Scramble crossings could be here to stay at four intersections across the Hobart CBD, with a recent trial finding that a majority of them had ‘very little’ impact on traffic outside of peak times.
Following a several-month-long data collection phase, council officers have now recommended in a new report to councillors that the crossings be made permanent by as early as the end of the month.
“It is proposed that the communication around the project will move away from the ‘trial’ language used to date, to an ongoing or normal operational status, commencing on 30 January 2024,” a council document reads.
According to council data, the “normal operation of the City” remained largely unaffected during the trial.
“Whilst travel times on Elizabeth Street and Murray Street increased slightly for some vehicle trips at peak times, traffic volumes also continued to grow through the pre-Christmas period,” the document continues.
The trial findings revealed “no observable traffic impacts” at the Collins Street intersections with Elizabeth and Murray streets, with only minor curb adjustments needed to create a complete scramble crossing arrangement.
The Liverpool/Elizabeth Street crossing did have “some traffic impacts”, but it provided “good pedestrian safety benefits”, while the Liverpool/Murray street crossing had “traffic impacts during peak times”.
“[These were] exacerbated by approach lane utilisation and right turn give way to pedestrians when not required. [They were] also exacerbated by relatively low use of city bypass alternatives.”
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Other findings included an increase in red light runners at both Murray Street crossings and pedestrians crossing on a red signal at the Liverpool/Elizabeth Street crossing as traffic was turning away from them.
Councillors are set to vote next Monday on a recommendation to “endorse the ongoing collaboration” with State Growth in transitioning the trial to a permanent model and securing funding for “several minor capital works” aimed at upgrading intersections to ensure they are “fully compliant ‘scramble’ crossings”.
An awareness campaign is also on the cards that will ‘tout the benefits’ of the pedestrian-focused crossings and ‘educate drivers on expectations’ when navigating the Hobart CBD.
