Macroscopic speed and safety evaluation of Shared Spaces in NSW

Continued research designed to support shared space design concepts and applications in NSW, delivered in partnership with the University of Technology Sydney.

Artist impression

Background

To support Transport for NSW (Transport) vision to “create vibrant, productive, liveable and sustainable places that support community health, safety and wellbeing”, Transport partnered with the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) on a multi-staged research program.

New research

The next stage of research in this research program will involve a high-level speed and safety analysis of the road network in relation to shared space locations.

Road networks offer both movement and place functionalities. Until recently, their primary purpose was to ensure that users could safely and efficiently travel between origins and destinations.

However, as road infrastructure continues to consume dwindling land available for communities, their role as places for people which foster social interaction and active forms of mobility (cycling and walking) is increasing in importance.

Shared spaces aim to equalise priority across travel modes to reduce the dominance of private vehicles, thus encouraging active modes of transport and reclaiming roads and streets as spaces for people and the community to walk and gather. Transport continues to investigate further opportunities to enhance place in the context of road infrastructure.

Objectives

This stage of research will:

  • Explore currently available data (crowdsourced and other sources) in combination with field surveys to gather objective and subjective speed and safety data.
  • Conduct statistical and spatial analysis to understand opportunities for changes in speed zoning and potential for development (or enhancement) of shared spaces.

This will provide a high-level understanding of the effectiveness of shared space implementations and serve as guidance for future strategic planning of shared road infrastructure.

This research is being delivered in partnership with iMOVE CRC and supported by the Cooperative Research Centres program, an Australian Government initiative.

Further information about previous research on Shared Spaces can be found here.