RDN 03-06–FEBRUARY 2016 ROAD DESIGN NOTE Easy Access Stops (EAS) – Trafficable Platforms for Trams in Mixed Traffic 1. Purpose 2. Scope This Road Design Note (RDN) provides guidelines for This RDN is applicable for easy access stops (EAS) for the design of road infrastructure associated with trams: easy access tram stops located within an undivided . where posted speed limits are 60 km/h or less. road. at intersections and mid-block between Easy Access Stops (EAS) provide level access to trams intersections. for passengers by integrating platforms within the roadway by raising the road pavement and/or This RDN provides guidelines on: lowering the tram tracks. With this platform . types of routes where EAS would be arrangement, traffic is permitted to travel in the appropriate. kerbside lane over the EAS as well as along the tram road safety barrier requirements/consideration. tracks to the right of the raised roadway. Tram . passengers are still required to wait on the footpath . pedestrian operated signals, signing, line or nature strip area and cross the roadway to board marking and street lighting requirements. or after alighting the tram. Traffic is required to stop . intersection sight line requirements. in the same manner as for a kerbside tram stop. access and storage requirements. This RDN provides guidelines for Easy Access Stops where traffic is permitted to travel in the kerbside 3. Tram Route Selection lane as well as along the tram tracks, such as those installed in Bridge Road Richmond, Danks St Middle EAS could be considered on undivided roads where Park and Macarthur St Melbourne. the following factors may apply: This platform design enables traffic carrying capacity . are priority tram routes under the SmartRoads to be maintained on roads where construction of network operating plans other platform options are not suitable or would . where tram tracks are at 3.8m centres or space otherwise impact adversely on traffic queues and is available to widen tracks to 3.8m. operation of tram services. Clearways operate in the peak direction, allowing cars to travel in both the . located within strip shopping centres kerbside lane and the central lane. Kerbside parking . 4 traffic lanes (2 each way) with limited road either end of the EAS is permitted outside of reservation width. clearway hours. have a posted speed limit ≤60 km/h and where Accessible tram stops provide a platform and the operating speeds are ≤60 km/h associated ramps/pedestrian facilities that comply carry low volume of commercial vehicles (<5%) with the requirements of the Disability . Discrimination Act 1992, Disability Standards for . where off-street parking is available for Accessible Public Transport 2002 (DSAPT) and residents or where parking can be removed for referenced Australian Standards. the EAS and vehicular access to driveways can be provided. This RDN also takes into account the outcomes of the “before” and “after” monitoring and analysis . where clearways can be implemented undertaken to evaluate the impacts of the EAS in . optimisation of existing tram stops is planned. Bridge Road, Richmond. 2 RDN 03-06 – February 2016 5.1.3 Location 4. Traffic Lane Width Depending on site conditions, EAS can be located 4.1. Traffic lane width requirements. either directly opposite each other or staggered. EAS Minimum lane widths are as follows: should desirably be located close to existing pedestrian operated signal crossings at intersections . 3.3m adjacent to EAS (Cross section is based on or midblock locations. New pedestrian operated tram tracks being renewed with tracks being signal crossings to be installed at EAS where none offset by 200mm to provide minimum 3.3m exist. offside lane widths.) Where an EAS is proposed on the departure side of . 3.0m min - Kerbside lane on trafficable an intersection, it should be located a minimum platform distance of 50m from the intersection. 4.2. Pavement width requirements for 5.1.4 Longitudinal Grade and Crossfall turning movements at intersections. Proposed EAS locations should be chosen based on Refer AGRD Part 4: Intersections and Crossings – compliance with Disability Discrimination Act 1992, General and VicRoads Supplement to AGRD Part 4 Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport and Design Vehicles and Turning Path Templates 2002 (DSAPT) in relation to acceptable longitudinal (Austroads, 2006) and applicable VicRoads Region grade and crossfall. for advice on appropriate design vehicles, and EAS trafficable platforms are used as a walkway/ramp combinations of design vehicles. Particular for pedestrians, between the tram and footpath. As consideration should be made for buses turning left. such the longitudinal grade and crossfall should 4.3. Method of removal of redundant line consider the requirements for both users. marking. The extent and method of redundant line marking removal on arterial roads is subject to the approval of Figure 5.1 below shows the maximum grade and VicRoads whilst local roads are subject to the crossfall required in accordance with DSAPT (2002). approval of Council. Placement of asphalt overlays for the full width of pavement to cover redundant line marking may be required where substantial shifts in lane lines are required. Figure 5.1: EAS Platform Grade Proposals for changes to traffic lane widths and/or Grade (platform): 2.5% maximum alignments are subject to the approval of VicRoads. Appendix A provides details of the cross section and Crossfall (platform): 5.0% maximum layout of an EAS in Bridge Road. Note: Platform crossfall acts as a walkway gradient for pedestrian tram access. 5. Trafficable Platform 5.1.6 Height Requirements Height: 290mm (adjacent to tram tracks) 5.1. Platform 5.2. Ramp Details 5.1.1 Width As outlines in the ‘Trafficable easy access tram stop vehicle interaction study’ conducted by ARRB, the Trafficable Platform width: 3.1m min following ramp grades are considered desirable: 5.1.2 Length Recommended Ramp maximum speed 33.0m unless otherwise approved. grade (km/h) Should site constraints restrict this length, it should be of sufficient length to accommodate all access 1:12 10 doors of the design tram vehicle. Note, in some extreme cases, a 23m long platform may be 1:20 20 acceptable following consultation with relevant 1:40 60 stakeholders. 1:55 70 3 At constrained sites or if specific vehicle 8. Intersection Sight Line requirements are required, ramp grades can vary depending on road design speed, design vehicle Requirements criteria and emergency services requirements, etc. Sight line requirements at intersections are defined in e.g Where low floor buses do not utilize that AGRD Part 4A: Unsignalised and Signalised particular route. Approval from the relevant VicRoads Intersections and VicRoads Supplement to AGRD Region is required. Part 4. Mid-block locations are defined in AGRD Part 3: Geometric Design and VicRoads Supplement 6. Road Safety Barriers to AGRD Part 3. Road safety barrier requirements are dependent on EAS and associated pedestrian railing, shelters, etc. the following factors: shall not reduce sight distances below desirable SISD . posted speed limit requirements, unless agreed with the relevant VicRoads Region. tram stop patronage and road conditions . platform level relative to adjacent road 9. Drainage Requirements pavement The effect of EAS on the existing drainage system . presence of other shielding features should be checked. For drainage purposes, EAS Appendix B provides details of road safety barrier should be considered as traffic islands and comply requirements for different speed zones and platform with the requirements of AGRD Part 5: Drainage arrangements. Design – Section 2 and applicable VicRoads Supplement to AGRD Part 5. 7. Pedestrian Operated Signals, 10. Delineation and Bollard Signing, Line Marking & Street Protection Lighting Pedestrian operated signals shall comply with the 10.1. Delineation requirements of VicRoads Traffic Engineering To provide additional legibility and to highlight to Manual (TEM) Volume 1 – Traffic Management. road users the presence of the EAS, three yellow Note: Where new pedestrian operated signals are frangible guide posts should be installed at 2 metre proposed it is recommended that a SCRIM test be centres on the approach to the EAS. This assists to carried out to ensure that sufficient friction exists on deter lane changing close to the EAS and also approach to the crossing. Values defined in AGRD encourage drivers to avoid traversing the EAS outside Part 3: Geometric Design and VicRoads Supplement clearway periods. to AGRD Part 3. An approved flexible guide post (white with an in- A signing and line marking strategy has not been built white delineator) should be installed on the developed at this stage, therefore all signs and ramps and platform to highlight the presence of a linemarking shall comply with the requirements of change in level. A minimum of three guide posts VicRoads’ TEM Volume 2 - Signs and Markings. For should be installed on the ramps. The spacing on the consistency purposes the relevant authority should platform is dictated by the potential position of the be consulted. tram doors. For a 33m EAS, the suggested spacing for guide posts is 4m from start, 8m, 9m, and 8m For the purpose of street lighting, roads adjacent to and 4m from other end. EAS shall be lit to a minimum of V3 standard. Particular attention should be paid to ensure Linemarking on the approach to an EAS is important appropriate lighting of lane re-alignments, the ramps as drivers may wish to change lanes prior to the abutting the tram platform, lane narrowings, platform. To avoid any last minute maneuvers, that pedestrian crossings and bollards. Lighting shall also could result in a vehicle straddling the ramp, it is comply with Disability Discrimination Act 1992, recommended that 40m of dual continuous solid Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport line be painted on the approach to the EAS. This 2002 (DSAPT). would act as a deterrent and encourage drivers to avoid traversing the EAS outside clearway periods.