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Road safety policies and reports

Review of speed limits and noise levels along Gungahlin Drive Extension

A review was undertaken of traffic conditions and noise associated with the Gungahlin Drive Extension (GDE). This was in the context of reviewing the speed limits that should apply to the GDE.

Noise levels

Noise measurements were undertaken in 2011-12 at several locations in Aranda and along the GDE corridor. These results were compared to those from monitoring undertaken at the same locations prior to construction and again after the opening of stage one of the GDE.

These found very little change in noise at each location, with many locations having slightly reduced noise due to the noise mitigation measures, such as mounds and barriers, which were included in the project.

All noise levels were found to be below the ACT traffic noise guidelines. Modelling was also undertaken which showed that, for any property where GDE was the dominant source of traffic noise, it would increase by less than 2 dB if the speed limit was increased to 90 km/h and the traffic volume increased. This again would be within noise guidelines.

GDE noise report (PDF 675KB)

Speed limits

An independent report, which looked at engineering and road safety aspects associated with the current GDE road design, recommended that the speed limit be increased from the previous 80 km/h to 90 km/h.

As a result of these assessments, Roads ACT reviewed an earlier decision to maintain the speed limit at 80km/h and decided to increase the GDE speed limit to 90 km/h for the section between the Barton Highway interchange through to the Glenloch interchange.

To ensure consistency the 90km/h speed limit also includes the connection ramps from Tuggeranong Parkway to William Hovell Drive, the City bound connection ramps and the William Hovell City bound ramp. The 90km/h speed limit came into effect in March 2012.

GDE speed limit report (PDF 420.2 KB)

Roadside memorial policy

Roadside memorials are an opportunity to acknowledge the memory of loved ones who have lost their lives on ACT roads. Memorials in urban open spaces are an opportunity to acknowledge the contribution of individuals and significant events in the history and development of Canberra.

Details of the requirements for placing memorials in urban open spaces and roadside are outlined in the Roadside and Urban Open Space Memorial Policy.

Applications are required for the placement of memorials in urban open spaces.

While roadside memorials do not require an application they must meet requirements, specified within the policy and are not permitted along the light rail corridor due to safety reasons.

For more information please see the Roadside and Urban Open Space Memorial Policy (PDF 771.4 KB) or contact 13 22 81.

Floodway signage

Roads ACT provide floodway advisory signage to discourage people from congregating near stormwater drains and floodways.

A flood is an inundation or overland flow of water on land not normally submerged. The depth and speed of floodwater flows varies with location and time and can be unpredictable. Canberra is affected by riverine and flash floods. Predominantly in the urban area flash flooding occurs after local heavy rainfall, such as a thunderstorm that generates more runoff into an area than can be drained away in a short period of time. The main risk to people is from fast flowing water that can sweep pedestrians and vehicles away if they enter floodwaters.

The ACT Government advises the community of the dangers associated with stormwater within concrete lined and identified grassed floodway’s. Floodwaters may rise quickly in these locations and as such Roads ACT on behalf of the ACT Government provide floodway advisory signage in locations where the public congregate, such as pedestrian bridges, playing fields, community paths and cycle paths running parallel to or crossing over the floodway.

When floodwaters cover community paths that cross floodway’s for your personal safety Pedestrians and cyclists should take an alternative route around and over the floodway at a road or pedestrian bridge.

The Municipal Infrastructure Standard 08 “Stormwater, Section 4.7.4 Advisory Signs and ACTSD-0856” provides a broad outline on the usage of these signs including the size and type of material to be used.

Floodway warning signs are placed along formal concrete or identified grassed channels and waterways generally at points of congregation and at intervals of approximately 500 metres, or shorter if there is a line of sight issue between posts.

The floodway advisory symbol is widely used throughout Australia and as such is recognisable without the need to understand the language. The sign shape and the language component changes between each Australian region, thus only the symbol is standard.

Sign reading

These signs are placed to warn the ACT community that it is important to remember that storm water and floodwater can be very dangerous and rise quickly. The signage provides awareness to members of the public to discourage them from playing in stormwater drains and floodways.

Remember "If it's flooded, forget it"

The new ACT floodway sign. It reads "Floodway take care! Rain may cause floodwater to rise. Do not enter or cross floodwater. If it's Flooded Forget it."

Steps to reduce a clash between pedestrians/cyclists and motor vehicles turning in the same traffic light phase

Roads ACT support the view that motorists and pedestrians/cyclists share the road space. This information aims to provide some guidance on the steps that can be taken to reduce the likelihood of a clash between pedestrians/cyclists and motor vehicles at signals where these road users turn in the same phase. Pedestrians and cyclists are referred to as vulnerable road users (VRU).

Traffic signals incorporating a left or right turn through a pedestrian crossing phase currently meet the Australian Road Rules:

  • Rule 62 (1)(a) A driver turning at an intersection with traffic lights must give way to any pedestrian at or near the intersection who is crossing the road the driver is entering.

VRUs can start crossing at anytime whilst the green crossing symbol is displayed. When the symbol turns to flashing red, VRUs can complete the crossing however they cannot start to cross. Upon VRUs clearing the crossing a motorist can then turn left or right with care. At no time whilst VRUs are on the crossing can a motorist move to travel through the crossing. A motorist is responsible to ensure the safety of the VRUs in this movement.

In certain situations a conflict between a motorist and a VRU may occur in this turning phase. When advised of these occurrences, Roads ACT will inspect the intersection, reviewing the signals to address any issues that may be apparent and recommend and carry out modifications to the intersection. These modifications may include:

  • additional warning signage for motorist and VRUs,
  • changes to signal phasing, or
  • no change may be warranted.

When carrying out an inspection each signalised intersection will be reviewed in isolation to other signalised intersections to ensure that a “one size fits all” approach is not applied and the correct outcome for each intersection is achieved.

illustration showing who gets right of way at traffic signals

The vehicle must give way to the pedestrian.

50 km/h speed limit signs

In May 2003, the ACT Government introduced a 50 km/h default speed limit. This speed limit became the standard and was applied to all roads within the urban areas of the ACT. Areas where alternative speed limits apply are signposted as such (40km/h, 60km/h, 80km/h, etc). Under this arrangement, the default speed limit of 50km/h would apply without the need for additional signage.

This policy covers the use of regulatory 50 km/h signs in the urban areas of ACT.

Policy

Roads ACT, as the asset manager will not support the individual installation of 50 km/h speed limit signage within the urban areas on roads that come under the existing 50 km/h default urban speed limit.

The only exceptions shall be when:

  1. A speed zone greater than 50 km/h terminates on a section of the same continuing road (e.g. change in road classification), in which case a 50 km/h speed limit sign shall be installed for motorists leaving the higher speed limit section.
  2. A speed zone less than 50 km/h terminates on a section of the same continuing road (e.g. end of a 40 km/h school/group/local centre zone), in which case a 50 km/h speed limit sign shall be installed for motorists leaving the lower speed limit section.
  3. If a childcare centre exists in a speed zone greater than 50 km/h, in which case a 50 km/h speed limit sign shall be installed for motorists entering the reduced speed limit section.
  4. As part of a Local Area Traffic Management (LATM) scheme.
  5. As part of a risk assessment, based on the Safe System Infrastructure Framework

Roads ACT will not support new 50 km/h Area signs (R4-10-50) and 50 km/h End Area signs (R4-11-50) for installation on urban roads within the ACT. Roads ACT will remove these signs in areas where they currently exist when the signs are no longer serviceable, without replacement.

Guideline for repairing and maintaining paths in the ACT

Footpaths and shared paths (referred to as community paths) are provided to assist the community with walking, cycling and other active travel activities. The ACT Government manages and maintains approximately 3,190 kilometres of community paths across Canberra. These are a mixture of traditional concrete paths and asphalt off-road shared paths.

Community paths can be used by:

  • pedestrians (including users of motorised wheelchairs and motorised mobility devices)
  • cyclists
  • personal mobility device users (such as e-scooters).

Personal mobility device users are limited to 15km/h on a footpath and 25km/h on shared paths.

Community path repairs

Community paths are repaired and maintained by Roads ACT. Damage to community paths mainly arises from ageing infrastructure, vehicle overrun or through tree roots lifting the paths.

Requests to repair community paths are received from the public through Access Canberra on 13 22 81 or Fix My Street. If you are making a request, please include the exact location of the defect and a photo where possible.

Roads ACT endeavour to inspect the path within 10 working days of receiving your request. Once the path has been assessed it is entered into Roads ACT’s asset management database system for repair or replacement.

Inspections

Roads ACT staff regularly inspect the condition of road assets, including community paths and pedestrian areas. Inspections focus on areas with high pedestrian usage. Priority for inspections is given to community paths within city and town centres followed by group centres, community facilities (such as hospitals, schools and retirement facilities), local centres and shared paths. Other suburban areas are only inspected upon receiving a request from the public.

Urgent and emergency repairs

Any urgent requests that may pose an extreme safety risk to the public are repaired within 3 business days of the initial inspection. High risk paths are repaired within 10 business days after the initial inspection.

Path replacements are packaged into contract works and contracts are awarded progressively over the financial year. It can take between 12 to 18 months for replacement requests to be addressed depending on the priority, the location and whether the existing paths are safe and serviceable.

Emergency repairs are generally carried out using cold mix (a form of asphalt) to remove or reduce the defect to an acceptable level. For example, where there is a trip hazard, cold mix is placed in front of the trip to make a small ramp. Alternatively, the method of grinding can be used to remove small trip hazards. These methods provide interim repair and allow Roads ACT to replace the path (if needed) in a future path replacement contract package.

Procedure and checklist for management of contaminated assets

Roads ACT Noise Management Guideline

Transit Lane Study

We acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the ACT and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.

To see how we are building stronger relationships with the Traditional Custodians of the ACT view the Reconciliation Action Plan.