East Derwent Highway Speed Limit Review Consultation & October 2018 Findings Report

East Derwent Highway Speed Limit Review October 2018 Consultation & Feedback Report

Document title 1

Contents

Executive Summary ...... 1 Project overview ...... 2 Considerations ...... 2 Project Location ...... 3 Consultation objectives ...... 3 Engagement summary ...... 4 Feedback summary ...... 4 Interactive responses ...... 4 Feedback summary ...... 7 Overview of key feedback themes ...... 7 Outcome and recommendations ...... 13 Next steps ...... 13

Stakeholder Consultation & Findings Report i

Executive Summary

The Department of State Growth regularly receives speed limit review applications for various locations across the road network. Following an application from a Clarence Lifestyle Village resident, Clarence City Council and the Royal Automobile Club of Tasmania, State Growth undertook a review of the 100km/h speed limit on a two- kilometre section of the East Derwent Highway between the Risdon Roundabout and Sugarloaf Road, Geilston Bay. The concerns originally related to establishment of the Clarence Lifestyle Village and the risks posed by increased turning traffic due to its access via Piper Road to the East Derwent Highway. State Growth has previously banned the right turn from Piper Road to mitigate some risks associated with this increase in use. It has been proposed to reduce the speed limit to 80km/h along this section.

Setting realistic speed limits is important in ensuring road users obey the speed limit. It has been shown that setting low speed limits in higher speed environments results in poor compliance and therefore the credibility of a speed limit at a specific location is an important factor that is taken into account. However, research indicates that even small reductions (10 km/h) in travelling speeds can lead to 25 per cent reductions in serious casualties.

Engagement on the speed limit change was undertaken from Monday 30 July to 4pm on Friday 17 August 2018 and communicated via two posts on the RoadsTas Facebook page, variable message boards on site, a media release, through a dedicated webpage on the State Growth Transport website, and an article on the homepage of the Transport website. Feedback was collected via an interactive map, through Facebook comments and via a paper feedback form which was letterbox dropped to all residents of the Clarence Lifestyle Village.

A total of 504 submissions were received; however, multiple submissions or comments considered as one submission. In this context, there was a total of 432 submissions.

A breakdown of the 432 submissions reveals:

 230 submissions opposed the speed limit change

 138 submissions supported the speed limit change

 64 submissions were not prescriptive in their support or opposition to the speed limit change.

Following a review of the feedback, clear themes were identified throughout the submissions including, questioning the need for the speed limit reduction, safety, extending the dual lanes, consistency in speed limit application, residential development, and driver behaviour. State Growth has considered each submission and provided a response to the key themes identified.

While speed limit reductions do generally reduce the severity of crashes, this section of the East Derwent Highway has been constructed to a 100km/h standard and visual cues to motorists do not therefore support compliance with a lower speed limit. As the majority of submissions do not support a reduction in speed limit, which reinforces the likelihood of a low level of compliance, and as safety improvements at Piper Road intersection will be undertaken by the developer of the Clarence Lifestyle Village, State Growth will not be proceeding with a recommendation to reduce the speed limit.

At this time, the speed limit will remain at 100km/h on the two-kilometre section of the East Derwent Highway between the Risdon Roundabout and Sugarloaf Road, Geilston Bay.

Stakeholder Consultation & Findings Report 1

Project overview

The Department of State Growth regularly receives applications to review speed limits across the road network.

Following applications from a concerned resident, Clarence City Council and the Royal Automobile Club of Tasmania, State Growth undertook a review of the 100km/h speed limit on a two-kilometre section of the East Derwent Highway between the Risdon Roundabout and Sugarloaf Road, Geilston Bay. It has been proposed to reduce the speed limit to 80km/h along this section.

The installation of, or change to, a speed limit sign is recommended by the relevant road manager in writing to the Commissioner, following a technical review against the Australian Standard AS1742.

Assessment against AS1742 will often provide a clear outcome as to the speed limit that should apply for a section of road; however, in some cases the outcome is not clear, for example the road may be suitable for a range of speed limits (80 km/h to 100 km/h).

This section of the highway has been built to a highway standard with divided carriageways, and there are few visual cues to motorists that lower speeds are appropriate.

As the assessment against AS1742 was not clear, State Growth opted to seek the community’s views on the proposed speed limit change.

Considerations

Tasmania’s Road Rules 2009 set the default speed limits which apply to a length of road – 50 km/h in a built-up area, 100 km/h on a sealed road, and 80 km/h on an unsealed road. The Road Rules also specify that a speed limit sign installed on any length of road dictates the speed limit, which allows the uses of speed limits other than the default.

The installation of road signs, including speed limit signs, is covered by Section 59 of Tasmania’s Traffic Act 1925. This section of the act prohibits the installation of any regulatory signs on a road unless directed by the Commissioner for Transport (the Commissioner). While the Commissioner has issued a general direction allowing road managers to install some types of signs without a direction, that direction specifically excludes speed limit signs.

The installation of, or change to, a speed limit sign is recommended by the relevant road manager in writing to the Commissioner, following a technical review against the Australian Standard AS1742. Standard AS1742 balances traffic flow and other considerations such as the number of property accesses, and vehicles entering and exiting the road.

Setting realistic speed limits is important in ensuring road users obey the speed limit. It has been shown that setting low speed limits in higher speed environments results in poor compliance and therefore the credibility of a speed limit at a specific location is an important factor that is taken into account. However, research indicates that even small reductions (10 km/h) in travelling speeds can lead to 25 per cent reductions in serious casualties.

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Project Location

RISDON

RISDON VALE

Piper Road

Sugarloaf Road

GEILSTON BAY

Consultation objectives

The objective of the community consultation was to gauge community agreement to the proposed speed limit change.

A secondary outcome of the engagement was achieved by asking the community to share their experiences of the East Derwent Highway. This will allow State Growth to identify potential issues or concerns experienced by road users in this area and consider them in future planning.

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Engagement summary

Engagement on the speed limit change on the East Derwent Highway between the Risdon Roundabout and Sugarloaf Road was undertaken from Monday 30 July to 4pm on Friday 17 August 2018.

The community engagement was communicated via two posts on the RoadsTas Facebook page, variable message boards on site, a media release, through a dedicated webpage on the State Growth Transport website, and an article on the homepage of the Transport website.

Feedback was collected via an interactive map, through Facebook comments and via a paper feedback form which was letterbox dropped to all residents of the Clarence Lifestyle Village. The State Growth, State Roads Division postal address and telephone number was included on the feedback form. Copies of each communication method is available at Appendix A.

Feedback summary

We received a total of 504 submissions with regards to the speed limit review. A summary of the feedback submissions includes:

 281 comments from 212 individuals via interactive map  131 Facebook comments over two posts (more with tags, shares and replies)  81 paper forms  16 direct emails or letters from eight individuals. For the purpose of analysing the feedback, where individuals made multiple submissions or comments, this was considered as one submission. In this context, there was a total of 432 submissions.

A breakdown of the 432 submissions reveals:

 230 submissions opposed the speed limit change

 138 submissions supported the speed limit change

 64 submissions were not prescriptive in their support or opposition to the speed limit change.

Interactive responses

Interactive map – overview

The interactive map was open for comment from Monday 30 July to 4pm, Friday 17 August 2018. A summary of the engagement activity includes:

Total Visits Unique Users Average Time Unique Stakeholders Comments

1082 1027 14:24 mins 212 281

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Total Visits Unique Users Average Time Unique Stakeholders Comments

The total The total number The average time The number of people The total number of of unique people people are spending who are interacting number of visits to your viewing your site on the site viewing with the site (adding comments on project site (generally and interacting with comments) your site determined by the project using the same browser)

The top five comments from the interactive map are in the below table.

 Up votes – equates to the number of likes this post received

 Down votes – equated to the number of dislikes this post received

Date of Comment (verbatim) Up votes Down votes comment

01 August 100 kms isn’t an excessive speed. If you can’t drive on 17 2 2018 a highway at 100ks you probably shouldn’t be driving. Also a lot of people seem to drive at 10 kms below the limit which will hold traffic up even more and cause more impatient drivers to do eratic moves causing more accidents.

01 August It should be two lanes North bound from the traffic 16 0 2018 lights at the school to where the highway becomes two lanes again. Very frustrating for parents to have to merge lanes after the lights just to turn left into the school.

01 August As stated this road was made to support the current 13 0 2018 limit and there is no evidence to support a change. Most accidents are caused by careless driving (turning in front of another vehicle) or excessive speed (well above posted limit). Reduced speed limits will not reduce accidents or fatalities. People who use excessive speeds will always do so even in 60kph limits. Leave at 100.

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Date of Comment (verbatim) Up votes Down votes comment

01 August Leave it as is. It is a straight open piece of road, you 10 1 2018 can see clearly. Any accidents are obviously caused by the user not the road. It’s two lanes so if someone is turning onto the road there is another lane to go around if they haven’t picked up speed by the time you get near them.

01 August Leave it at 100km/h 10 1 2018

Facebook

The following are the top posts from the RoadsTas Facebook page:

Comment (verbatim) Reaction/s Replies Total interactions

How about making the single lane section of the 19 Likes 2 23 highway between the Geilston Bay lights and the 2 Loves Risdon turn off dual lanes.

Cars have become safer. Roads are built with safety in 8 Likes 3 11 mind and better maintained. Why are you even entertaining the idea of lowering the speed limit?

I was first on the scene to the young motorbike rider 7 Likes 4 11 who died instantly at the scene on this road a few years back. It had NOTHING to do with the posted speed limit. It was all to do with the trees over hanging the road causing reduced viasbility. Reducing speed limits everywhere is NOT the answer - educating road users and better driver training is required.

It’s a high quality duel carriageway with separation 7 Likes 2 10 barriers, there is no justification to lower the limit. 1 Loves

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Comment (verbatim) Reaction/s Replies Total interactions

Some people’s driving ability is the issue and that shouldn’t be compensated for by lowering limits.

Dont really understand the justification. Is it the 31 8 Likes 1 9 crashes in the 5 year period? By the sounds of it that's partly due to the turning issues into Pipers Rd. I could be wrong. In the 5 year period, 21.9 million vehicles would travel this road. Are 31 crashes high for this amount of traffic over that period? How can people comment when there isn't really a justification for change, or at least evidence for change to be beneficial.

Leave it at 100 there is no obligation to do 100, it's 8 Likes 0 8 two lanes. This is by far the most Hobartian Facebook post I've seen this weekend

Improve road would be a better option 8 Likes 0 8

Feedback summary

Following a review of the feedback, clear themes were identified throughout the submissions. These include:

 Questioning the need for the speed limit reduction

 Safety

 Extending the dual lanes

 Consistency in speed limit application

 Residential development

 Driver behaviour.

Overview of key feedback themes

Question the need for the speed limit reduction

Summary of issues

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The majority of feedback responses questioned why State Growth were exploring a reduction in the speed limit along the East Derwent Highway at this section. Generally, it was noted the highway was built to a high standard and the majority of road users could confidently drive at that speed.

Response

Speed limits are reviewed for a variety of reasons including requests from local council, Police or the community, due to development, or changing road environments.

A number of factors are taken into consideration when a review is carried out on an existing speed limit, including:

 Safety concerns  Crash history  Condition of the road  What the road is used for  Traffic volumes  Presence of vulnerable road users, such as cyclists and pedestrians  Number of accesses and intersections  Compliance with AustRoads and engineering guidelines. We may also consult with stakeholders such as police, local councils and the community to determine if a speed limit change is supported. In this instance, State Growth engaged with the community to determine if a speed limit reduction is supported.

Speed limits need to provide a reasonable balance between traffic flow and local safety considerations, and setting a realistic speed limit is important to ensure it is adhered to by all road users.

It has been shown that setting low speed limits for higher speed limit environments results in poor compliance and therefore the credibility of a speed limit at a specific location is an important factor that is taken into account.

Safety

Summary of issues

The majority of submissions in support of the speed limit reduction expressed concerns about safety along this section of the highway. Most concerns were in relation to accessing the highway from local side roads, businesses and the correctional facility.

Response

The East Derwent Highway has been built to a high road standard with wide traffic lanes, sealed shoulders, clear line marking and a central median barrier. The alignment of the road was designed to provide enough sight distance for drivers to see an upcoming hazard and slow down or stop before a crash.

The surrounding environment at this location has changed due to an increase in residential development.

Piper Road

With regards to access to and from Piper Road, State Growth has already removed the right-turn out of Piper Road to improve safety. A concrete island will be installed to reinforce the removal of the right-turn and guide drivers to turn left.

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To increase safety at this intersection, State Growth understands the developer has committed to undertaking improvement works at the Piper Road intersection.

For traffic turning into Piper Road, a dedicated left-turn lane will be built for residents to pull into to slow down to turn into Piper Road.

For traffic turning out of Piper Road, a merge lane will be installed to assist drivers with merging into the left lane of highway traffic.

These improvements should increase safety for residents and road users of Piper Road and the East Derwent Highway.

Sugarloaf Road

There have been a number of complaints received that suggest that it is difficult for drivers to turn right from the highway into Sugarloaf Road due to the presence of the median separation barrier.

While adequate sight distance is available at the end of the right turn lane, some drivers prefer to select a gap further back in the turn lane, so that they can maintain vehicle speed rather than coming to a complete stop.

Drivers turning right out of Sugarloaf Road must give way to traffic turning right into Sugarloaf Road and must also select a gap in two southbound highway lanes. An additional northbound lane has been provided to enable right-turning drivers to pull safely out of the two highway lanes.

While this layout complies with the relevant Austroads traffic engineering guidelines, State Growth recognises that some drivers find this manoeuvre challenging.

As part of the planned highway upgrade between Golf Links Road and Sugarloaf Road, traffic signals are being considered for the Geilston Bay Road and Clinton Road intersection. As Clinton Road connects with Sugarloaf Road, this means drivers would have an alternative access point to the highway controlled by traffic signals.

Accesses near Risdon Roundabout

A number of concerns were raised about drivers accessing the Risdon Prison, Risdon Brook Tavern and the Discovery Park Holiday Park.

Many suggested that due to the close proximity of the roundabout (less than 200 metres), the right turn movement from the Risdon Brook Tavern and the Discovery Holiday Park onto the East Derwent Highway should be removed. The RACT have also expressed support for the removal of the right turn movement at this location.

State Growth will consider this request as part of improving safety along this section of the highway.

Accessing the bus stop

State Growth agrees with concerns about pedestrians crossing the highway to the bus stop and this was raised during the development application stage for the Clarence Lifestyle Village. It is unsafe for pedestrians to cross a four lane highway at either 80km/h or 100km/h in the absence of appropriate traffic controls.

Residents at Clarence Lifestyle Village have access to a village bus operated by the Village Manager. This is in place to help residents and their visitors safely access such places as local shops, appointments, recreational clubs and other venues. State Growth has been advised on a number of occasions by the developer that this service was established to reduce the need for Village residents to use public transport.

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Extending the dual lanes

Summary of issues

Some submissions raised questions when the dual carriageway would be extended further south.

Response

The Tasmanian Government has committed $22 million to extend the dual divided carriageway from north of Golf Links Road to south of Sugarloaf Road.

This highway upgrade aims to provide better access to the various developments in the area, including the Lindisfarne North Primary School, and will include a new set of traffic signals at the intersection of Geilston Bay Road and Clinton Road. This project is in the design stage and construction is expected to start in 2020.

Consistency in speed limit along the East Derwent Highway

Summary of issues

Some submissions commented on the changes in speed limit along the East Derwent Highway with requests for a consistent speed limit across the corridor, with most suggesting an increase in speed limit to 100km/h.

Response

State Growth recognises this is the only part of the East Derwent Highway with a 100 km/h speed limit.

This section of the highway has been built to a high road standard with wide traffic lanes, sealed shoulders, clear line marking and a central median barrier. The alignment of the road was designed to provide enough sight distance for drivers to see an upcoming hazard and slow down or stop before a crash.

The 80 km/h speed limit on the other parts of the highway was put in place soon after the 1975 Tasman Bridge incident, when the highway was quickly upgraded to provide an alternative access to the Bridgewater Bridge. These road upgrades did not include any road alignment or sight distance improvements, meaning the road is not suitable for higher speeds.

Residential development

Summary of issues

Some submissions commented on the size and level of residential development in the area and the need for the highway to cater for the access requirements of these residents.

Response

The planned highway upgrade between Golf Links Road and Sugarloaf Road will include new traffic signals at the Geilston Creek Road and Clinton Road intersection. This will provide safer access to Dumbarton Drive, and with appropriate land-use planning, Dumbarton Drive could provide a suitable road connection to the current subdivision current being constructed.

This planning and road connection falls under the responsibility of the Clarence City Council, and the Development Application will formally raise this matter.

If this road connection was used, it could connect to Napier Street which also connects with Piper Road, thereby providing Clarence Lifestyle Village residents with an alternative access point controlled by traffic signals.

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Driver behaviour

Summary of issues

A number of comments were about driver behaviour and its impact on safety for other road users.

Response

State Growth encourages safe driving practices for all road users. We remind road users of the importance of driving to the conditions, and of recognising the variety and differences of road users, such as vehicle type and the age of drivers.

Location of submissions

The following table outlines the location of those stakeholders and community members who submitted feedback.

Postcode Suburb (covered by postcode) Number of submissions

7000 Glebe, Hobart, Mount Stuart, North Hobart, Queens Domain, West 4 Hobart

7001 Hobart (PO Box) 1

7004 Battery Point, South Hobart 1

7009 Derwent Park, Moonah, Lutana, West Moonah 5

7010 Dowsing Point, Glenorchy, Goodwood, Montrose, Rosetta 9

7011 Austins Ferry, Berriedale, Chigwell, Claremont 5

7012 Collinsvale, Glenlusk 1

7015 Geilston Bay, Lindisfarne, Rose Bay 131

7016 Risdon Vale 20

7017 Grasstree Hill, Honeywood, Old Beach, Otago, Risdon, Tea Tree 20

7018 Bellerive, Howrah, Montagu Bay, Mornington, Rosny, Rosny Park, 29 Tranmere, Warrane

7019 Clarendon Vale, Oakdowns, Rokeby 6

7020 Clifton Beach, Sandford 2

7021 Lauderdale 1

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7025 Dulcot, Richmond 3

7026 Campania 2

7030 Apsley, Arthurs Lake, Bagdad, Bothwell, Bridgewater, Brighton, 17 Broadmarsh, Cramps Bay, Dromedary, Dysart, Eldersie, Flintstone, Gagebrook, Granton, Herdsmans Cove, Hermitage, Interlaken, Jericho, Kempton, Lake Sorell, Liawenee, Lower Marshes, Melton Mowbray, Miena, Millers Bluff, Morass Bay, Pelham, Pontville, Shannon, Steppes, Tods Corner, Waddamana, Wilberville.

7053 Bonnet Hill, Taroona 1

7105 N/A 1

7140 Black Hills, Boyer, Bradys Lake, Bronte Park, Bushy Park, Butlers 3 Gorge, Dee, Derwent Bridge, Ellendale, Fentonbury, Fitzgerald, Florentine, Glenfern, Glenora, Grenta, Hamilton, Hayes, Hollow Tree, Karanja, Lachlan, Lake St Clair, Lawitta, Little Pine Lagoon, London Lakes, Macquarie Plains, Magra, Malbina, Maydena, Meadowbank, Moogara, Molesworth, Mount Field, Mount Lloyd, National Park, New Norfolk, Osterley, Ouse, Plenty, Rosegarland, Sorell Creek, Strickland, Styx, Tarraleah, Tyenna, Uxbridge, Victoria Valley, Wayatinah, Westerway.

7170 Acton Park, Cambridge, Mount Rumney, Roches Beach, Seven Mile 2 Beach

7171 Midway Point, Penna 2

7172 Nugent, Oreilton, Pawleena, Sorell, Wattle Hill 1

7173 Carlton, Carlton River, Connellys Marsh, Dodges Ferry, Forcett, 1 Lewisham, Primrose Sands

7256 Bungaree, Currie, Egg Lagoon, Grassy, Loorana, Lymwood, Napacoopa, 1 Nugara, Pearshape, Pegarah, Reekara, Sea Elephant, Surprise Bay, Wickham, Yambacoona, Yarra Creek

7320 Acton, Brooklyn, Burnie, Camdale, Cooee, Downlands, Emu Heights, 1 Havenview, Hillcrest, Montello, Park Grove, Parklands, Ocean Vista, Romaine, Round Hill, Shorewell Park, South Burnie, Upper Burnie, Wivenhoe

Unknown/ 162 not specified

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Outcome and recommendations

The review concluded the majority of submissions do not support a reduction in the speed limit on the East Derwent Highway between the Risdon Roundabout and Sugarloaf Road, Geilston Bay.

At this time, State Growth will not be proceeding with a recommendation to the Transport Commissioner to change the speed limit. The speed limit will remain at 100km/h on the two-kilometre section of the East Derwent Highway between the Risdon Roundabout and Sugarloaf Road, Geilston Bay for the foreseeable future.

Next steps

State Growth will communicate the outcome of the speed limit engagement process to the community. We thank the community for their participation and patience while we undertook this process.

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Department of State Growth 4 Salamanca Place Salamanca TAS 7001 Australia

Phone: 1800 753 878

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.transport.tas.gov.au

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