Development of a National Transport Model Supporting Strategy Development in Malta Transport Master Plan 2025 Supporting Document 2 Consultation Feedback September 2016 Operational Programme I – Cohesion Policy 2007-2013 Investing in Competitiveness for a Better Quality of Life Project part-financed by the European Union European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Co-financing rate: 85% EU Funds; 15% National Funds Investing in your future Client: Transport Malta Transport Planning Unit Integrated Transport Strategy Directorate Contact: Stephen Camilleri Senior Manager (EU Affairs) Transport Malta Sa Maison Road Floriana FRN 1612 Tel: +356 2560 8114 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.transport.gov.mt Development of a National Transport Model Supporting Strategy Development in Malta: Transport Master Plan – Supporting Document 2 – Consultation Feedback Contractor: Ineco-Systematica Consortium Contact: José María Llorente Avda. Partenón 4-6 Madrid 28042 Spain Tel: +34 91 452 12 00 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.ineco.com 2 Development of a National Transport Model Supporting Strategy Development in Malta Revision Details Version Date Remarks 0.9 28/09/2016 Draft Transport Master Plan – Supporting Document 2 – Consultation Feedback, for review 1.0 30/09/2016 Transport Master Plan – Supporting Document 2 – Consultation Feedback Please cite this publication as: Transport Malta (2016), Transport Master Plan – Supporting Document 2 –Consultation Feedback Transport Master Plan – Supporting Document 2 –Consultation Feedback September 2016 3 Contents 1 FEEDBACK ON THE TRANSPORT MASTER PLAN ................................................................................. 5 4 Development of a National Transport Model Supporting Strategy Development in Malta 1 Feedback on the Transport Master Plan No. Document Consultee Date Summary of Comments Received Response Reference 1 General Department 19/07/2016 Given the due attention that is addressed to issues of accessibility and Comment noted. Comment of Social affordability in order to promote a more inclusive transportation Security, system, the National Transport Strategy 2050 and the Transport Master Ministry for Plan 2025 are indeed seen to converge with the strategic objectives of the Family the National Strategic Policy for Poverty Reduction and for Social and Social Inclusion 2014-202. A proposal is made to include reference to this Solidarity National Policy in Section 1.3 of the Strategy. (MFSS) 2 General Kamra Tal- 22/07/2016 The two documents appear to be well researched and structured and Comment noted Comment Periti suggest that a comprehensive review of the transport system has been (Chamber of undertaken with adequate recourse to the use of data, forecasting and Architects & expertise. This is very refreshing when compared to the Strategic Plan Civil for the Environment and Development, which is severely lacking in this Engineers) regard. The establishment of a long-term vision and an interim set of (Chamber of objectives for 2025 suggests an understanding of the need for long- Architects & term considerations and short and medium term action that spans Civil beyond the term of electoral cycles. Engineers) 3 General Kamra Tal- 22/07/2016 Resource capacity remains a key concern. Without adequate resource A separate report on capacity to Comment Periti deployment, there is a risk that this exercise will not ‘’actually produce implement the Transport Master Plan is (Chamber of significant effects other than ensuring formal compliance in order to also being prepared in parallel. Architects & attract funds or meet regulatory requirements.’’ Civil Engineers) (Chamber of Transport Master Plan – Supporting Document 2 –Consultation Feedback September 2016 5 Document No. Consultee Date Summary of Comments Received Response Reference Architects & Civil Engineers) 4 General Kamra Tal- 22/07/2016 Without a strategic prioritisation of key objectives, there are clear risks Comment noted. Most measures Comment Periti that certain measures will get prioritised at the cost of others that concerning cycling and walking consider (Chamber of provide less obvious (but perhaps more significant long-term) economic short term time lines. Measure 2.2.5.1 Architects & benefit, are less marketable or less popular, are harder to implement has been amended to be included in the Civil and/or require more integrated policy deployment, or that prioritise short-term timeline, as well as new Engineers) certain user groups at the cost of other, usually weaker ones. Strategic measures 2.2.5.3 and 2.2.5.4. planning needs to recognise that finite resources require a prioritisation of key interventions. In this light, it is noted that absolute priority needs to be given to those critical measures that will serve to ensure modal shift and the prioritisation of Public Transport, cycling and walking as key modes of travel. 5 General Tonio Frendo 26/06/2016 Well done for what is an extremely extensive blueprint. I sincerely hope Comment noted. Grade-separated Comment that this and future Governments implement the majority of the pedestrian facilities are normally provided suggestions contained within this paper. Proposal to consider disruption on strategic, higher-speed roads where to traffic brought about by pedestrian traffic lights. One solution could vehicle flow is prioritised. In the Maltese be to divert key pedestrian crossings underground (similar to the context, this relates to the TEN-T Road university roundabout) e.g. Birkirkara next to McDonald's or Triq Sant' Network (Fig. 55). Grade-separated Anna in Floriana or at the bottom of the hill in Marsa. Another pedestrian facilities can be provided interesting idea I recently saw in Switzerland was a button on where there is sufficient space for pedestrian lights for the last person crossing to push and indicate that pedestrian ramps on the footpaths. the lights can turn back to green immediately. Within urban centres, surface-level pedestrian crossings which facilitate pedestrian movement are preferred. Transport Malta has been introducing pelican lights with pedestrian sensors which detect when a pedestrian has crossed the road to enable change of lights. 6 Development of a National Transport Model Supporting Strategy Development in Malta No. Document Consultee Date Summary of Comments Received Response Reference 6 General Daniel Cauchi 15/07/2016 It is unclear whether transport strategies and plans implemented by Transport Plans and Strategies developed Comment other countries or cities known to have a healthy transport mix (i.e. in other EU countries have been with a high proportion of trips carried out by bicycle or through walking, scrutinised during the compilation of the such as the Netherlands; Germany or London, UK) were consulted Malta NTS and TMP. In addition, expert during the drafting of this document. However, it seems that several input has been given from JASPERS and key features of these strategies which have demonstrated effectiveness external transport consultants who have have not been included in the Malta Transport Plan (MTP). I of course extensive experience in the drafting of appreciate that each country, each location, is unique and requires transport plans and policies in other unique targeted measures to be successfully implemented. However, European cities countries. since this is a critical document which will guide the development of local infrastructure and transport over the next decade and beyond, I believe that the apparent lack of linkages or references to successful interventions elsewhere is regrettable 7 General George 18/07/2016 This report is excellent; it is comprehensive and has at last realistically Comment noted. Comment Debono broadened the context to include alternative mobility as walking, cycling and Public Transport. 8 General Motor 22/07/2016 The MIA fully supports a holistic approach to tackle the current and Comment noted. Comment Insurance future challenges of transportation on land. Motor Insurance represents Association 46% of the non-life insurance business written in Malta, Motor insurers (MIA) in 2015 paid over €46.5m in claims relating to motor insurance and at the end of the year held another €55m in reserves relating to outstanding claims. Motor insurers in Malta therefore are hugely interested in any developments and plans that may contribute to making roads safer and thus minimise the incidence of traffic accidents and the consequent costs. The cost of motor claims directly impacts the premiums charged to policyholders, who ultimately carry the financial burden. Transport Master Plan – Supporting Document 2 –Consultation Feedback September 2016 7 Document No. Consultee Date Summary of Comments Received Response Reference 9 Chapter 1 George 18/07/2016 Weaknesses: Suggestions: “Hot summers, hilly terrain which may Comment noted, included in revised draft. Debono discourage active mobility as walking or bicycle and, possibly, Public Section 1.1 Transport” “Existing road network is designed for vehicular traffic it will be difficult to retro-fit or adapt these to other mobility options” 10 Chapter 1 George 18/07/2016 There is just one point where I particularly disagree – “………..Maltese Comment noted. The ‘vision zero’ target Debono roads have performed well in terms of road safety and, in recent years, for road fatalities has in fact been taken Section 1.1 Malta has retained one of the lowest per capita fatality rates in the EU” into account in the National Transport