ARCHITECTURE ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT

JULY 2010

SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR ACTIVE TRANSPORT

FOR BOND UNIVERSITY

Engineering LandscapeArchitecture Project Management

ARCHITECTURE ENGINEERING MANAGEMENTWHO AM I?

Richard Vaughan Jones BEng (Hons) RPEQ MIEA AITPM IPWEA IHTPrincipal Traffic & Transport07 5553 5516

13 years UK experience • 7 years at London Councils• 6 years at private consultancy• Working on a range of traffic and transport schemes including, local traffic management schemes,

bikeways, bus lanes, walking routes, Controlled Parking Zones, Streetscape design, Transport Assessments, intersection design and Road Safety Audits

3 years Aus experience• Bikeways, Shared Zones, Road Safety investigations, intersection investigations, Road Safety Audits, DDA

(Disability Discrimination Act) improvement projects, car park designs, road designs and Gold Coast Bikeway Network operational Plan (BNOP) 2008.

June 2010 SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR ACTIVE TRANSPORT

ARCHITECTURE ENGINEERING MANAGEMENTWhat is ‘Active Transport’?

• Active transport is defined as physical activity undertaken as a means of transport and not purely as a form of recreation.

• Active transport generally refers to walking and cycling for travel to and/or from a destination, but may also include other activities such as the incidental activity associated with the use of public transport. (Vic Health)

JULY 2010 SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR ACTIVE TRANSPORT

ARCHITECTURE ENGINEERING MANAGEMENTCYCLING and WALKING

Cycling and Walking has a number of health benefits:• As a low-impact form of physical activity, it appeals to people

who cannot participate in high-impact activities• As a form of active transport and recreation, it enables many

people to combine physical activity with transport and recreation

• There is also evidence that the public generally prefer unstructured forms of physical activity (Hahn & Craythorn, 1994, cited in Sallis et al, 1998) and cycling certainly fits into this category

JULY 2010 SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR ACTIVE TRANSPORT

ARCHITECTURE ENGINEERING MANAGEMENTCYCLING and WALKING

• It appeals to people across the age spectrum, from childhood to adults

• The promotion of ‘lifestyle’ physical activity such as walking and cycling is more cost-effective than promotion of structured exercise programs

• As a form of active transport, cycling contributes to the additional benefits associated with reduced car use (improved air quality, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, reduced noise pollution, improved community liveability and social connectedness).

JULY 2010 SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR ACTIVE TRANSPORT

ARCHITECTURE ENGINEERING MANAGEMENTCYCLING and WALKING

• You feel fit, energetic, strong and healthy. If you've ever suffered from a lack of energy, say after an illness such as glandular fever, you'll know how good it is to have a healthy body. Feeling fit, energetic, strong and healthy makes you feel positive about life.

• Physical activity releases endorphins - these are the body's natural "feel good" chemicals - no wonder getting physical makes you feel good!

• Physical activity reduces stress and tension, making you one relaxed person.

JULY 2010 SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR ACTIVE TRANSPORT

ARCHITECTURE ENGINEERING MANAGEMENTCYCLING and WALKING

• Exercise can improve mental health and reduce depression. Studies have shown that 'green' or outdoor physical activity is best if you can do it.

• Exhilaration - enjoy the thrill of some activities, like climbing a rock wall or BMX racing.

• Social enjoyment, like making new friends, enjoying the fun of a social team game together, or chatting while you walk, play tennis or bike ride together.

• Increased skills - practice means getting better at what you do.

JULY 2010 SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR ACTIVE TRANSPORT

ARCHITECTURE ENGINEERING MANAGEMENTCYCLING and WALKING

• More physical activity means you can eat more without gaining kilos.

• Your muscles become stronger with more physical activity. • You have a better night's sleep when you are regularly active. • You have more energy and feel less tired. • Being healthy means looking your glowing best - this can

increase self-esteem and positive self-image. • You can use strenuous physical activity as an effective way of

reducing your anger.

JULY 2010 SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR ACTIVE TRANSPORT

ARCHITECTURE ENGINEERING MANAGEMENTCYCLING and WALKING

• Any physical activity that involves an impact, eg walking, running, aerobics etc, helps to keep calcium in your bones, keeping them stronger for longer. This will make you stand tall and strong and help prevent osteoporosis when you're older.

• Physical activity means a strong heart and lungs - they'll last longer - and so will you! Your blood pressure and the bad cholesterol are lower, so you'll stay healthy in later years.

• It is free and easy to do

JULY 2010 SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR ACTIVE TRANSPORT

ARCHITECTURE ENGINEERING MANAGEMENTCYCLING LINKS

• Australian Bicycle Councilwww.austroads.com.au/abc/

• Bicycle Federation of Australiawww.bfa.asn.au

• Bicycle NSWwww.bicyclensw.org.au

• BicycleNTwww.mysportonline.com.au

• Bicycle SAwww.bikesa.asn.au

• Bicycle Victoriawww.bv.com.au

• Bikeability Toolkitwww.travelsmart.gov.au/bikeability

JULY 2010 SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR ACTIVE TRANSPORT

• CycleSmartwww.cyclesmart.net

• Cycling Promotion Fundwww.cyclingpromotion.com.au

• Cycling Resource Centrewww.cyclingresourcecentre.org.au

• Cycling south, Tasmaniawww.cyclingsouth.org

• Pedal Power, ACTwww.pedalpower.org.au

• Pedestrian and Bicycle Transport Institute of Australasiawww.pedbiketrans.asn.au

• bikestation SEATTLEwww.bikestation.org/seattle/services.asp

ARCHITECTURE ENGINEERING MANAGEMENTWALKING LINKS

• Pedestrian and Bicycle Transport Institute of Australasiawww.pedbiketrans.asn.au

• Pedestrian Council of Australiawww.walk.com.au

• Walkable communities, United Stateswww.walkinginfo.org

• Walk Safely to School Day - 6 Maywww.walk.com.au/WSTSD01/page.asp

• Australian Capital Territory - Walking School Bus™www.ywca-canberra.org.au/walking_school_bus.htm

• New South Wales - Walking School Bus™www.planning.nsw.gov.au

• Victoria - Walking School Bus™www.vichealth.vic.gov.au

JULY 2010 SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR ACTIVE TRANSPORT

International • International Walk to School Month - October 2008

www.iwalktoschool.orgCanada • Walking and cycling to school tools and resources from

Canada www.goforgreen.ca/asrts/tools_e.html

New Zealand • Walking School Bus

www.pinnacleresearch.co.nzUnited Kingdom • Let's walk to school

www.walktoschool.org.uk• Walking School Bus

www.walkingbus.com and www.geocities.com/transport_and_society/walkingbus.html

ARCHITECTURE ENGINEERING MANAGEMENTSUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT for ACTIVE TRANSPORT?

• What do we need in place to ensure that people can participate in Active Transport?

• Where do they need to be located?

• How can this be achieved?

• Can other benefits come from these initiatives?

JULY 2010 SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR ACTIVE TRANSPORT

ARCHITECTURE ENGINEERING MANAGEMENTSUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT for ACTIVE TRANSPORT?

What do we need in place to ensure that people can participate in Active Transport?

• End trip facilities, such as, bike racks, lockers, showers, laundry, seating, good interchanges.

• On trip facilities, such as, drinking water, seating, shade, well designed and constructed routes.

• DDA Compliant paths and routes.• Good links between activity centers such as Bond Uni / Varsity

Square / Fitness First & Varsity Tavern.

JULY 2010 SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR ACTIVE TRANSPORT

ARCHITECTURE ENGINEERING MANAGEMENTSUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT for ACTIVE TRANSPORT?

Where do they need to be located?

• End trip facilities need to be near as possible to popular destinations, such as, Universities, schools, shopping centre's, business areas, residential blocks.

• On trip facilities should be located at set distances between the end trip locations, especially for those who are walking.

• They need to be easily seen and recognised.

JULY 2010 SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR ACTIVE TRANSPORT

ARCHITECTURE ENGINEERING MANAGEMENTSUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT for ACTIVE TRANSPORT?

How can this be achieved?

• Funding from State government and other bodies

• Can form part of the development application requirements for certain size developments

• Funding from private business who wish to encourage active travel within the workplace

JULY 2010 SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR ACTIVE TRANSPORT

ARCHITECTURE ENGINEERING MANAGEMENTSUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT for ACTIVE TRANSPORT?

Can other benefits come from these initiatives?

• People will be healthier and happier• Can reduce the need for parking on site, therefore increasing

the possibility of expanding on the existing site• Reduction in carbon footprint for the community• Reduction in construction costs• Improved safety due to more activity in the streets.• A reduction in traffic volume and congestion.

JULY 2010 SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR ACTIVE TRANSPORT

ARCHITECTURE ENGINEERING MANAGEMENTTRAFFIC IMPACT ASSESSMENTS

• Council and State Government request TIAs for medium to large developments to ensure that traffic volumes generated by the development does not exceed the capacity on the road network

• This is very limited in terms of Active Transport needs and the effect it has on the end users

• In the UK Transport Assessments are carried out, which also investigates how sustainable the development are in terms of transport.

JULY 2010 SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR ACTIVE TRANSPORT

ARCHITECTURE ENGINEERING MANAGEMENTTRAFFIC IMPACT ASSESSMENT

• Existing traffic and growth• Existing trip generation• Proposed trip generation• Trip distributions• Traffic impact / modelling• Proposed development access

JULY 2010 SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR ACTIVE TRANSPORT

ARCHITECTURE ENGINEERING MANAGEMENTSUSTAINABILITY INVESTIGATION

• Parking requirements• Journeys by road• Public transport opportunities• Cycling (8km isochrone)• Walking (2km isochrone)• Other initiatives, such as car share/pooling, car hire schemes,

walking bus to school etc• Facilities within the walking and cycling distances noted

above, such as schools, shops, eateries, business, recreation, health centre’s etc

JULY 2010 SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR ACTIVE TRANSPORT

ARCHITECTURE ENGINEERING MANAGEMENTWHAT IS THE EASY SOLUTION?

• Need to watch people’s desire lines – where are they going?• Design facilities to accommodate these routes – what are your

limitations?• Ensure that difficult links are tackled – otherwise it will not be

well utilised.• Safer environment – more people = increased safety• Education – especially the young, as they will grow up with a

better and healthier way to live in the community.

JULY 2010 SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR ACTIVE TRANSPORT

ARCHITECTURE ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT

THANK YOUAny questions?

JULY 2010 SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR ACTIVE TRANSPORT