Discussion

Treat Carpools and Vanpools the same way as 'public transport'

On this page I have suggested that the list of public transport modes be expanded to refer to carpools and vanpools. Please see elsewhere where I've suggested consideration of flexible carpooling as a system for reducing the fuel use and emissions of the whole transport system at incredibly low cost.

-- PaulMinett - 18 May 2008 09:23

Connected Goal statement

I have modfied the goal statement to emphasise the mobility dimension more. The previouse version was also attempting to cover telecommunications connectedness which is now in Knowlege city.

-- DavidMayes - 07 Jun 2008 18:02

19th century infrastructure

Much of the transport and mobility infrastructure in Melbourne is based on 19th century technology. Peak oil and climate change are likely to drive major changes in urban transport technologies and practices. New technologies have the potential to shape urban transport systems in the future.

To efficiently connect Melbourne, while maintaining environmental responsibility, it is desirable that at least 90 per cent of people travel by public transport, walking, cycling, or other forms of shared transportation.

· City Culture

o Reasons for using the city

· The city has a unique place in our society containing many cultural assets and business es that can only be accessed within it. Thus the city has unique role within our society, having to provide for both the people who live and work within it, and also for the entire population of the state and those visiting from outside of Victoria.

o Commuting from regional areas

· Frequency upgrades and cost reduction to enable easier access to Melbourne from regional areas.

o Information/access (disabilities)

· Multi-lingual/multi-media information

· Provide better access to information through multimedia tools, with attention to needs of people with disabilities and people using languages other than English. This could include electronic data-point units with a visual and aural interface, to cater the needs of people with disabilities.

· Physical access

· Easy and simple physical access to the city should be available to all people, including those with disabilities. This should be as consistent as possible throughout the city. Stepless access should be offered, either by ramp or by lift. New building design should adhere to the inclusion model.

o Safety

· People using the city should feel safe being in it and travelling to and from it. Currently, this is not the case, particularly in the evening and late into the night.

o Tourism

· Tourism is an important part of Melbourne's character. It stands to benefit from improvements to accessibility and transport.

o Cultural Ambassadors and the Human Connection

• • • Tram Conductors

· The return of conductors brings back a human face to the tram system. They aid in the provision of information and help with access and safety. They also provide a sense of common community in a city where community is hard to find.

· PT

o Integration

· Central bus interchange

· Currently there is little or no integration between rail, tram and bus service in the CBD. By placing a major bus interchange near a major hub such as Flinders Street Station, bus services become easy to use rather than a problem solving exercise for those that have no other choice.

· Connecting services

· Interchange between services and different modes of transport should be painless, with minimal waiting or walking. Timetables should be properly aligned to enable this.

· Park and ride system coupled with new developments at outer stations

· Park and ride systems should be expanded both within the existing rail system and into new growth areas to encourage use of PT into the city.

· Bikes and PT

· Bike lockers at transport hubs (interchanges, stations, etc)

· Bike racks on buses

· Bike friendly trams with space provided on new larger trams which can also used for wheelchairs/prams/etc.

· Multi storey car parks at stations with bike lock-ups facilities on the ground floors.

o River taxis connected to central city public transport

· A frequent ferry service along the river from Docklands to Herron Island makes the river a focal point of the city and provides a service both for tourists and for commuters. This service should utilise Met tickets, if any.

o Bay Ferries

· A series of Bay Ferry services should be implemented to facilitate travel across the northern end of Port Phillip Bay. These small, fast ferries link seaside communities such as Williamstown and St Kilda/Brighton. Also link Sandringham and Frankston lines(Edithvale to Sandrigham/Brighton).

o Information

· Good information services are essential to a friendly and useable public transport system. A number of recommendations have been made above.

· Connies

· Touch screen trip planners

· Various mediums of communication (linked to access)

· Linked to phone/internet

· Provision for disability access to information

o Safety

· The perception of a safe public transport system is critical to encourage use, Train guards/station staff/conductors all help in this. Late night services should have security guards travelling on the trains. Stations with a history or reputation for violence and or ethnic intimation such as Sunshine should be patrol by gards.

o Shelter and more infrastructure at stops

· Stops and stations for all modes need to be accommodating to passengers and should thus provide shelter, seating, proper service information (real-time information), surveillance and emergency alert and response. Payphone service should also be provided at

o Free??? Or free for certain people??

o Increase

o Awareness/Education

· Public attitudes

· Information for modal changes (i.e. From cars)

o Quiet carriage

o Expansion

· The public transport system needs considerable expansion if it is to be considerred a true alternative to car transport. This exapansion includes.:

· Use freeway system to expand rail network and replace significant amounts of freeway traffic,. Combine with park and ride and suburb public transport network (See Perth)

· Open outer circle heavy rail and an inner circle light rail

· Extend heavy rail lines in growth corridors

· Airport should be serviced with a heavy rail line.

· Increased service and frequency it critical for making ractive public transport

· Outer suburbs service expansion including the creation of a network systems which facilitates multi directional transport within suburbs.

· Expansion of metropolitan transport and ticketing systems, for example, Geelong, Warragul, Sunbury, Melton/Bacchus Marsh.

o Rural and intercity rail should be provided with additional infrastructure within the metro area to enable them to travel at speed and suffer no delays or conflicts with metro rail, and vise-versa. This would significantly enhance both modes.

o A super face rail system should be planned for linking Melbourne to Adelaide and Canberra as part of a large national system

Targets

-Short Term

-Long term

o Every person 1km from pt or provided with parking at station (improvement/expansion)

· Alt

o Copenhagen style separated bicycle lanes

o Safety and security for bicycle parking

o Bike hire (short term, see Paris)

o Education about cycles and public transport

o Expand and link cycle paths

· The failure of the riverside bike path to continue at river lever to Dwights falls is oneexample

o Marked lanes; lanes continuing through intersections

o Bike repair vending machines

o Skateboard/scooter

o Prefer smaller cars

o Separate cars and bikes

Targets

o Short term

o Long term

· Car-free city

o Progressive shutting down of access to city streets beginning with section of the "Little" street which would be turned into pedestrian cafe area. For example Flinders Lane Between Swanston and Elizabeth.

o Installation of free city shuttles of trams and free public transport

· 'City Shuttle' tram services between Melbourne University and the War memorial via Swanston street and St Kilda Road and Southern Cross Station and the Museum via Burke street and Nicholson Street. Prelude City Free Travel Zone.

o Free space to be used as public space (public furniture)

o Congestion Charge

· Charge vehicles entering city (and selected surrounding areas) a fee for doing so. Graduate based on vehicle size (and occupants in perfect world) and function. Exemptions for PT and delivery, discounts for charter coaches (maybe differentiate between school charters, etc, and commercial charter?).

o Low-Emission Zone

· Coincide with CC above. Smaller area of city (perhaps actual CAD area) in which an additional charge exists for vehicles that emit more than a certain amount of CO₂, NO, etc. Again, Exemptions for PT and delivery, discounts for charter coaches (maybe differentiate between school charters, etc, and commercial charter?). Possibly also rebate part of CC for hybrid or alternate fuel vehicles.

JockBlakley14 Jun 2008 - 22:13