22 Mar 2012: SEQ: Airport Link Traffic Projections - call for Transport Rethink

[ozbob]

Media release 22 March 2012

SEQ: Airport Link Traffic Projections - call for Transport Rethink

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers says the revelations that Brisconnection's own projections show Airport Link will increase traffic volumes and congestion is the 'last straw'.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"It is recognised around the world that freeways, tunnels and bypasses have never reduced congestion but in fact they actually make it worse (1). Every major road construction project claims to be the solution to our traffic problems yet our roads are getting more and more congested (2)."

"It is time to acknowledge that we have spent the last 50 years claiming to be solving congestion and air pollution but actually making them worse. Channel 10's News report on Tuesday confirmed that congestion is continuing to get worse in Brisbane.  Reducing congestion by building more roads is an urban myth! Never again can the media, political parties or lobbyists claim that the latest road project will reduce traffic and congestion!"

"Close to 1600 people are killed each year on our roads, 1000's more injured and maimed and all too often written  off as part of modern life. In 2012 road toll is already looking likely to be even worse than 2011.  The cost of road trauma is costing our nation nation something in order of $40 Billion a year. (3,4) That is $40 Billion that cannot be spent on schools, hospitals, police and other essential services.  Building more roads means more people drive and unfortunately this means more road trauma."

"Finally our economy has been significantly exposed to the reality of rising fuel prices with every cent increase in the price of fuel directly impacting the cost of living."

"RAIL Back On Track calls on all political parties to accept the 'road-based transport experiment' of the last 50 years has failed and to sign up to the following 10 simple transport principles:

1. Planning principles/controls/investments to plan for more than 50% of all trips being by public/active transport and freight rail.

2. City and town design principles that prioritise walking, cycling and public transport over driving.

3. Halting any further investment in urban freeways, bypasses and tunnels and redirecting funds to address major rail and public/active transport bottlenecks and increasing service frequencies.

4. Design guidelines to convert existing road capacity into public transport right of way such as bus lanes and cycling and pedestrian space.

5. Core Frequent Network and Maps in all our major cities and towns.

6. Off-site car parking in commercial centres reduced close to zero.

7. Public transport fares to encourage people to think Public Transport as their first/fastest option not last.

8. Developing safe and active urban centres around our major transit stops.

9. Increased Long- distance passenger rail services between major cities and towns.

10. Providing frequent  off-peak services major centres."

References:

1. Goodbye-ways: The downfall of urban freeways - http://grist.org/cities/goodbye-ways-the-downfall-of-urban-freeways

2. Southeast Queensland motorists stuck at 40km/h in peak hour on clogged major roads - http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4767

3.Road trauma is breaking the nation -  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?action=articles;sa=view;article=3

4. http://www.ara.net.au/UserFiles/file/Publications/TheCostofRoadCrashesReport.pdf

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[Stillwater]

Oh dear.  All that money only to shift the traffic jam a little bit further down the road.   :conf  http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/exit-lights-leave-tunnel-travellers-in-slow-motion/story-e6freon6-1226437136531

[Jonno]

Clem 7 II same script same outcome

[techblitz]

once the `no toll` period expires on the airport link and once the government sees the commuters desert it in droves maybe it will be a case of 2nd time lucky wakeup call that if people cant afford or simply refuse to pay tolls, then what is the purpose of building them?
With rising public transort costs and rising fuel/rego/insurance costs this state is shooting blindly with thier transport planning and will continue to do so for years to come.

PS:I guess it wasnt all bad news with the clem 7,at least we got another bus route out of it.

[WTN]

once the `no toll` period expires on the airport link and once the government sees the commuters desert it in droves maybe it will be a case of 2nd time lucky wakeup call that if people cant afford or simply refuse to pay tolls, then what is the purpose of building them?

No doubt they'll say, "but this tunnel is different" in an attempt to avert catastrophe.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

29th July 2012

Airport Link Traffic Projections - call for Transport Rethink

Greetings,

Interesting opinion piece in the Couriermail on Friday.

Australia's largest road project, the now (sic) Airport Link is unlikely to pay its way, http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opinion/australias-largest-road-project-the-now-airport-link-is-unlikely-to-pay-its-way/story-e6frerc6-1226436024272

You don't have to be a transport expert to work out the vehicle projections for Airport Link are in the realm of fantasy land.

Oh dear ....

Enjoy it while you can.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

================================



Media release 22 March 2012 re-released 29 July 2012

SEQ: Airport Link Traffic Projections - call for Transport Rethink

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers says the revelations that Brisconnection's own projections show Airport Link will increase traffic volumes and congestion is the 'last straw'.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"It is recognised around the world that freeways, tunnels and bypasses have never reduced congestion but in fact they actually make it worse (1). Every major road construction project claims to be the solution to our traffic problems yet our roads are getting more and more congested (2)."

"It is time to acknowledge that we have spent the last 50 years claiming to be solving congestion and air pollution but actually making them worse. Channel 10's News report on Tuesday confirmed that congestion is continuing to get worse in Brisbane.  Reducing congestion by building more roads is an urban myth! Never again can the media, political parties or lobbyists claim that the latest road project will reduce traffic and congestion!"

"Close to 1600 people are killed each year on our roads, 1000's more injured and maimed and all too often written  off as part of modern life. In 2012 road toll is already looking likely to be even worse than 2011.  The cost of road trauma is costing our nation nation something in order of $40 Billion a year. (3,4) That is $40 Billion that cannot be spent on schools, hospitals, police and other essential services.  Building more roads means more people drive and unfortunately this means more road trauma."

"Finally our economy has been significantly exposed to the reality of rising fuel prices with every cent increase in the price of fuel directly impacting the cost of living."

"RAIL Back On Track calls on all political parties to accept the 'road-based transport experiment' of the last 50 years has failed and to sign up to the following 10 simple transport principles:

1. Planning principles/controls/investments to plan for more than 50% of all trips being by public/active transport and freight rail.

2. City and town design principles that prioritise walking, cycling and public transport over driving.

3. Halting any further investment in urban freeways, bypasses and tunnels and redirecting funds to address major rail and public/active transport bottlenecks and increasing service frequencies.

4. Design guidelines to convert existing road capacity into public transport right of way such as bus lanes and cycling and pedestrian space.

5. Core Frequent Network and Maps in all our major cities and towns.

6. Off-site car parking in commercial centres reduced close to zero.

7. Public transport fares to encourage people to think Public Transport as their first/fastest option not last.

8. Developing safe and active urban centres around our major transit stops.

9. Increased Long- distance passenger rail services between major cities and towns.

10. Providing frequent  off-peak services major centres."

References:

1. Goodbye-ways: The downfall of urban freeways - http://grist.org/cities/goodbye-ways-the-downfall-of-urban-freeways

2. Southeast Queensland motorists stuck at 40km/h in peak hour on clogged major roads - http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4767

3.Road trauma is breaking the nation -  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?action=articles;sa=view;article=3

4. http://www.ara.net.au/UserFiles/file/Publications/TheCostofRoadCrashesReport.pdf

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[WTN]

If every house was built next to a freeway and each house's driveway had their own on and off ramps, you'd still have congestion! Not to mention the space taken up by ugly concrete spaghetti mess built outside each house, if it were possible.

Oh wait, that might be seen as progress, aka FTTH, or Freeway To The Home.