Background and Purpose

Roads ACT has investigated the potential of 40km/h area

zones around shopping centres and community facilities

in the ACT to improve levels of safety especially for cy-

clists and pedestrians. A 10km/h decrease in speed can

reduce the risk of death from approximately 80% (50km/

h) to 30% (40km/h) which is a 50% reduction in the risk of

death for pedestrian and cyclists.

40km/h Area Zones

Woden Town Centre

Roads ACT is introducing a trial 40km/h area zone in Woden town centre to improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists

and other road users. The trial will run from 1 August 2011 to 31 January 2012 and operate on a full time basis

(24/7). Evaluation of the 40km/h area zone will occur at the completion of the trial to determine suitability of the

boundaries, hours of operation, engineering works and communication material.

Woden Town Centre Traders Update JUNE 2011

The Trial

A 40km/h area zone is to be introduced on a trial

basis within parts of Woden where there are high

levels of pedestrian activity throughout the day.

The trial will occur over a 6 month period, XX to XX,

and be accompanied by signage and temporary

traffic calming treatments. The aim is to create a self-

enforcing 40km/h area zone.

The trial will operate on a full time basis, ensuring

increased road safety benefits for all road users. The

trial and associated construction activity will have

little or no impact on local businesses.

Benefits

• Increased levels of safety for pedestrians, cyclists and

car users alike

• Greater levels of cycling / walking uptake

• Creation of more sustainable and liveable local areas Risk of death to a pedestrian or cyclist as a function of impact speed.

Source: Anderson R, McLean A, Farmer M, Lee B, & Brooks C. (1997).

Precinct Boundaries

The factors that influenced the boundary for the pilot 40km/h area zone included:

• pedestrian and cyclist counts (minimum 60 per hour)

• speed surveys

• analysis of pedestrian and cyclist crash data within the town centre.

Precinct Map

For further information please contact:

www.tams.act.gov.au

40km/h trial zone for Woden town centre

Next Steps

There will be opportunities to provide feedback at the completion of the trial as part of the evaluation process.

Objectives of the evaluation process are to:

• Determine if speeds are reduced in the trial area

• Determine if the trial results in increases in pedestrian and/or cyclist numbers

• Determine if a reduced speed limit is supported by stakeholders

• Assess the acceptance of details of the 40 km/h zones, including boundaries, the hours of operation, and

engineering works

• Establish whether the communication process was considered appropriate

• Identify any undesirable impacts of the trial

If successful, the 40km/h area zone would be made permanent in the Woden Town Centre and 40km/h area

zones may be introduced in other major shopping centres