Implementation Review of the Road User Space Allocation Policy
Project overview
The Road User Space Allocation Policy is a Transport for NSW Corporate Policy (the policy) released in 2021 that applies to all Transport staff involved in the planning, design, scheme approval, building, management or operation of roads in NSW.
A review of the policy was undertaken in late 2023 to evaluate how it had been implemented since its publication and to provide recommendations on strengthening the policy as part of road space allocation decisions by Transport across NSW. A review report was provided to the three Transport Ministers.
In late 2023, Transport undertook a review of the Road User Space Allocation Policy. This involved reviewing the implementation of the policy across the organisation, with the aim of strengthening the policy as part of road space allocation decisions by Transport across NSW.
The review found that the policy (and supporting procedure) are generally well-supported and there is a strong level of support for the intent and principles of the policy. The review also presented a total of 11 recommendations which respond to 13 key findings of the review.
A review report was provided to the three Transport Ministers. The Minister for Transport, Minister for Roads, and Minister for Regional Transport and Roads have endorsed the review report and its 11 recommendations, with the aim of strengthening the policy.
Transport for NSW will now undertake the implementation of the recommendations.
For further information, please refer to the full RUSA Implementation Review Report (PDF, 1.56 MB).
Project information
Background
The Road User Space Allocation Policy (the policy) was released in early 2021. The aim of the policy is to ensure Transport can deliver on the safe and equitable allocation of space on roads and streets. A supporting Road User Space Allocation Procedure (the procedure) was also developed by Transport in late 2021.
The policy was developed to support the NSW Movement and Place Framework and operationalise the consideration of movement and place outcomes. The policy aims to ensure physical and temporal road space is allocated safely and equitably to support the movement of people and goods and place objectives.
The policy and procedure applies to the entirety of the public road reserve from boundary to boundary on proposed and existing classified roads. It applies to roads in urban areas in regional and metropolitan NSW except for motorways.
This policy applies to anyone in Transport involved in the planning, design, scheme approval, building, management or operation of roads in NSW when reviewing traffic management arrangements, extending existing roads and/or developing new roads.
By implementing the policy, Transport ensures the allocation of road user space:
- is a deliberate exercise that considers the place, function and movement requirements of roads
- achieves the strategic intent and outcomes as set out in statewide, metropolitan and regional strategies and plans
- achieves the movement and place vision of a corridor or network
- considers the limited amount of space available to accommodate competing user needs
- can be adjusted to respond to specific circumstances.
These objectives can be achieved by:
- Physical allocation: The physical road user infrastructure of the road, such as kerbs, medians, lane delineation and surface treatments. This includes both permanent and temporary treatments
- Temporal allocation: Optimising how space is allocated throughout the day, week or year. This includes the dynamic control of space, access, level of priority, speed and kerbside use through signage, signals, and other technology.
Road User Space Allocation Policy [2021 version - currently being updated (PDF, 431.45 KB)]
Road User Space Allocation Procedure [2021 version - currently being updated] (PDF, 1.65 MB)
Implementation Review Report
Transport regularly reviews its corporate policies and procedures to monitor compliance and understand the impacts. It also reviews its corporate policies to ensure they are still current and reflect the objectives of the organisation and the Government.
A review of the policy was undertaken in late 2023, with the purpose of the review was to provide recommendations on:
- What is needed to consistently deliver better road space allocation outcomes?
- How can road user space allocation be better considered and assured in major projects, and road network operations?
- What is required to ensure internal practices support better road space allocation for our communities?
- Whether the Road User Space Allocation Policy (and/or the supporting Road User Space Allocation Procedure) needs to be strengthened and how?
The Minister for Transport, Minister for Roads, and Minister for Regional Transport and Roads have since endorsed the review and its 11 recommendations, with the aim of strengthening the policy as part of road space allocation decisions by Transport across NSW. Transport for NSW will report back to the Ministers on progress of the recommendations.
The review found the implementation of the policy has been limited by a wide range of barriers.
While acknowledging there are limitations on what can be achieved through a single corporate policy, a total of 11 actionable recommendations were identified which respond to the key findings. The recommendations apply to many areas of Transport including governance, processes, legislation, funding and guidance. The key recommendations of the review include:
- Updating the policy and supporting procedure
- Staff training and capability development
- Performance indicators and tools to support the policy
- Stronger alignment between the policy and assurance reviews
- Review and revise organisation and governance arrangements to embed the policy
- Review technical guidance, standards and warrants relating to road space allocation
- Review existing programs in terms of alignment to the policy.
For further information, please refer to the full RUSA Implementation Review Report (PDF, 1.56 MB)