Safe System assessment of a shopping street

Safe System is a core part of Australia’s National Road Safety Strategy 2011–2020 and Victoria’s 2013-2022 Victorian Road Safety Strategy. 

In Victoria, all new major road projects must have a Safe System assessment. I conducted a Safe System assessment of a typical tram-based shopping street in Melbourne, comparing the existing conditions with various design treatments, including the ā€˜Melbourne Shopping Street’ reference design:

The assessment concluded that the ā€˜Melbourne Shopping Street’ reference design is design treatment best aligned with Safe System, and offers superior outcomes for the safety of people using the tram, walking or cycling.

Image credit: Streetmix and Streets Alive Yarra

The assessment recommends that the State Government fund the upgrade of Melbourne’s 20 metre wide tram-based shopping streets to align with Safe System and the ā€˜Melbourne Shopping Street’ reference design.

Originally published on 30th January 2019 as an article on LinkedIn.