Stage 4 – Prepare action program

This stage looks at how to prepare an action program to support delivery of the walking network plan and project vision. The program focuses on what could be implemented on the ground if and when funding becomes available or as part of the delivery of future projects.

Allow enough time to investigate works options and feasibility. Record proposed actions using this template.

Ensure actions and works identified are delivered for the whole community and respond to your local demographics uncovered in Stage 1. Consider the vision and engagement feedback to ensure the actions match the community needs such as regular seating, play spaces, shade, water access and tactile ground surface indicators (TGSI). If walking vision refers to night-time safety – are there actions that specifically address this?

Seek agreement from organisations on the route standards and design aspirations. While government may have existing standards, you may need to have project specific conversations and aspirations such as establishing a frequency of rest stops along the corridor.

The type of plan (radial, precinct, corridor) may influence the priority actions. For example, a corridor walking network plan might need rest stops along the corridor to be attractive to all ages and abilities.

Area-wide actions

Area-wide improvements might include:

addressing Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles and increasing safety at night for people walking
reducing speeds across a precinct
behaviour change programs and initiatives to increase walking such as helping people identify suitable walking routes through active school travel programs, or workplace travel plans
walking promotion, marketing, health campaigns, encouragement, education and cultural engagement
facilities that support walking such as wayfinding signage or systems
works related to maintenance of existing walking and supporting facilities
urban forest and community tree planting policy, programs for shade delivery, vegetation maintenance.

Case study: Area-wide approach in network planning

Reducing speeds in areas with high numbers of people walking and riding was a priority in the Rockhampton Regional Road Safety Strategy 2012-22. This commitment was actioned through a 'complete streets' approach. This included an area-wide speed reduction in Rockhampton CBD area and surrounds of 30km/h, coupled with other local area traffic management and amenity improvements. This initiative not only provided additional safety benefits and health wellbeing benefits, but also economic benefits, in terms of increased 'foot traffic' in the heart of Rockhampton.

More recently, local road safety practitioners conducted a 'walkability audit' in a busy precinct involving schools, shops, sporting and community venues and licensed premises. The focus was on identifying opportunities to improve safety, connectivity, and accessibility around the suburb of Wandal. This audit highlighted a few strategic links for infrastructure improvements to better support vulnerable road users and further enhance a growing active transport culture in the region. Additional area-wide treatments are also being considered for hospital precincts.

Case study: Area-wide works in action plans

In 2019 Cairns Regional Council changed the speed limit in the Cairns Central Business District from 50km/h to 40km/h, in response to crash history in the area. Existing speed limits below 40km/h were retained.

The lower speed limits led to a reduction in the number of casualties within the Cairns CBD subject area in the two years after the speed limit was reduced compared to the two years before the speed limit change.

There was a greater rate of reduction in pedestrian and bicycle rider casualties than all casualties: a 36.4% decrease in pedestrian and bicycle rider casualties in the Cairns CBD subject area in the two years after the speed limit reduction compared to the two years before.

The total reduction in casualties represents a $1.68 million saving in costs to the community.

The findings showed an improvement in safety. Public sentiment indicated neutral and positive responses, and requests for additional improvements. This dispels the myth that all speed limit reductions create a negative public response. The Cairns Regional Council subsequently expanded the 40km/h area speed limit.

For more information contact the Transport and Main Roads (TMR) Safer Speeds team, tmr.speed@tmr.qld.gov.au.

Primary and secondary route actions

Use TMR's walking guidance and resources (selection listed below) to help identify what interventions could help to deliver your walking network plan vision.

Regional and remote infrastructure costs can be as much as four times comparable urban infrastructure cost. Walking infrastructure is relatively low cost when compared with other transport modes. You may be able to reduce costs further by adopting a 'lighter quicker cheaper' approach to accelerate implementation. This aims to raise awareness and acceptance at the same time as improving conditions for walking.

Walking objective	TMR guidance and resources
Safe roads and roadsides are a cornerstone of the Safe Systems Approach. Safe movement must be supported by safe and people-friendly streets. People should feel secure when using active transport infrastructure. Include safe space, separated where possible, for active transport.	Paths for walking Road crossings Speed management and integrated treatments Urban planning and urban design
Accessible and inclusive TMR is working towards an accessible and inclusive transport network that is welcoming to everyone. People of all ages and abilities will be able to use active transport infrastructure.	Pedestrian characteristics Universal access
Connected and direct Planning for active transport infrastructure should follow desire lines, minimise waiting and remove barriers.	Paths for walking Planning for walking Road crossings Speed management and integrated treatments
Shaded Infrastructure will be provided with shade or shelter that protects users from heat and ultraviolet radiation.	Shade and street trees
Attractive Infrastructure should contribute to environments that are pleasant to use and well maintained.	Shade and street trees Supporting facilities
Legible Infrastructure will include wayfinding and signage.	Supporting facilities

Prioritising actions

Your action program priorities will depend on the plan's vision and your organisation's context, framework, needs and priorities. Use a workshop with project stakeholders to agree a methodology to prioritise and cost works:

Seek agreement prior to (or early in) the development of the draft action program.
Ensure the right contacts are attending meetings about the program.
Engage with stakeholders in a meeting to prioritise and agree to a draft list of actions to minimise multiple exchanges, based on plan vision and feedback.
Coordinate with other scheduled works in the walking network plan catchment.

Categorise works as 'essential', 'important' or 'other improvements' based on their role to help achieve the walking network plan vision. For example, if the vision identified the need for shade along a primary route you might rank these works as 'essential' with a desire to implement in the short term.

Broadly, examples of improvements under each of these themes are:

Essential: safety related such as speed limit reviews, lighting, accessibility (provides access for people with disability); missing links (including crossings); removal of trip hazards.
Important: works that encourage walking (crossings at desire lines, seating/street furniture/decluttering of path area); wayfinding; footpath widening; pavement upgrades for amenity; art installations (although in some locations any of these improvements could be regarded as Essential depending on vision and objectives for the precinct).
Other improvements: actions that deliver a more walkable environment.

Timing and delivery

Co-ordinate between local and state road authorities to understand if/when there are other works that are planned or being undertaken. Include proposed actions in future projects for a lower cost than retrofitting. For example, planned road maintenance may provide an opportunity to include walking improvements/amenity within the corridor and at crossing points.

Cost

High level concept costs can be affected by several factors such as:

the early stage of understanding the feasibility
further engineering technical works required
assessment and approvals
higher inflation pricing and resource and supply shortages
ongoing maintenance.

TMR provides approximate cost bandings in the action program template.

Evaluation approach

As part of the development of the action program, identify opportunities to incorporate works that can be easily assessed through user surveys and identify metrics and measures for ongoing monitoring (see Stage 1). Collect baseline data prior to starting any works and undertake follow-up measurements a minimum of six months after interventions have been implemented. Evaluate key measures such as safety and usage periodically to assess impact of changes.

Develop a map to showcase:

Gaps in the existing network: show where actions could complete missing links and address any existing gaps. GPS tag the actions in shapefile for mapping purposes.
Route hierarchy: highlight and identify the type and scale of walking infrastructure improvements relative to the hierarchy of the network in the action program.
Funding opportunities: show where the Principal Cycle Network overlaps with the walking network plan to highlight opportunities for TMR Cycle Network Local Government Grants funding.

Walking map

Last updated 22 April 2024