Transport planning resources

Resources to help transport planners, policy makers or an industry partners plan integrated and accessible transport solutions.

The state of NSW has a large and complex transport system. One of the key challenges is the integration of the different modes of transport, while ensuring the delivery of safe, reliable and efficient services that align with various policies, plans and statutory requirements.  

We work closely with other NSW Government agencies, the Greater Sydney Commission, local councils, the Commonwealth and independent advisory bodies to ensure we are providing the best, most effective transport options. 

If you are a transport planner, policy maker or an industry partner, these resources will help you plan integrated, accessible and effective transport solutions and transport infrastructure. 

Guidelines for the Planning of Bus Layover Parking

The Guidelines for the Planning of Bus Layover Parking provide guidance to planners, operators, developers and traffic engineers across New South Wales to support the design and location of layovers. The guidelines address the types of layover, design and location considerations and baseline information for calculating costs associated with layover. The guidelines are intended for use by government agencies, local government, road authorities, as well as transport operators and developers and are for use across all of New South Wales.

Integrated public transport service planning guidelines

The Integrated Public Transport Service Planning Guidelines support improvements to bus, ferry, light rail and train services across NSW over the short to medium term (up to ten years).

The guidelines align with the actions of the NSW Long Term Transport Master Plan, individual modal delivery plans for bus, ferry, light rail and train and the Regional Transport Plans.

Guidelines for Public Transport Capable Infrastructure in Greenfield Sites

The Guidelines for Public Transport Capable Infrastructure in Greenfield Sites have been developed for use by planners and developers. The guidelines address both the road network design and road infrastructure requirements. The guidelines support good road design in greenfield sites so that public transport can be successfully delivered.

Guidelines for External and Developer-led Works Affecting Transport Assets

The Guidelines for External and Developer-led Works Affecting Transport Assets facilitate the proposal, assessment and management of external or developer proposed works that impact the configuration or performance of Transport Asset. The guidelines are intended to provide high level guidance to TfNSW and external parties on how planning and development activities might affect TfNSW's legislative safety obligations.

Growing Sydney

A Plan for Growing Sydney, released in December 2014, is the NSW Government’s plan for the future of the Sydney Metropolitan Area over the next 20 years. The Plan provides key directions and actions to guide Sydney’s productivity, environmental management, and liveability – including the delivery of housing, employment, infrastructure and open space.

Planning transport for people living with a disability 

The Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport and accompanying guidelines, under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, set out formal requirements for accessibility to public transport in Australia. The standards set out specific requirements for the accessibility of public transport and provide transport operators with detailed information about disability access issues, including such things as access paths, manoeuvring areas, ramps and boarding devices. 

The Disability Action Plan 2018-2022 sets out the practical application of the disability standards for NSW Government transport agencies. The plan outlines:

  • Legal responsibilities of transport agencies guiding principles for integrated accessible transport services
  • Progress to date and future strategies for the provision of accessible transport services.
  • Responsibility for development of disability action plans for private operators of public transport services will rest with individual operators. However, to ensure a consistent and integrated approach to service provision, Transport for NSW can assist private operators to develop complementary disability action plans.

Guidelines for directional tactile ground surface indicators

Tactile ground surface indicators (TGSIs) are an important tool for people with vision impairment. Directional TGSIs provide directional orientation to help navigate through an area, to an object or to a service such as a bus stop boarding point. 

The Principles and guidance for good design: Directional tactile ground surface indicators on Sydney Metro (PDF, 3.3 MB) has been developed in collaboration with Guide Dogs NSW/ACT and Transport for NSW.

The guideline aims to inform infrastructure design and delivery teams on best practice principles and key considerations when developing directional TGSI layout plans in transport precincts and provides practical examples. Whilst specifically developed for Sydney Metro, the principles contained in the guideline can be applied in all transport precincts.