On the Footpaths

[Mozz]

Great article on the benefits of active transport (walking)

[ozbob]

Indeed Mozz ...

Sydney Morning Herald --> How treating pedestrians better will boost the economy

... Walking is by far the most important mode of transport in our most valuable economic locations – especially the CBDs of Sydney and Melbourne. But not nearly enough attention is given to how efficiently pedestrians can make their way around these key business hubs. ...

Same for Brisbane ...

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Streets have turned into battleground for older pedestrians

[ozbob]

Adam Ruins Everything - Why Jaywalking Is a Crime

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Despite 8000 jaywalking fines in two years, pedestrian fatalities continue to climb

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Brisbane schools sign up to active transport scheme

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Brisbane's most high-risk CBD pedestrian crossings revealed

[ozbob]

29th December 2016

Media Release
Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports and Minister for Energy, Biofuels and Water Supply
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Pedestrian safety at Gold Coast and Logan signalised intersections

Changes have been made to 13 intersections across the City of Gold Coast and Logan City to improve pedestrian safety for Queenslanders.

Main Roads and Road Safety Minister Mark Bailey said the improvements were part of a $1.7 million program across 112 intersections, state-wide.

"We embarked on an extensive review of signalised intersections on state-controlled roads last year to identify intersections which could be made safer by delaying left-turning vehicles," Mr Bailey said.

"We did this by looking at the past 10 years of crash data and pedestrian and traffic counts."

Mr Bailey said by delaying green lights for turning vehicles, another important layer of protection was added for pedestrians.

"The treatment works by delaying turning vehicles for a short period of time (typically four to six seconds)," he said.

"This allows pedestrians enough time to walk onto the crossing and for motorists to see them.

City of Gold Coast intersections:

    North Street and Scarborough Street, Southport
    Currumbin Creek Road / Mainsail Street / Bienvenue Drive, Currumbin Waters
    Southport–Nerang Road / Kamholtz Court / Central Park Avenue, Molendinar
    Gold Coast Highway and Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads
    Gold Coast Highway and Babbidge Street, Biggera Waters
    Gold Coast Highway (Frank Street) and Central Street, Labrador
    Nerang Connection Road (Ferry Street) and Nerang Street, Nerang.

Logan City intersections:

    Brisbane–Beenleigh Road (Kingston Road) / Queens Road / Mayes Avenue, Kingston
    Logan Road (Brisbane–Beenleigh Road) and Underwood Road, Underwood
    Kingston Road and Compton Road, Woodridge
    Springwood Connection Road (Wembley Road) / Jacaranda Avenue / Railway Parade, Logan Central
    Springwood Connection Road (Paradise Road) and Meakin Road, Slacks Creek.

ENDS

[ozbob]

These real-time pedestrian and cyclist counters are coming to Brisbane soon! (Photo source: Eco Counter) pic.twitter.com/XHq0rYVs0Y

— Adrian Schrinner (@Schrinner) May 15, 2017

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> On warpath for footpaths: Nationals senator John Williams pushes for scooter speed clampdown

Does 10km/h make you a speed freak? A crusading politician says it does when you are travelling on a footpath.

The humble mobility scooter spells freedom for the elderly and people with disabilities. But it is also at the centre of an unlikely new battle, with Nationals senator John "Wacka" Williams backing new speed limits for the vehicles.

The NSW National wants tougher regulations after his wife, Nancy Capel, was hit by a speeding "gopher" last year and forced to have a hip operation.

But for Barbara Lund, an 89-year old resident of an aged-care facility in Canberra's Red Hill, her mobility scooter represents a lifeline, offering independence she would be otherwise denied.

Ms Lund has been using the vehicle for four years, mainly to get to the shops, and believes it is a godsend for the elderly and people with disabilities.

"Mostly I value the independence. I had to give up my car and I miss that terribly," Ms Lund said.

What is now a multi-billion dollar industry began in 1968 in a Michigan garage. To help a family member with multiple sclerosis, plumber Alan R. Thieme spent countless evenings developing a motorised cart. The result was the Amigo, which travelled at 5-6km/h.

And that is as fast as they should be allowed to go, according to Senator Williams, who at the Nationals federal conference in Canberra this weekend will ask colleagues to back a proposal for a 6km/h speed limit. He also wants a ban on scooters weighing more than 150 kilograms

Ms Lund has been using the vehicle for four years, mainly to get to the shops, and believes it is a godsend for the elderly and people with disabilities.

"Mostly I value the independence. I had to give up my car and I miss that terribly," Ms Lund said.

What is now a multi-billion dollar industry began in 1968 in a Michigan garage. To help a family member with multiple sclerosis, plumber Alan R. Thieme spent countless evenings developing a motorised cart. The result was the Amigo, which travelled at 5-6km/h.

And that is as fast as they should be allowed to go, according to Senator Williams, who at the Nationals federal conference in Canberra this weekend will ask colleagues to back a proposal for a 6km/h speed limit. He also wants a ban on scooters weighing more than 150 kilograms.

Currently, mobility scooters in Australia have a compulsory top speed of 10km/h, lower than the 12km/h limit imposed in Britain, and they come with a switch that can reduce their maximum speed in high-traffic pedestrian areas.

In most Australian states and territories, mobility scooter users do not require a licence, registration or third party insurance. But dozens of injuries and even deaths have been linked to the personal vehicles over recent years.

"They are a tremendous assistance for those who are frail or immobile, but we have got to have safe footpaths as well," Senator Williams said.

"Here's the problem. Someone elderly fails their licence test because they are viewed as a dangerous driver. They surrender their car. They go and buy a mobility scooter. You're a danger to the public if you drive a car down a road but you're not a danger if you drive a scooter down a footpath?"

But his latest campaign – which follows a push for on-the-spot fines and registration schemes – has been met with fierce opposition from one leading Australian scooter business.

"Nationals senator John Williams makes claims he knows nothing about if ... his attitudes to mobility scooters is anything to go by," Peter Fraser, the managing director of Scooters Australia, said.

Mr Fraser blasted the senator's claims about mobility scooter standards overseas as "complete rubbish".

"Just because Senator Williams' wife was injured in a mobility scooter accident is no reason to change the law to suit one politician," Mr Fraser said.

Senator Williams was scathing of that view.

"All I know is I don't want what happened to my wife happening to anyone else," he said.

Ms Lund did not see the need for more rules, saying people are already told not to carry passengers or go on roads.

"Provided people stick to the rules, I can't see there's any danger at all."

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ConversationUK/status/1003581504096735233

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Calls for speed to be 30km/h in Brisbane CBD

Bicycle Queensland wants Brisbane's CBD speed limits reduced to 30km/h so pedestrians and cyclists have a better chance of surviving a crash.

There has been a spate of pedestrian incidents in Brisbane recently that left two dead and two others injured.

Brisbane City Council reduced the speed limit to 40km/h on a majority of CBD streets in 2009 in an attempt to slow the accident rate, but Ann and Turbot streets remained at 60km/h.

State government Queensland road crash data collated by Bicycle Queensland revealed that following the speed change the rate of crashes had not changed, with 90 in the seven years before 2009 and 90 crashes after, but the crash severity had reduced.

Bicycle Queensland chief executive Ann Savage said the data backed up the international evidence that lowering speed limits saved lives.

"Analysis of road crash data has proven that a 10km/h reduction in the speed limit reduced the average crash cost in car crashes involving a cyclist in the Brisbane CBD by $30,000 per crash, from about $250,000 to $220,000 – lowering the number of fatalities and serious injuries over a five-year period," she said.

"According to United Nations data, even just a 5 per cent cut in the average speed reduces the number of fatal crashes by 30 per cent, and 47 countries have already implemented lower urban speed limits and laws that allow local authorities to further reduce speed limits to protect people on foot and riding bikes.

"International experts – including the United Nations – recommend setting speed limits at 30km/h or lower when motorised traffic mixes with pedestrians and bike riders.

"Setting the Brisbane CBD speed limit at 30km/h would save lives and help to stop vehicles rushing through traffic lights to try and beat peak-hour gridlock."

On Tuesday Brisbane lord mayor Graham Quirk said people should stop focusing on technology and worry more about personal safety when crossing roads.

Ms Savage said while individual awareness was important if a vehicle hit a pedestrian at a slower speed the pedestrian was likely to survive and suffer less serious injuries.

"We can reach the goal of zero deaths on our roads and in the Brisbane CBD, but we need to lower the speed limit and create protected pathways for pedestrians and cyclists," she said.

Brisbane City Council's public and active transport chairman Adrian Schrinner said while speed was one factor that could contribute to accidents it was far from the only factor.

"Speed limits on CBD have already been reduced to 40km/h for most streets and initial reports from the most recent accidents indicated that speed was not necessarily a factor," Cr Schrinner said.

"Council's bus drivers receive extensive road-safety training before commencing and throughout their employment, the training drivers receive is considered best-practice across the industry.

"In a city like Brisbane, regular construction, business deliveries and public transport requirements mean it is not feasible to impose a partial or complete ban on heavy vehicles."

The Pedestrian Council of Australia has also recently called for speed limits to be reduced to 30km/h in built-up areas.

Cr Schrinner said the lord mayor would meet with police to discuss a public safety campaign for pedestrians and to discuss road safety improvements in Brisbane's CBD.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Schrinner/status/1012456021489377281

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/danielbowen/status/1016661790745247745

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Cameras to study jaywalkers in Brisbane CBD after recent accidents at intersections

Illegal jaywalkers will be under video surveillance in Brisbane's CBD under a new plan to improve pedestrian safety in the wake of recent incidents where people have been injured or killed in traffic accidents at intersections.

The Brisbane City Council (BCC) said it would identify the top 20 danger zones where pedestrian accidents were commonly occurring.

Yesterday, a pedestrian was hit on the corner of Creek and Adelaide streets.

In May, a woman was hit by a bus and killed on the same street, which closed major routes in and out of the CBD for the morning commute.

The BCC is asking commuters to report danger zones and will begin filming at three problem intersections as part of a month-long safety overhaul.

The council said cameras would be set up on Ann and Edward streets, Adelaide and Edward streets, and Elizabeth and Albert streets.

It would not be drawn on whether it would fine pedestrians caught on camera disobeying the rules, but said it was working closely with Queensland police.

"The evidence that we get [from the study], we will be taking to the Queensland police," Councillor Amanda Cooper said.

She said the cameras would be installed to see how people use these intersections.

"We want to know whether people are taking the risk — we want to know what exactly is going on," Cr Cooper said.

"Do we need more places for people to cross safely? Are the existing intersections working as they should? Should we have more scramble crossings?

"Those are the sorts of things that we think can make a really big difference."

Commuters are also being asked to report back to BCC about where they believe the real problem areas are.

The council has committed to rolling out new safety measures in the danger zones that arise from this research.

Jaywalkers should be fined: RACQ

The RACQ recently called for distracted pedestrians to be fined and spokesman Paul Turner said the motoring body supported the council's study.

"We've seen an increase in incidents between pedestrians and vehicles in the CBD and other busy spots around Brisbane," Mr Turner said.

"There's been a change in behaviour whether that's mobile phone use or people in a hurry — we need more information."

But Opposition councillor Jared Cassidy said it feared the research was redundant.

Cr Cassidy said the money should be invested in giving pedestrians and cyclists priority throughout the CBD.

"We already have the facts that our CBD is full of pedestrians," Cr Cassidy said.

"We have relatively few cars that traverse the CBD on a daily basis and yet they're given absolute priority."

[Paul B]

Saw 2 officers giving out tickets to jaywalkers at corner of Albert and elizabeth st yesterday afternoon.

[ozbob]

https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/traffic-transport/roads-infrastructure-bikeways/move-safe-brisbane-consultation#_blank

Move Safe Brisbane consultation

Brisbane City Council is committed to delivering safe and accessible active transport options throughout Brisbane for all members of the community.

As part of this commitment, Council has launched a Pedestrian Safety Review to help improve safety for people walking and riding in Brisbane. The first step in this review is to gather your valuable feedback on this important issue via the Move Safe Brisbane community consultation.

The consultation feedback maps will allow you to have your say on locations where you would make pedestrian or cyclist safety improvements within the Brisbane City Council area.

Your feedback will play a critical role in helping to address future safety improvements at key locations in Brisbane.

Have your say by Tuesday 28 August 2018

To share your feedback on areas where safety could be improved for pedestrians and cyclists, visit YourCity YourSay and click on the 'Go to Map' button under pedestrian feedback or cyclist feedback.

Drag the pin onto a location on the map where you would make safety improvements. You have the option to write a comment, add a photo and tick the things you would change at the location.

To ensure accuracy of the data collected, you will need to create a screen name and provide an email address when you place a pin on the map. If you would like to remain anonymous, we suggest you use a screen name that will not identify you. Email addresses will be available to Council only and will be used to provide updates for this project.

You're invited to have your say on this consultation by 11.59pm, Tuesday 28 August 2018.

Next steps

The feedback provided throughout the consultation phase will be used to identify and prioritise pedestrian safety projects across Brisbane, alongside input from the Queensland Police Service's crash data. Feedback on cyclist safety will be considered in the prioritisation and development of projects in Council's Better Bikeways 4 Brisbane program.

Council's project team will review and evaluate all feedback provided during the consultation phase and will report on key outcomes by late 2018.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Pedestrians first, cars queue in new Brisbane roads push

PEDESTRIAN crossing signals would be green by default under a radical push that would make cars queue at busy Brisbane intersections.

Greens Councillor Jonathan Sri will push for the plan in next week's session of council as the city grapples with pedestrian-related accidents.

Cr Sri said reducing wait times to cross the road was key to making the city safer and more convenient for pedestrians. He has called on Brisbane City Council to trial permanently green crossing signals during "peak pedestrian periods" that would change only when a car arrived at the intersection.

"It's very common for pedestrians to jaywalk in Brisbane because some lights take far too long to change," Cr Sri said.

Plans to trial a similar idea in London were announced only last month.

Cr Sri has identified 15 locations to trial the plan, including the northwest side of Elizabeth and Albert streets in the CBD as well as Hardgrave Rd and Vulture St in West End.

"At busy times of the day, this encourages people to walk and catch public transport, and reduces traffic congestion by discouraging driving unless absolutely necessary," he said.

"Obviously we need to be guided by advice from transport planners, but we also need to abandon the outdated assumption that cars deserve priority in inner city areas.

"Why should dozens of pedestrians have to wait for just a few cars? It should be the other way around."

He also suggested there were hundreds of crossings in Brisbane that should be "tweaked" so the lights change as soon as a pedestrian presses the button to trigger the crossing signal.

The Courier-Mail revealed earlier this week council plans to spy on jaywalkers as part of a review of pedestrian safety in the city and across the suburbs.

Possible trial locations

    Pedestrian crossing outside 111 Eagle St, CBD
    Brunswick St pedestrian crossing outside Fortitude Valley train station entrance
    Southeast side of the George St-Alice St intersection, CBD
    Northwest side of Elizabeth and Albert, CBD
    Northwest side of Adelaide and Edward, CBD
    Northwest side of Ann and Edward, CBD
    Albert and Charlotte St, CBD
    Grey St and Glenelg St, South Brisbane
    Grey St and Tribune St, South Brisbane
    Grey St crossing near Vulture St, South Brisbane
    Hardgrave Rd and Vulture St, West End
    Slip lane crossing on the south-west corner of the Stanley St and Ipswich Rd intersection, Woolloongabba
    Slip lane crossing on north-west corner of Vulture St and Wellington Rd intersection, East Brisbane
    Slip lane crossing on Ann St and Kemp Place, Fortitude Valley
    Slip lane crossing near Sherwood Rd and High St, Toowong

[James]

The thing is, 'peak pedestrian periods' are often at the same time as peak car periods, so a 'constantly green walking light' would really just be a normal traffic light. If you really wanted to make a difference, you'd reduce the cycle times on the traffic lights from 90-120 seconds down to 45ish seconds - reducing overall waiting time.

Fundamentally though, we keep avoiding the elephant in the room - mobile phones. Drivers get fined for driving on the road while looking at their mobile phones, there should be a similar thing for pedestrians who enter a road environment while unaware of their surroundings (i.e. on their phone). A few years ago, pedestrian v car/bus serious crashes/fatalities in the CBD were low, now we seem to have one every month or so. What's changed? Mobile phones.

A number of locations listed by Cr Sri are actually safe to cross even when the man is red - the smart approach is to scrap the ridiculous nanny state law where you can be fined for jaywalking. As far as I'm concerned, the only thing this makes me do is look more closely for police officers before I jaywalk, rather than cars. Jaywalking can be safe if you are aware of your surroundings and analyse the whole intersection prior to crossing, unfortunately as with all police-enforced campaigns, we've seen a blanket ban approach taken, rather than a sensible approach where you consider the risk the individual takes on its own merits.

[verbatim9]

^^The switch cycle time is reduced at some intersections already which is controlled by the traffic control centre e.g. Hale Street and Coronation Drive.

In other developments I wonder when Brisbane will install ground lights for pedestrians as trialled in Melbourne and Sydney?

https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/sydneys-inground-street-signals-to-combat-wayward-pedestrians-on-mobile-phones-20170330-gv9ii5.html

[brissypete]

I wonder if a countdown timer for the change to green from red could be helpful. Walking along staring at a phone is just plain stupid, a quick look if needed but that's it.

Sent from my G8141 using Tapatalk

[verbatim9]

Couriermail --> Pedestrians first, cars queue in new Brisbane roads push

PEDESTRIAN crossing signals would be green by default under a radical push that would make cars queue at busy Brisbane intersections.

Greens Councillor Jonathan Sri will push for the plan in next week's session of council as the city grapples with pedestrian-related accidents.

Cr Sri said reducing wait times to cross the road was key to making the city safer and more convenient for pedestrians. He has called on Brisbane City Council to trial permanently green crossing signals during "peak pedestrian periods" that would change only when a car arrived at the intersection.

"It's very common for pedestrians to jaywalk in Brisbane because some lights take far too long to change," Cr Sri said.

Plans to trial a similar idea in London were announced only last month.

Cr Sri has identified 15 locations to trial the plan, including the northwest side of Elizabeth and Albert streets in the CBD as well as Hardgrave Rd and Vulture St in West End.

"At busy times of the day, this encourages people to walk and catch public transport, and reduces traffic congestion by discouraging driving unless absolutely necessary," he said.

"Obviously we need to be guided by advice from transport planners, but we also need to abandon the outdated assumption that cars deserve priority in inner city areas.

"Why should dozens of pedestrians have to wait for just a few cars? It should be the other way around."

He also suggested there were hundreds of crossings in Brisbane that should be "tweaked" so the lights change as soon as a pedestrian presses the button to trigger the crossing signal.

The Courier-Mail revealed earlier this week council plans to spy on jaywalkers as part of a review of pedestrian safety in the city and across the suburbs.

Possible trial locations

    Pedestrian crossing outside 111 Eagle St, CBD
    Brunswick St pedestrian crossing outside Fortitude Valley train station entrance
    Southeast side of the George St-Alice St intersection, CBD
    Northwest side of Elizabeth and Albert, CBD
    Northwest side of Adelaide and Edward, CBD
    Northwest side of Ann and Edward, CBD
    Albert and Charlotte St, CBD
    Grey St and Glenelg St, South Brisbane
    Grey St and Tribune St, South Brisbane
    Grey St crossing near Vulture St, South Brisbane
    Hardgrave Rd and Vulture St, West End
    Slip lane crossing on the south-west corner of the Stanley St and Ipswich Rd intersection, Woolloongabba
    Slip lane crossing on north-west corner of Vulture St and Wellington Rd intersection, East Brisbane
    Slip lane crossing on Ann St and Kemp Place, Fortitude Valley
    Slip lane crossing near Sherwood Rd and High St, Toowong

Be good if the State and Council installed induction loops for cyclists on approach from segregated pathways and footpaths. (Priority approach) Pedestrians and Cyclists (me being one of them) seem to wait at lights for long periods even when the intersection is empty.  I must admit the new countdown pedestrian lights have made it easier for pedestrians and cyclists to cross.  It should be rolled out statewide to 90-100% of intersections. Priority approach should also be rolled out for buses (from bus lanes and busways as well as some regular traffic lanes) and cyclists from segregated bike paths and footpaths.

[verbatim9]

Calls for better cycle ways, footpaths and street improvements along Boundary Street.

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/calls-for-refurbishment-of-inner-brisbane-street-20180826-p4zzul.html

I definitely agree here! A segregated two way cycle way should go on one side of the street. Better landscaping and canopy trees would also be a plus. The footpaths could be a tinge wider. Some parking would need to be sacrificed but more parking is coming online with West Village. Best configuration for the street is Footpath - Two way cycle way - vehicle lane - double lines - vehicle lane - parking - footpath. The end result is one way general vehicle traffic in each direction @ 30-40kph with floating bus stops.

^^Surely with all the redevelopment going on around here council should be getting the funds for street improvements in the area?

Note the design below in the pic. But in this case a two way cycle way would be more appropriate so not too much parking is sacraficed. Two way cycle ways are now becoming common in Qld.

[verbatim9]

Brisbane city council "Move safe" Feedback closing soon Tuesday Aug 28. If you haven't yet? Check it out and suggest your improvements. (Registration is needed).

https://yoursay.brisbane.qld.gov.au/movesafe

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Queensland pedestrian deaths prompt ad campaign

With Queensland experiencing one of the worst years on record for pedestrian deaths, the state government has launched a campaign to remind people to pay attention around crossings.

So far this year 22 pedestrians have died after being hit by cars across Queensland.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey on Monday launched the "Be Aware - Cross with Care" campaign, which will see people wearing billboards walking through Brisbane's CBD in peak periods to remind people to take care when crossing.

Mr Bailey said one of the major factors identified in those incidents was pedestrian inattention due to being distracted by smartphones.

"The pedestrian fatality rate seems to be increasing, and the feedback we get from our agencies is that distraction is certainly a part of that," he said.

Of the 22 people who've died in vehicle strikes so far this year, two were in Brisbane's CBD.

Mr Bailey said the ad campaign was designed so any council in the state could use it.

"This is the first time we've had a campaign like this, so we'll be monitoring how effective it is," he said.

Acting Superintendent Ivan Sikorsky said pedestrian strikes tended to have a higher fatality rate compared to car crashes.

"The sad reality is a human body versus a car or a bus or any other metal object is going to lose," he said.

"Just for that one split second a noise comes up, a person thinks maybe the traffic light has changed, they step out and it's too late."

Superintendent Sikorsky didn't want to comment on calls to lower the speed limit in Brisbane's CBD to 30km/h, but said being hit at 30km/h compared to 40km/h wouldn't make much difference in terms of injuries.

The RACQ welcomed the government's campaign, saying "we're taught road safety from a young age, and we need to remember those lessons".

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1034114926074163200

[verbatim9]

New pedestrian crossings and 40kph speed limits for existing 60kph streets in the CBD

https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/brisbane-city-council-to-drop-ann-st-speed-limit-as-part-of-cbd-pedestrian-safety-measures/news-story/790df49b1f3052d0cf2e2071a6187631

Brisbane City Council to drop Ann St speed limit as part of CBD pedestrian safety measures

Jack McKay, The Courier-Mail

September 4, 2018 12:00am


THE speed limit of a major Brisbane CBD thoroughfare will be slashed to 40km/h as a new report reveals pedestrian distraction and impatience is the leading cause of accidents in parts of the city.

The Courier-Mail can also reveal Brisbane City Council will introduce new scramble crossings in two CBD locations as it tries to address a spate of pedestrian accidents.

Call to close streets

Walk and talk lethal

The council's interim report into pedestrian safety is expected to be handed down this week, with Lord Mayor Graham Quirk to announce several urgent upgrades today.

Among the biggest changes will be a reduction in speed limit on Ann St from 60km/h to 40km/h.

Cr Quirk said the new speed limit would be in effect between the Fortitude Valley side of Creek St to the Riverside Expressway, leaving Turbot St as the only road in the CBD where the speed limit is above 40km/h.

"This 780m section of Ann St has been the location of 10 serious pedestrian crashes in just five years, with speed identified as a contributing factor," he said.

"This was the only location in the CBD where speed was a defining factor in incidents, with the majority of pedestrian crashes at other city centre sites occurring at very low speeds."

Cr Quirk said the safety review had also found that pedestrian impatience and distraction was the leading cause of pedestrian related accidents at a number of locations in the CBD, including Adelaide and Albert Streets.

The council will introduce new scramble crossings at the intersections of Albert and Charlotte streets as well as Albert and Mary streets.

A mid-block crossing with traffic lights will also be installed on Adelaide St between Albert and Edward Streets in an effort to discourage pedestrians from walking into the traffic.

"An alarming 16 pedestrian crashes have occurred on Adelaide St in just five years, with many more reported near-misses by buses, due to pedestrians walking into traffic between Albert St and Edward St to cross the road," Cr Quirk said.

Work to introduce the changes will begin this week, with the council poised to announce further changes over the coming days.

General images of pedestrians crossing the road at the intersection of Adelaide and Edward Streets in the Brisbane City centre - Stuart Somerville and Ruth De Luchi pictured at the intersection, Brisbane Monday 3rd September 2018

[verbatim9]

New pedestrian crossings and 40kph speed limits for existing 60kph streets in the CBD

https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/brisbane-city-council-to-drop-ann-st-speed-limit-as-part-of-cbd-pedestrian-safety-measures/news-story/790df49b1f3052d0cf2e2071a6187631

Brisbane City Council to drop Ann St speed limit as part of CBD pedestrian safety measures

Jack McKay, The Courier-Mail

September 4, 2018 12:00am


THE speed limit of a major Brisbane CBD thoroughfare will be slashed to 40km/h as a new report reveals pedestrian distraction and impatience is the leading cause of accidents in parts of the city.

The Courier-Mail can also reveal Brisbane City Council will introduce new scramble crossings in two CBD locations as it tries to address a spate of pedestrian accidents.

Call to close streets

Walk and talk lethal

The council's interim report into pedestrian safety is expected to be handed down this week, with Lord Mayor Graham Quirk to announce several urgent upgrades today.

Among the biggest changes will be a reduction in speed limit on Ann St from 60km/h to 40km/h.

Cr Quirk said the new speed limit would be in effect between the Fortitude Valley side of Creek St to the Riverside Expressway, leaving Turbot St as the only road in the CBD where the speed limit is above 40km/h.

"This 780m section of Ann St has been the location of 10 serious pedestrian crashes in just five years, with speed identified as a contributing factor," he said.

"This was the only location in the CBD where speed was a defining factor in incidents, with the majority of pedestrian crashes at other city centre sites occurring at very low speeds."

Cr Quirk said the safety review had also found that pedestrian impatience and distraction was the leading cause of pedestrian related accidents at a number of locations in the CBD, including Adelaide and Albert Streets.

The council will introduce new scramble crossings at the intersections of Albert and Charlotte streets as well as Albert and Mary streets.

A mid-block crossing with traffic lights will also be installed on Adelaide St between Albert and Edward Streets in an effort to discourage pedestrians from walking into the traffic.

"An alarming 16 pedestrian crashes have occurred on Adelaide St in just five years, with many more reported near-misses by buses, due to pedestrians walking into traffic between Albert St and Edward St to cross the road," Cr Quirk said.

Work to introduce the changes will begin this week, with the council poised to announce further changes over the coming days.

General images of pedestrians crossing the road at the intersection of Adelaide and Edward Streets in the Brisbane City centre - Stuart Somerville and Ruth De Luchi pictured at the intersection, Brisbane Monday 3rd September 2018

I also hope this acts as a deterrent for unnecessary through traffic passing through the CBD with the objective of the CBD not being their end destination. Arterial roads and tunnels should be utilised more that currently bypass the inner core of the CBD. Yes there are tolls, but the tolling company should offer incentives. e.g. After so many trips a vehicle would receive a discount for the the remaining part of a 7 day period.

[verbatim9]

^^Council opposition states "not slow enough" and wants 30Kph to be the standard speed limit in the CBD.

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/ann-street-cut-to-40km-h-but-opposition-says-that-s-not-slow-enough-20180904-p501ml.html

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/victoriawalks/status/1044053048199270400

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Distracted pedestrians should be fined $200 say advocacy group

Pedestrians should be slapped with a $200 fine for not paying attention when crossing the road, a peak advocacy group says.
The penalty should be introduced along with lower speed limits and changes to traffic light countdown timers, the Pedestrian Council of Australia says.

The call comes as the number of pedestrians killed in crashes in Queensland this year hit 29 yesterday when a 60-year-old woman was hit by a car while she was on a footpath at Beenleigh.

Latest official figures reveal the pedestrian death toll is 16.7 per cent higher than the average at the same time over the previous five years.

"We know pedestrians are behaving outrageously with mobile phones," council chairman Harold Scruby told The Courier-Mail of the proposed fine.

"And we've been calling for a new penalty – cross road while distracted.

"This means you can even be crossing with the green (light) and still get booked," he said.
Pedestrians wearing headphones were also unsafe as the number of low-noise electric bikes and cars increased on the roads, Mr Scruby said.
Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) figures reveal that 362 pedestrians have died on Queensland roads since 2007, compared to 98 cyclists.

At least one pedestrian death this year is understood to have involved a pedestrian using an electronic device.

Mr Scruby also called for:

- 30km/h zones in the CBD, rather than 40km/h;

- countdown timers for pedestrians while waiting at lights;
- increased crossing times and a wait for green pedestrian light;
- scramble crossings at intersections that allow pedestrians to walk diagonally;

TMR figures show 137 deaths on Queensland roads between 2007-2017 involved alcohol impaired pedestrians.
But Mr Scruby said those statistics should not be considered.

"We know that is legally very dangerous to drive a car over .05," he said.

"That is a definition that pertains to driving, it's got no relevance to walking and we could walk home at .06 and be very safe."

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the State Government was not looking at introducing new fines for pedestrians who cross the road while distracted.

"The Queensland Police Service already conducts targeted operations to fine people for jaywalking," Mr Bailey said.

Under Queensland law, a pedestrian can be find $52 fine for jaywalking if they cross the road within 20m from a set of traffic lights or a designated crossing, or against a red light.

He said resources would be better put towards educating people to avoid distractions on the road, whether they're drivers, passengers, pedestrians, bike or motorcycle riders.

"We've spent $89 million in the past five years on projects to improve pedestrian safety in Queensland," Mr Bailey said.

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Brisbanetimes --> Pedestrian review recommends lower speed limits and slip lane removals

A final report into Brisbane's pedestrian safety has offered a host of recommendations to make the city's streets safer and reduce fatalities, including removing slip lanes and reducing speed limits.

In June, following multiple pedestrian deaths on the streets of the city, lord mayor Graham Quirk announced the citywide Move Safe Brisbane review to establish why so many pedestrians were being killed or injured.

Between January and November, seven pedestrians died on Brisbane streets - six while crossing roads, and one hit by a car involved in a separate car crash.

A preliminary report for Cr Quirk's pedestrian safety review offered multiple projects and changes, most of which have been implemented, including reducing the speed limit on Ann Street to 40km/h.

"It quickly became clear from initial review of the data, and feedback from the community, that pedestrian safety issues are not confined to the CBD," Cr Quirk said.

"Brisbane is known as a walkable and accessible city and we want everyone – whether they live in Brisbane or are visiting – to be safe on our streets."

The final report will be debated at the council's Tuesday meeting, offering nine outcomes to improve pedestrian safety around the city.

Data from Transport and Main Roads and Queensland Police showed pedestrian crashes cost $442 million over five years up to 2017 across Brisbane.

The average cost of a pedestrian crash in Brisbane is $391,000 - nearly double the cost of other crashes at $219,000.

The report's nine recommended outcomes include reducing speed limits, particularly in village precincts, along with reviewing slip lanes, zebra crossings and road safety improvements.

Alongside the reduction of Ann Street's speed limit in November, four other roads are proposed to be reduced to 40km/h in the new year - Oxley Road in Corinda, Mains Road and McCullough Street in Sunnybank, and Old Cleveland Road in Stones Corner.

The report also recommends the council investigate speed-limit reductions at a number of village precincts, including Station Road in Indooroopilly between Moggill Road and Coonan Street, Riding Road in Hawthorne between Main Avenue and Dutton Street, and Lutwyche Road between Felix and High streets.

Seven CBD intersections are also recommended to install pedestrian protection by adding additional turning arrows phased to allow pedestrians a few seconds more to cross the street before the arrow turns green.

Traffic lights are also recommended to be investigated throughout the central city area, altering phasing to favour pedestrians, with the report recommending the council develop a list of prioritised projects by June 2019.

Slip lanes were also highlighted in public feedback for the pedestrian safety review as a key danger for pedestrians, with many respondents saying drivers approached the lanes too fast.

The report found pedestrians with prams or elderly pedestrians were particularly vulnerable at slip lanes.

Proposals to increase pedestrian safety at slip lanes includes redesigning the lanes, adding zebra crossings or lights.

The slip lane at Ann Street and Creek Street in the CBD highlighted in the report as a key intersection requiring upgrades.

The report found Ipswich Road, Logan Road, Main Road and Adelaide Street were some of the roads with the highest pedestrian casualty cost between 2013 and 2017.

Within the CBD, the report found Adelaide Street, Ann Street, Albert and George Streets had the highest incidents of fatal or serious pedestrian crashes.

The report will be debated at Tuesday's council meeting and a final copy published on the council's website.

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New shared path finished between New farm Ferry Terminal and the Power House

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An expanded Victoria Park creates a mega inner city sanctuary for Brisbane

Couriermail------------->https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/brisbanes-answer-to-central-park/news-story/f236e37a0a75e328b8d1d7d2e6ce873b

Brisbane's answer to Central Park
A prime 45ha tract of inner Brisbane land will be transformed into the city's biggest public park in over half a century.

Jack McKay, council reporter, The Sunday Mail (Qld)

BRISBANE'S Victoria Park golf course will be closed down to make way for the city's biggest public park in over half a century.

The Sunday Mail can reveal Brisbane City Council will transform the inner-city golf course into a 45ha green sanctuary, complete with water features, woodlands and gardens.

The new park, dubbed the Victoria Park Vision, will be the second biggest in Brisbane when completed, behind the Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens, and will be more than double the size of the City Botanic Gardens.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said council would consider a range of *opportunities for the new mega-park, including pop-up cinemas, markets and "revolutionary" play areas for all ages.

"Council will involve the community in every step of this planning process and will hold forums and public consultation as well as engage experts to create the best design for this green space," he said.

Brisbane's Victoria Park golf course will be transformed.
"The Victoria Park Vision will double the size of the existing park and deliver a green link that boosts the connectivity of the city fringe, including Kelvin Grove, Herston, Bowen Hills and the Brisbane showgrounds."

Cr Schrinner also pointed to other examples of inner-city parklands, such as Central Park in New York City and Hyde Park in London, which are home to free attractions and hundreds of trees.

The council will allocate $1 million to the park in their upcoming budget and will begin work on the project in 2021, when the existing golf course will be permanently closed. The golf course site is entirely owned by the council and patronage numbers have decreased by about 16 per cent over the past eight years.


Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has shared the Victoria Park Vision. Picture: Jamie Hanson
Cr Schrinner said council would work with the current tenants to ensure the popular driving range, putt-putt course, wedding venue and function centre are part of the new parkland.

"People love and value the existing putt putt course and driving range, with more than 180,000 people using these facilities in the past financial year," he said.

The council said work was already under way to improve access to the park, where car parking is available.

"Both lines of the high-frequency Brisbane Metro will transport passengers directly to the parkland via the Herston and Kelvin Grove stations in the future," Cr Schrinner told The Sunday Mail.

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This is a good outcome for Springhill and Kelvin Grove residents providing a direct link to Kelvin Grove Station and the city respectively. At the moment it's a long cycle or walk around to Kelvin Grove Village from Spring Hill.