Perth Integrated Transport Plan, Australia

In August 2000 Transport WA agreed, in collaboration with other agencies, to prepare an Integrated Transport Plan for Perth. The objective of the plan is to provide for and manage future transport demand towards a more balanced transport system by constraining the growth of private car use in peak periods and by giving priority to public transport. The plan seeks to promote cycling, buses and the road network.

The integrated transport plan will examine the major regional road networks, the relationship between the major road networks and the local road network and the pedestrian and cyclist network. It will determine the future demands for, and pattern of, travel in the area. It will also examine how increased travel choice can best be achieved, together with traffic, public facilities and cycling requirements for the area and to determine where improvements in provision are required.

METROPOLITAN TRANSPORT STRATEGY

The Metropolitan Transport Strategy forms the underlying policy for this Integrated Transport Plan. The main objective of the Metropolitan Transport Strategy is to ensure that Perth’s transport system provides affordable and sustainable access for all residents and businesses in the region. The strategy outlines ways to achieve this through a balanced transport system, with emphasis on providing access and transport for people, goods and services, rather than for vehicle movement in its own right.

TARGET TO REDUCE SINGLE OCCUPANCY CAR TRIPS

One target is to reduce the number of single occupancy car trips and increase walking, cycling and public transport trips. These changes require transport infrastructure and services to be planned to maximise benefits and minimise costs and impacts on the community.

ENCOURAGE CYCLING

Almost 80% of all trips in Perth are of less than 3km in length and are therefore potentially suitable as cycling trips. Transport WA and local councils are developing a network of bicycle routes, to allow cycling to become a safer and more attractive alternative to car use. The Perth Bicycle Network is a three-stage programme to create a network of cycle routes throughout Metropolitan Perth. The first stage to deliver 750km of cycle routes at a cost of Australian $13 million has been completed at a cost of AU$25.5 million. The State Government has earmarked AU$20 million for further improvements up to 2004.

IMPROVED FUTURE BUS SERVICES

An important target of the Metropolitan Transport Strategy is to double by 2029 the proportion of trips within the Perth Metropolitan Region made by public transport, from 6% to 12%, as well as increase the proportion of morning peak periods trips into Perth Central Business District from 35% to 65%. Fourteen new bus routes have been defined and planned to supplement the rapid transit network and fill the gaps between the railway catchment areas. These services are intended to be competitive with car travel, so there will be high frequency in the number of buses every hour and more direct commuter services, with fewer stops.

RAIL SYSTEM EXTENSIONS

Perth's metropolitan rail system will double in size when the South West Metropolitan Railway to Mandurah and extensions to the Northern Suburbs Transit System are completed. It is the largest integrated public transport project that Perth has ever seen. Completion of these two projects, in 2006 and 2003 respectively, will bring many benefits to metropolitan residents. An integrated transport system featuring a rapid transit rail spine, feeder bus services and connecting pedestrian and cycle and motor vehicle access will open up the metropolitan region to people who are without transport and encourage those who do to choose other transport alternatives.

It will provide a fast, safe, regular, comfortable and attractive electric passenger rail service.

TRAVELSMART

Travelsmart is a community-based programme that involves local groups and organisations in activities to encourage more walking, cycling, the use of public transport and less driver-only car journeys. Transport WA works with individual households, schools and businesses to create behavioural change in transport habits away from the private car to more sustainable modes. Travelsmart is expected to play a key role in managing transport assets by changing demand and allowing future road building to be deferred. Pilot programmes have been successful in reducing private car driver-only trips by around 14%, with a consequent increase in travel by other modes.