Move Safe Brisbane - Pedestrian Safety Review

On Wednesday 4 September 2019, Council reduced the speed limit at the following locations:

• Beaudesert Road, Moorooka (from Durack Street to Dora Street - also mentioned under outcome 7 for Senior Citizens safety zones), from 60 km/h to 50 km/h
• Station Road, Indooroopilly (from Musgrave Road to Coonan Street), from 50 km/h to 40 km/h.

On Thursday 5 September 2019, Council reduced the speed limit at the following locations:

• Riding Road, Hawthorne (from Wynnum Road to Lytton Road), from 60 km/ to 50 km/h
• Flinders Parade, Sandgate (from Second Avenue to Ninth Avenue), from 50 km/h to 40 km/h.

On Friday 14 February 2020, Council reduced the speed limit from 50 km/h to 40 km/h in the Kelvin Grove Urban Village at the following locations:

• Blamey Street, between Kelvin Grove Road and Victoria Park Road
• Carraway Street, between Musk Avenue and Victoria Park Road
• Musk Avenue, between Kelvin Grove Road and Victoria Park Road
• Ramsgate Street, from Blamey Street to termination.

On Friday 28 February 2020, Council reduced the speed limit from 60 km/h to 50 km/h in West End at Montague Road, between Drake Street and Vulture Street.

On Friday 3 July 2020, Council reduced the speed limit from 60 km/h to 50 km/h in West End at Montague Road, between Jane Street and the end of the road.

Changes to the speed limits at these locations followed the standard speed limit review process and were endorsed by the Speed Management Committee which includes representatives from TMR, QPS and Council.

Council also investigated speed limit reductions on Lutwyche Road at Lutwyche and Vulture Street at West End. Following a formal investigation, a speed limit reduction will not be introduced at these locations due to traffic conditions recorded during the investigation. The investigations undertaken by Council followed the standard speed limit review process.

Council has investigated pedestrian protection measures at the following traffic signals:

1. Cavendish Road and Old Cleveland Road, Coorparoo (near Coorparoo State School)
2. Mains Road, Sunnybank (seven signalised intersections along Mains Road)
3. George Street right turn into Elizabeth Street, Brisbane City
4. Albert Street double right turn into Elizabeth Street, Brisbane City
5. Elizabeth Street double left turn into Creek Street, Brisbane City
6. Creek Street double left turn into Ann Street, Brisbane City
7. Edward Street double right turn into Ann Street, Brisbane City
8. Ann Street right turn into George Street, Brisbane City
9. Edward Street left turn into Elizabeth Street, Brisbane City.

Pedestrian protection means traffic signals are revised to provide pedestrians with more time to safely cross the road before a vehicle can turn across their path. Upgrades to fourteen of these traffic signals have been completed, with upgrades to Ann Street and Creek Street currently under construction.

Further improvement opportunities at the Edward Street double left turn into Ann Street traffic signals has been identified and listed for future funding consideration.

As part of these investigations, Council installed a scramble crossing at the intersection of Albert Street and Elizabeth Street, Brisbane City on 23 January 2020. Scramble crossings allow pedestrians to cross in any direction at one time and help to improve safety by removing conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians.

Council developed a prioritised list of potential signal phase alteration projects following further review of the Move Safe Brisbane data, previous correspondence and current traffic signal phasing plans. Since June 2019, Council has implemented improvements at more than 26 intersections across Brisbane.

Council has conducted slip lane reviews to identify safety improvements at the following locations:

1.   Ann Street and Creek Street intersection, Brisbane City
2.   Mains Road and McCullough Street intersection, Sunnybank
3.   Old Cleveland Road and Harries Road intersection, Coorparoo
4.   Bridge Street and Honour Avenue intersection, Chelmer
5.   Logan Road and Chatsworth Road intersection, Greenslopes
6.   Bowen Bridge Road and Butterfield Street intersection, Herston
7.   Vulture Street, Stanley Street and Dock Street intersection, South Brisbane
8.   Montpelier Road, Markwell Road and Abbotsford Road intersection, Bowen Hills
9.   Stanley Street and Vulture Street intersection, Woolloongabba
10.   Ann Street and James Street intersection, Fortitude Valley.

Investigations have been finalised at eight of these locations, with planning completed that will guide future upgrade works when budget becomes available. Investigations at the Ann Street and James Street intersection, and the Bridge Street and Honour Avenue intersection are pending final traffic surveys, which will be completed this financial year.

Construction to improve slip lane safety at the intersection of Ann Street and Creek Street is underway.

Council has conducted road safety reviews at the following locations:

1. Ipswich Road, Annerley 
2. Boundary Street, West End.

As a result, Council has identified a number of recommendations for investigation to improve pedestrian safety. An action plan has been developed and Council has explored the following recommendations:

• pedestrian warning signage improvements (Boundary Street)
• road lighting improvements (Ipswich Road)
• review of footpath conditions (Ipswich Road)
• speed limit review (Ipswich Road)
• future road upgrade planning at crossing points (both locations).

Council is also continuing to working with the QPS Forensic Crash Unit to improve investigations at crash locations.

Council has investigated possible improvements at the following locations with existing zebra crossings:

1. Orange Grove Road, Salisbury
2. Logan Road, Woolloongabba
3. Logan Road, Holland Park West
4. Gladstone Road, Highgate Hill.

Improvement options have been identified to guide future road upgrades, pending budget availability. Interim measures have been implemented to improve pedestrian warning signage at all locations.

Council has investigated Senior Citizens’ Safety Zones at the following locations:

1. Beaudesert Road, Moorooka
2. Old Cleveland Road, Stones Corner.

At both locations, speed limits have been reduced to allow road users more time to make safer decisions. Signal phase timings and pedestrian protection have also been reviewed to ensure pedestrians have adequate time to safely cross the intersections.

Following on from this outcome, Council is delivering the Safer Paths for Seniors program to help Brisbane's senior citizens travel safely around our city. 

The program will build new pathways, widen existing pathways and complete missing sections of footpaths in areas and suburbs commonly accessed by our senior citizens. Additionally, the program will explore opportunities for safety improvements at pedestrian crossings and traffic signals.

1. Council has developed a Move Safe Plan template to be used by high-volume pedestrian destinations, such as universities, hospitals and retirement villages. The template is also suitable for destinations where users may have cognitive or physical impairment. Council has been working with hospitals since early 2019 to develop Move Safe Plans for their facilities.
2. Council will also continue to conduct pedestrian safety reviews at high-volume pedestrian destinations in response to concerns raised by the community or government officers as part of ongoing operational activities.

Council will continue to work with QPS to design a coordinated behavioural change and enforcement approach to improve pedestrian safety across Brisbane. Council will also consult with TMR to ensure coordination of messaging and campaigns where possible. 

1. Council hosted Move Safe Brisbane information stalls at Sunnybank Plaza to distribute pedestrian safety materials to culturally and linguistically diverse communities on the following dates:
   • Thursday 29 August 2019, 5-7pm
   • Saturday 31 August 2019, 11am-1pm
   • Sunday 1 September 2019, 11am-1pm.
2. Council hosted a Move Safe Brisbane information stall at the Lord Mayor's International Student Friendship Ceremony at Brisbane City Hall on Wednesday 30 October 2019.

Council will continue to identify opportunities to attend existing community meetings to engage with culturally and linguistically diverse community members about road and pedestrian safety as part of ongoing operational activities.