.gov.au/references.html and will be expanded in the final Transport for Canberra policy. It is noted that Melbourne also has a minimum 60 minute standard for lower density areas.
(10) The current bus network already meets the proposed coverage standard of 60 minute frequency within 500 meters of 95% of residences. The 30 minute frequency between group and town centres will need to be included in the government’s budget decision making process, under consideration for 2012-13 and 2013-14 budgets.
(11) The design, construction and costing of a bus network is a complex and time consuming task undertaken in the ACT’s scheduling system (HASTUS), and is subject to a range of business rules associated with legislative and other obligations in ACTION’s current employment agreement.
This process would require resourcing over a number of months and, therefore, it is not possible in the time available to answer the Member’s question. However, a spreadsheet-based estimate by TAMS and ESDD shows that:
a. to increase all coverage services to 30 minute frequency, would represent at least a 50% increase in current ACTION funding;
b. to increase all coverage services to 15 minute frequency, would represent at least a 150% increase in current ACTION funding; and
c. to provide this increased service, over $150 million of capital expenditure would be required to purchase additional bus fleet and depot facilities.
(12) Trials of 40 km/h speed limit zones were implemented in the Gungahlin and Woden Town Centres in August 2011. Following evaluation of these trials in early 2012, the Government may consider extending 40 km/h speed limit zones to other Town Centres.
The Government will be reviewing regulations around parking and provision of end of trip facilities as part of implementing Transport for Canberra.
(13) To reduce pedestrian wait times at traffic lights the Government is investigating opportunities to automatically trigger pedestrian ‘walk’ signals, where feasible. This has recently been completed at intersections along Northbourne Ave and further intersections will be considered.
The Government is also actively looking at ways to reduce the cycle time of traffic lights outside peak periods in order to reduce pedestrian waiting times.
‘Greenwaves’ for cyclists and pedestrian priority will be considered as part of transport corridor studies like the Northbourne Avenue Transport Corridor Study currently underway.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video