Tackling congestion with technology – Right Move Perth
A series of major transformational infrastructure projects such as Perth City Link and Elizabeth Quay, as well as other CBD upgrades, have caused some disruption in metropolitan Perth. Coupled with the highest population growth in Australia, congestion pressures are beginning to show on the metropolitan transport network.
A free smartphone app – Right Move Perth – was launched in January 2014 to assist Perth commuters ‘know before you go’ when moving through metropolitan Perth. The app provides real-time information on traffic, congestion, roadworks, events and incidents.
Drawing directly from the MRWA and PTA ‘disruptions feeds’, Right Move Perth provides real-time information on conditions that can impact a commuter’s journey in metropolitan Perth.
Right Move Perth is proving an essential tool for all commuters – with more than 30,000 app downloads.
The app was developed for iOS (Apple) and Android mobile devices in six months by harnessing data already available through the PTA and MRWA, but not previously accessible by the public. In project managing the app, DoT kept the focus on ensuring it was simple and easy to use for people on the go.
Additional features in staged building phases will include parking data drawn from the City of Perth to allow motorists to check car park capacities before they travel to the city.
Perth’s rapid population growth has not only placed increased pressure on moving people, but also moving freight – as both compete for limited road space. To keep up with demand for interstate and international goods, major freight nodes at Fremantle Port’s Inner and Outer Harbour facilities and the Kewdale/Forrestfield rail terminals will need to handle at least double the current freight movements in the next 20 years.
To allow the network to cope with this growth, DoT continued to develop the Perth Freight Transport Network Plan during 2013/14. The plan, formerly known as the Metropolitan Freight and Intermodal Network Plan, focuses on five key areas:
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a strategy for metropolitan-wide road freight network development that defines strategic freight corridors of the future, including the heavy vehicle access regime and road investment priorities, to support network capacity to 2031;
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integrated infrastructure and non-infrastructure solutions to move more of Perth’s future freight task by rail;
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planning and investment priorities to increase the capacity, geographic reach and viability of Perth’s intermodal terminal network;
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metropolitan port growth plans, including transition arrangements for Fremantle inner and outer harbours; and
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integrated land use and transport planning measures to protect freight transport infrastructure and manage freight impacts on the community.
All five aspects of the plan were progressed throughout the year.
DoT will submit a draft plan to the State Government for consideration in the first quarter of 2014/15. If endorsed by the State Government, DoT will undertake consultation with stakeholders and the wider community throughout 2014/15.
DoT will also continue developing a submission to the Western Australian Planning Commission on measures to strengthen protection of the rail and road network from urban encroachment and planning for intermodal terminal facilities at Latitude 32 and Bullsbrook.
Implementing the Western Australian Regional Freight Transport Network Plan
The Western Australian Freight Transport Network Plan, released in May 2013, articulates the State Government’s planning, policy and project priorities to ensure the regional transport network continues to perform effectively.
DoT is leading the implementation of the plan and, in 2013/14, established governance and program management systems to ensure projects delivered by other agencies and external providers are regularly monitored and evaluated. The arrangements also support further investment planning by allowing DoT to identify areas where additional project support or influence could enable more effective network delivery.
The data gathered through these systems is currently being collated and DoT intends to publish an annual report card in late 2014 detailing the progress of projects being delivered under the plan.
DoT continued throughout 2013/14 to provide input for the development of maps of key freight routes as part of the Commonwealth Government’s National Land Freight Strategy. This strategy aims to improve the efficiency of freight movements across infrastructure networks, minimise the negative impacts associated with such freight movements and influence policy decisions.
The mapping of key freight routes, precincts and terminals for freight in each jurisdiction will assist government and industry to focus on the measures needed to protect, develop and move freight.
The Transport portfolio identified and provided the necessary information for the urban and regional maps of WA to be included in the strategy and DoT coordinated comment across the portfolio on various iterations of the maps.
Perth Airport and major regional airports have experienced rapid growth in passenger and aircraft movements during the past decade as a result of resources industry activity and high levels of economic and population growth. This has placed extraordinary demands on the development of airport infrastructure around the State and has led to widespread delays and congestion.
To address this, DoT and key government agencies and industry organisations have developed the first Western Australian State Aviation Strategy to:
support the economic and social development of WA through the provision of safe, affordable, efficient and effective aviation services and infrastructure; and
provide a sound framework for policy-setting and future planning and investment in Western Australian international and domestic air services and airport infrastructure.
The draft strategy was released by the State Government for public comment in September 2013. More than 60 submissions from stakeholders and the wider community were made to DoT during the three-month public consultation period.
DoT incorporated this feedback into the final strategy, scheduled for completion and submission to the State Government for consideration in the first half of 2014/15.
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