Development Stages of a Road Management Strategy Suitable to the Burdekin Shire
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University of Southern Queensland Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences Development Stages of a Road Management Strategy Suitable to the Burdekin Shire A dissertation submitted by Sarah-Jane Lazzarini in fulfilment of the requirements of ENG4111 and ENG4112 Research Project towards the degree of Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Civil) Submitted October, 2016 Abstract Local government infrastructure makes possible the wide range of lifestyle choices enjoyed in Australia and at the core of local government, there is the forum for local decision-making. There is a need to explore whether all aspects are being considered for such decisions; how the infrastructure functions, what is required to be sustainable in the future and are the resources to be able to do better accessible. Undoubtedly, the five W’s and H (who, what, when, where, why and how) can abridge this exploration. The Burdekin Shire was the area considered for this research project and the aim was to commence development towards establishing strategic direction for road management. Throughout this year, the opportunities and challenges facing the region were investigated alongside the collection of traffic-related data and stakeholder input. The research was fundamental since Burdekin has limited formal policy relating to road management, which can be vital to demonstrating to the ratepayers that Council is operating consistently and can be accountable for its decision-making. Naturally, Council’s ultimate goal is to be operating effectively, realizing efficiency and maintaining sustainability. It was evidenced by the literature that sustainability is an on-going process and that defined strategies are pivotal to reaching infrastructure goals. How road infrastructure can contribute to the environmental, economic and social pillars was also examined. The research findings show that planning is instrumental to enabling infrastructure to reach its full potential for these pillars of the municipal. The implementation of a data collection program highlighted various traffic and safety trends that should be insightful to the planning of works. The analysis also acknowledged the importance of the local context and regional profile in establishing strategic direction so that it reflects the community being serviced; thereby enhancing the chance of acceptance. The success of the formulations can be measured by continued data analytics of the traffic and social environment in the Burdekin. The research project work has been a large step forward in establishing strategic direction suitable to the Burdekin, and there are many opportunities for future work to enhance sustainable engineering road management practice. i University of Southern Queensland Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences ENG4111/ENG4112 Research Project Limitations of Use The Council of the University of Southern Queensland, its Faculty of Health, Engineering & Sciences, and the staff of the University of Southern Queensland, do not accept any responsibility for the truth, accuracy or completeness of material contained within or associated with this dissertation. Persons using all or any part of this material do so at their own risk, and not at the risk of the Council of the University of Southern Queensland, its Faculty of Health, Engineering & Sciences or the staff of the University of Southern Queensland. This dissertation reports an educational exercise and has no purpose or validity beyond this exercise. The sole purpose of the course pair entitled “Research Project” is to contribute to the overall education within the student’s chosen degree program. This document, the associated hardware, software, drawings, and other material set out in the associated appendices should not be used for any other purpose: if they are so used, it is entirely at the risk of the user. ii University of Southern Queensland Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences ENG4111/ENG4112 Research Project Certification I certify that the ideas, designs and experimental work, results, analyses and conclusions set out in this dissertation are entirely my own effort, except where otherwise indicated and acknowledged. I further certify that the work is original and has not been previously submitted for assessment in any other course or institution, except where specifically stated. Sarah-Jane Lazzarini Student Number: 0050084697 iii Acknowledgements Foremost I would like to thank Callan for his support, patience and encouragement during the research project effort. This has been a major technical task, which could have otherwise been lonely without those who make the light shine at the end of tunnel. I would also like to thank and acknowledge the data contribution of Wilmar, Burdekin Shire Council and other participants. A special thanks to Michelle Scott for her guidance in utilising ESRI software products, Robyn Elphinstone at the Burdekin Library for being the local-history-finder-guru, and Peter Geary and Joshua Torrisi for being my off-siders for the traffic counter installations. Additionally, cheers to those special souls who are too many to mention, who offered support in many shapes and forms. In addition, the assistance provided to me by USQ Library staff during the literature searching, especially Faculty Librarian Ms Sandra Cochrane, has been invaluable to this ‘external student’. Finally I would like to thank USQ Supervisor, Mr Trevor Drysdale, for being there - letting me run with it, and most importantly, making me laugh. iv Table of Contents Abstract ................................................................................................................................ i Limitations of Use ............................................................................................................... ii Certification ........................................................................................................................ iii Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................ iv 1.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background ......................................................................................................... 3 1.2 Project Aim ......................................................................................................... 4 1.3 Project Justification ............................................................................................. 4 1.4 Methodology ....................................................................................................... 7 2.0 Literature Review .......................................................................................................... 9 2.1 Definitions ................................................................................................................. 9 2.1.1 Road Hierarchy .................................................................................................. 9 2.1.2 Specific Area .................................................................................................... 11 2.1.3 Functional Classification .................................................................................. 12 2.1.4 Low Volume Road ........................................................................................... 17 2.2 Road Management .................................................................................................. 17 2.2.1 Network ............................................................................................................ 19 2.2.2 Warrants ........................................................................................................... 22 2.2.3 Maintenance ..................................................................................................... 23 2.3 Sustainability ........................................................................................................... 26 2.3.1 Financial Sustainability .................................................................................... 26 2.3.2 Environmental and Social Sustainability ......................................................... 27 2.4 Ethics ....................................................................................................................... 30 2.4.1 Code of Ethics .................................................................................................. 30 2.4.2 Responsibility ................................................................................................... 31 2.5 Conclusion .............................................................................................................. 31 3.0 The History of Transport in the Burdekin ................................................................... 33 4.0 Legal Obligations ........................................................................................................ 41 4.1 Governance ............................................................................................................. 41 4.1.1 Local Government Act 2009 ............................................................................ 41 4.1.1 Local Government Regulation 2012 ................................................................ 42 4.2 Transport ................................................................................................................. 43 4.2.1 Transport Infrastructure Act 1994 ...................................................................