Better for trams

We’d all like to see trams moving fast, and offering an attractive, convenient way to get around. The problem is that they’re held up by traffic. Other countries have figured out how to fix that, by using smart traffic lights:

Support from Daniel Bowen

Priority for trams at signalised intersections is supported by Daniel Bowen:

Trams sharing a lane with cars

If trams have to share a lane with cars, then we can speed up trams by changing to the ‘Melbourne Shopping Street’ reference design, where motorists are required to drive behind trams, instead of overtaking them and then slowing them down. As long as overall traffic volumes are kept below a threshold, like at non-peak-hour times, trams can travel at acceptable speeds, and so can the drivers behind them.

Safer tram stops

People shouldn’t be put at risk of being struck by a motor vehicle as they embark or disembark a tram. On Yarra’s shopping streets, the existing ‘step-up’ or ‘drive-over’ tram stops should be changed to ‘bike-over’ tram stops, which are much lower risk. Under Safe System, being struck by a person on a bicycle is not classed as imposing a risk of serious injury or death, because the kinetic energy of a person on a bicycle is below the critical threshold. More information is on our page on protected public transport stops.

Conclusion

Yarra’s streets can be better for trams if:

• smart traffic lights clear intersections as trams approach
• in mixed traffic, motorists are required to drive behind trams, instead of overtaking them and then slowing them down
• demand responsive driving charges are used to reduce traffic volumes on lanes shared with trams
• tram stops are changed from ‘step-up’ or ‘drive-over’ to ‘bike-over and level-access‘