University of Southern Queensland Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences School of Civil Engineering & Surveying ‘The impact of a new light rail network upon walkability in a central business district’ A dissertation submitted by Mrs Nadya Miller In fulfilment of the requirements of Bachelor of Spatial Science October 2014 ii ABSTRACT Traditionally, in Australia, development has occurred in a way that has encouraged car use rather than public or active transport. Recently, there has been an increasing amount of research into walkability and how it can best be encouraged when designing neighbourhoods, in order to reduce those problems associated with car dependency such as urban sprawl and increased obesity rates. The recent construction of a light rail system on the Gold Coast presents an opportunity to utilise and apply findings from existing research to existing pedestrian infrastructure, walkability levels and connectivity to some important destinations from a new light rail station. Therefore, this research paper aims to determine to what degree the walkability concepts have been considered during the design and construction of pathways from new light rail stations to important destinations, and to provide recommendations which will aid policy makers when designing the next stages of this network and future networks. The paper will have a specific focus on the factors that impact upon the attitudes and behaviours to walking. The mixed methods research project revealed that the routes to the key facilities around the case study tram station were in fact very walkable and well connected, but identified some important factors which inhibit walkability. Suggestions and recommendations are provided to enhance the desirability of walking in a central business district. The key issue this research paper has identified is that the development of a light rail system and the upgrade to the walking facilities around it will not automatically increase the number of people walking in an area, and that policy makers should consider many other factors during the planning, design and implementation stages of new pedestrian networks. iii DISCLAIMER 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. iv CANDIDATES CERTIFICATION University of Southern Queensland Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences ENG4111/ENG4112 Research Project Certification of Dissertation 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. N. Miller 0090053805 v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS In undertaking this research project I would have been floundering aimlessly if it were not for the invaluable advice and encouragement I received from my supervisors at USQ. Thank you so much, Paula Grant and Marita Basson, for pointing me in the right direction and ensuring I stayed on the right ‘track’ throughout this year. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my employers, Andrews & Hansen Pty Ltd, for encouraging me throughout this degree and providing assistance and advice when I needed it. Finally, to my family, you have put up with my stress and occasional grumpiness for the last six years and have been pillars of support throughout. Thank you to you all. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................................. ii DISCLAIMER ........................................................................................................................ iii CANDIDATES CERTIFICATION ........................................................................................ iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ..................................................................................................... v TABLE OF CONTENTS ........................................................................................................ vi LIST OF FIGURES .............................................................................................................. viii LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................................... x CHAPTER 1 ............................................................................................................................ 1 1.0 Introduction .............................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Background .......................................................................................................... 3 1.2 Objectives ............................................................................................................ 8 1.3 Justification ........................................................................................................ 10 1.4 Outline ................................................................................................................ 12 1.5 Consequential effects ......................................................................................... 13 1.6 Conclusion ......................................................................................................... 16 CHAPTER 2 .......................................................................................................................... 17 2.0 Literature Review ................................................................................................... 17 2.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 17 2.2 Southport and the Gold Coast – Then and now ................................................. 18 2.3 Walkability and its effects on the population with regard to environmental, economic and social factors ........................................................................................... 24 2.4 Light rail – What is it and what are its benefits? ................................................ 32 2.5 Light rail around the world ................................................................................ 40 2.6 Light rail in Australia ......................................................................................... 44 2.7 Gold Coast light rail ........................................................................................... 57 2.8 Conclusion ......................................................................................................... 60 CHAPTER 3 .......................................................................................................................... 61 3.0 Research design ..................................................................................................... 61 3.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 61 3.2 Methodology ...................................................................................................... 62 3.3 Resource Requirements ...................................................................................... 70 3.4 Conclusion ......................................................................................................... 71 vii CHAPTER 4 .......................................................................................................................... 72 4.0 Results .................................................................................................................... 72 4.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 72 4.2 Around the tram station itself ............................................................................. 73 4.3 Tram station to the Southport Library ................................................................ 79 4.4 Tram station to the Courthouse .......................................................................... 90 4.5 Tram station to TAFE ........................................................................................ 95 4.6 Tram station to Broadwater Parklands ............................................................. 101 4.7 Tram station to Australia Fair Shopping Centre .............................................