Traffic Signals Pedestrian Facilities Upgrades – Townwide
- Project typePedestrian Improvement
- Project scheduleOngoing - Initiation and Feasibility Stage
There are 16 signalised intersections within the Town. The responsibility of modifications and improvements to these signalised intersections falls to the Town. Main Roads Western Australia (MRWA) are responsible for the approval of any such requests to modify these assets.
The costs and management associated with the design and construction of traffic signals are borne by the Town. Given the level of traffic modelling required, along with the two-year MRWA approval timeframes, upgrades are often cost prohibitive for the Town.
There are five signalised intersections in the Town without a pedestrian aspect: the ‘Little Green Man’
- Cambridge St – Harborne St (LM00131): Commissioned -1972
- Salvado Rd – Jersey St (LM211): Commissioned - 1975
- Cambridge St – Selby St (LM270): Commissioned - 1977
- The Boulevard – Selby St (LM346): Commissioned - 1980
- Salvado Rd – Harborne St (LM427): Commissioned - 1984
This type of pedestrian crossing still exists commonly throughout Metropolitan Perth. MRWA no longer support new crossing facilities without the ‘little green man’. These intersections will be gradually upgraded with the availability of funding.
MRWA has offered to provide modelling services to assist the Town in upgrading these as an ongoing program.
Salvado Road and Jersey Street
In early 2022, the Town completed data collection for the Jersey and Salvado Road signals for MRWA to consider the upgrade of these pedestrian crossing facilities. MRWA has modelled the addition of a “little green man” to provide some protection for pedestrians from turning vehicles.
Upon activation of the little green man, pedestrians will be given a “head start” to cross. This is achieved by holding vehicle movements for five seconds. When activated, the “green man” will illuminate, after five seconds vehicles will be released.
MRWA acknowledges this option does not align with their guidelines which can often require a full upgrade to the signals infrastructure. However, they recognise this treatment does give greater pedestrian protection than currently exists. When compared to the default MRWA upgrade treatment, this option is inexpensive and provides improved pedestrian protection.
Selby Street - The Boulevard & Cambridge Street's
In 2023, the Town commissioned a review of the both the Selby Street - Cambridge Street signals and Selby Street – The Boulevard. The aim of this review was to identify both the feasibility and the costs to upgrade crossing facilities at these locations. This review has identified two options which would facilitate pedestrian protection at these locations.
Option 1: Signal arrangement upgrade to include right turn arrows at Selby and Cambridge Street. This involves minor modifications to the raised median to allow trucks to turn at the same time.
At the Selby Street – The Boulevard this will involve a new turn lane (give way) and the introduction of a turn arrow for left turning northbound and southbound movements respectfully.
Option 2: This approach utilises the existing phasing arrangement and introduces a new pedestrian “head start” phase by activating the ‘little green man’ and holding vehicles for five seconds to allow time to cross prior to changing to green.
Both options will require a departures from MRWA technical policy.
Current Status
The Town’s Traffic consultants are preparing the final traffic model for MRWA to consider when conducting approvals. The model is expected to be completed in October 2023.
NEXT STEPS
A report is expected to be presented to Council for consideration in late 2023.