Print

Safer Travel Speeds In Shared Urban Spaces Funding Program

The Government launched the Safer Travel Speeds in Shared Urban Spaces Funding Program in May 2008.  It is an initiative aimed at reducing vehicle speeds in busy, shared urban spaces. 

This Program is part of the Safer Travel Speed strategic direction of the Tasmanian Road Safety Strategy 2007-2016.  In shared spaces, where there is increased activity, there is a potential for conflict between motor vehicles and other road users.  Lower travel speeds provide protection for vulnerable road users including children, pedestrians and cyclists. Traffic calming treatments are an effective way of reducing travel speeds in urban areas.

The key objectives of the dollar for dollar funding program are to:

·         reduce conflict between vulnerable road users and motor vehicles by reducing speeds in shared spaces;

·         increase the safety of all road users;

·         improve the quality of the road environment for all users; and

·         enhance safety in towns and shared urban spaces.

The State Government has allocated $2 million, from the Road Safety Levy, over the four-year period 2008-2011 for this Program.  A total of $500,000 is available for projects for the 2009-10 financial year.  Funding will be provided on a dollar for dollar basis for Local Government Councils to undertake traffic calming treatments in shared urban spaces such as town centres and shopping precincts.

It is a requirement of funding that projects are completed within the financial year in which they commence.  For example projects which commence in July 2009 must be completed by the end of June 2010.

There were 14 funding applications made, from eight different Councils, during the first year of the Program.  Six different Councils were successful in their application for funding for the 2008-09 financial year.

Successful projects include a range of traffic calming and speed management measures, including:

  • Threshold treatments;
  • Pedestrian crossings;
  • Road narrowing;
  • Roundabouts;
  • Delineation;
  • Kerb intrusions; and
  • Median islands.

Further details of these projects will be provided once they have been formally completed (at the end of the 2008-09 financial year).

For further information please see the following handouts:

Submissions from Councils seeking funding through the Program will be invited once a year.  The closing date for funding submissions for this year is Friday, 01 May 2009.

A copy of the application form is available below: