Impact of speed reduction
How will the trial work?
Trial location map
Community benefits
Community involvement
Project information sheet (2 page PDF 212 KB)
Main Roads is introducing a variable speed zone along Beaufort Street, Mount Lawley effective 4 August 2009.
The initiative is a trial to improve safety for pedestrians and other road users by lowering travel speeds from 60 km/h to 40 km/h during peak periods of pedestrian activity. This section of Beaufort Street is an area of high pedestrian traffic and carries around 40,000 vehicles per day. It incorporates local businesses, a hotel, shopping centre precinct, on street parking and bus bays on both sides of the road in several locations.
To progress the project, Main Roads established a Stakeholder Reference Group in October 2008, which included representatives of the Beaufort Street Network, the Town of Vincent, the Public Transport Authority, WA Police, Main Roads, the local community and local businesses. The group has met several times and supports the trial as a key safety initiative.
A total of 14 pedestrians have been hit by vehicles along Beaufort Street from Chatsworth Road to Walcott Street which is much higher than the metropolitan road network average. The majority of vehicle speeds recorded in the area range 39 km/h to 63 km/h, which means the overall average speed along the proposed trial section is 54 km/h.
In determining a solution to the pedestrian safety issue, Main Roads undertook significant research throughout the world. One of the key findings of this research was from Monash University (2005), which indicated that:
- Pedestrian crashes in high activity/commercial centres are a problem that needs addressing, but not many effective solutions have been found.
- A key alternative is achieving more moderate vehicle speeds, as excessive speed is a key factor in the incidence and severity of pedestrian crashes.
- Small differences in travel speed can result in large differences in death and serious injury risk. Reductions of 10 km/h in average vehicle speeds over the full length of a treatment survey site were associated with estimated reductions of 2-3 per cent in fatal pedestrian crashes and of 15 per cent in serious injury pedestrian crashes. (Source: Monash University, 2005)
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Variable speed signs will be installed at various places on Beaufort Street from Lincoln Street through to Walcott Street. An additional sign will be installed (double signs for a speed zone change) when motorists turn from Walcott into Beaufort Street (city bound).
When entering the area from adjoining roads, motorists will see electronic speed signs displaying the speed limit giving them warning of the need to slow down.
The existing 60 km/h static signs will be removed.
Signs similar to the electronic school zone signs will display a 40 km/h limit during peak pedestrian periods. The signs will operate from:
- Sunday to Thursday: 7.30 am - 10.00 pm AND Friday and Saturday: 7.30 am - 1.00 am.
- Outside these times, the existing 60 km/h limit will be displayed on the signs and apply.
By having a variable speed limit, safety for pedestrians and road users can be increased during peak times. When there are fewer vehicles and pedestrians, the existing 60 km/h limit applies. It is anticipated that the trial will be conducted for 18 months to allow the full impact of the works to be assessed with an 'after' study. At the completion of the after study, an appropriate speed limit will be implemented.
The orange markers in this map indicate where speed signs will be located.
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The trial is expected to benefit various road users through:
- Reducing vehicle travel speeds;
- Increasing safety for pedestrians and cyclists using and crossing the road through speed reduction; and
- Reducing the likelihood and severity of crashes.
As the trial is approximately 800m in length, travel times are impacted only slightly (less than 30 seconds).
How can I be involved?
We encourage local road users and motorists to adhere to the speed limits. Comments and feedback about the trial are welcome and can be directed to enquiries@mainroads.wa.gov.au or by calling one of our Customer Information Officers on 138 138.
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