› DIER › Annual Reports › 2003 Annual Report › Output Group 3

TRANSPORT SERVICES AND INFRASTRUCTURE
ROADS AND BRIDGES
The State Roads Infrastructure Strategy explains how the Tasmanian Government determines its road investment priorities and shows the main projects to be undertaken and planned to be undertaken in its five year forward works program.

This strategy targets key investment imperatives on Tasmania's State Road network. These investments will facilitate efficient and effective transport services that are critical to the function of the Tasmanian economy. It supports economic growth, social well being, environmental sustainability and the Tasmanian lifestyle.

Key Clients
The general community, tourists and industry are the main beneficiaries of the Roads Program.

How this program is delivered
Agency staff undertake assessment of the transport task which is then reflected in a five-year works program and delivered through contracts and consultancies. External service providers are engaged to develop projects from the concept stage through community input and approval phases, to the works tender stage, while all works contracts are externally sourced. The maintenance of the classified road network is performed under contract.

Achievements Against Strategies for 2002/03
ROAD PROGRAMS

In 2002/03 the Tasmanian Government invested $51.02 million in maintaining and improving the State Road network. This includes roads, bridges, drainage structures, signs, pavement marking and other associated assets. Included in this is operation of a number of bridges, responding to emergency events and responding to urgent safety and community issues.

In addition, infrastructure investment from the Tasmanian Infrastructure Fund was largely completed in 2002/03. A sum of $254,629 is expected to be spent in 2003/04.

Collectively, the program for roads during 2002/03 included the following significant upgrading and maintenance projects :-

Replacement of the Sorell Causeway Bridge on the Tasman Highway;

Upgrading the Port Sorell Main Road between Appleby Road and Wrights Lane;

Upgrading of the Cradle Mountain Tourist Road between the National Park Visitors Centre and Dove Lake;

Upgrading of the Highland Lakes Road south of Miena;

Replacement of the Black River and Dentention River Bridges on the Bass Highway;

Improvements at the Molesworth junction on the Lyell Highway;

Cycleway improvements on the Channel Highway between Taroona and Kingston;

Design work on duplication of the West Tamar Highway between Cormiston Creek and Acropolis Drive;

Pre-construction development of overtaking lanes at Gunns Hill on the Arthur Highway;

Upgrading of the Ridgley Main Road between Menne Road and Neena Road;

Improvements at the junction of the Lyell Highway and Boyer Secondary Road;

Preconstruction development for improvements to the Glen Huon Main Road;

Construction of the entrance to Dismal Swamp Maze on the Bass Highway;

High-return safety improvement projects identified through planning studies and safety audits;

Community, cycling and tourism infrastructure projects in partnership with local councils;

Routine and specific maintenance programs to ensure the State roads and bridges deliver appropriate levels of service; and

Environmental projects to reduce the impact of the roads on roadsides and the wider environment.
In addition to this program is the continuing investment by the Commonwealth Government in the National Highway. The National Highway is a core part of the State's transport system and its development and management are integrated with the State Road network. The National Highway connects Hobart, Launceston and Burnie. In 2002/03 the Commonwealth invested $25.420 million, including $13.955 million in construction and planning. The strategies being implemented on the State Roads are complementary to those for the National Highway. The details of National Highway strategies are set out in the National Highway Tasmania, Forward Strategy Report 2002.

Major construction projects on the National Highway included :-

Completion of the dual carriageway on the Bass Highway from Devonport's Victoria Bridge to Port Sorell Main Road;

Completion of the upgrade to Jordan River Bridge;

Pavement strengthening of the Midland Highway between the Kings Meadows Connector and the Prospect Interchange;

Pavement restoration on the Bass Highway east of Elizabeth Town;

Junction improvements on the Midland Highway at Glen Morey and Bowhill Roads; and

Planning for the replacement of the Bridgewater Bridge.
The Commonwealth also contributed to the Arthur Highway improvements and replacement of Black River Bridge through the Roads of National Importance (RONI) program. The Commonwealth also provided $1.2 million to deliver a range of safety improvements on State and local roads through the Commonwealth Black Spot program.

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

The table below provides comparative information on two key effectiveness indicators for the Roads Program. The Road Maintenance Effectiveness (RME) indicator represents the cost per lane kilometre to maintain road pavements to target conditions. The Smooth Travel Exposure (STE) indicator represents the proportion of travel being undertaken by vehicles on sealed roads of roughness less than a nationally specified level.

Road maintenance effectiveness and smooth travel exposure 1997-98 to 2002-03

Measure	1997-98	1998-99	1999-00	2000-01	2001-02	2002-03
Road Maintenance Effectiveness 110 nrm1 ($'000)	4.1	3.9	3.4	3.4	3.1	2.9
Road Maintenance Effectiveness 140 nrm1 ($'000)	3.6	3.5	3.1	3.1	2.8	2.6
Smooth Travel Exposure	94.5	95.2	95.1	95	95.4	95.7
110 nrm1 (%)
Smooth Travel Exposure
0 nrm1 (%)	14	99.2	99.3	99.4	99.2	99.4

1. nrm — national roughness measure.

ROADS INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (RIMS)

Implementation of Freight Survey Module in RIMS. This module supports the Department's annual freight demander survey, to manage and report on freight movements across Tasmania. The system is designed to provide for data entry, editing/validation, storage and interrogation of information.

Spatial Enabling of the RIMS Database (currently being implemented in RIMS pre-production environment). This project involves implementation of Oracle Spatial and the population of selected tables within the database with spatial objects. It also incorporates the harmonising of the road centre line contained in RIMS with that held in the Land Information System Tasmania (LIST).

Establishment of a service level agreement with Mineral Resources Tasmania (MRT) for provision of technical support and maintenance of RIMS. The agreement with MRT builds on the synergies between MRT's TIGER system and RIMS. It provides regular maintenance of the system, addressing bug fixes and minor enhancements. It also includes management of the development and test environment for the system and management of releases by third party contractors.

Traffic Statistics System. Business specifications are complete for this module of the Roads Information Management System (RIMS) development.

TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE

Cradle Mountain Tourist Road Project. The Cradle Mountain Tourist Road provides access to one of Tasmania's premier tourist icons and the northern end of the State's wilderness World Heritage Area. The upgrading of the road as a single lane road with passing bays has been completed. Liaison with the Parks and Wildlife Service is continuing on short-term parking issues and the overall strategic development of Cradle Valley.

Strategic Asset Management Plan. The first version of the Strategic Asset Management Plan is due by October 2003. This will set the focus for DIER in determining priorities for the management of state-owned road and bridge assets into the future.

Tasmanian Roadside Signs Manual. This project was undertaken in consultation with Tourism Tasmania and was an important step in determining standards for signage across the network. The manual is now complete and is located on the Tourism Tasmania website.

Road Signage Upgrading. This project was seen as a key initiative in order to increase the capacity to enjoy the tourism experience on State roads. It is an ongoing project and includes upgrading directional, advisory, natural and heritage road signs.

Telemetry/Solar System on Permanent Traffic Counter Sites. Because of the delayed release of new technology, upgrading of Temporary Counters was completed instead. New equipment has been purchased for trial over the next six months with a view to permanent upgrading if suitable.

Videography Survey of State Roads. This is a low cost but high performance video of the state road network and can be run off individual personal computers. It enables the viewer to see the network at any particular point on the network from both directions, including a side view of roadside furniture. This will benefit the Agency by reducing the need to travel to specific sites for inspection in some instances and is easily supported by existing systems.

Tasman Highway Study. This study, which was finalised in 2002/03, investigated the adequacy of the road network section between Hobart and the Chain of Lagoons on the East Coast. The study, which was conducted with a steering group of council, business, government and community representatives, involved extensive public consultation and focus groups in geographic and industry/business areas to identify issues. All identified projects and issues were prioritised, using both goal achievement and benefit/cost techniques to arrive at priority project groupings in the areas of safety, tourism, corridor improvement and community development. Implementation of these projects will be formulated through a co-operative, partnering approach between DIER, Tourism Tasmania, the Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment and local groups to ensure that the Tasman Highway caters for the needs of residents, tourists, cyclists and heavy freight users.
TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

Traffic Signal Works - Hobart
Full signal site upgrades were completed at the following sites:

Argyle Street / Burnett Street

Argyle Street / New Town Road

Sandy Bay Road / King Street

Tolosa Street / Main Road
There was a full signal site upgrade at Bligh Street / Bayfield Street with modifications to accommodate access to the Eastlands car park.
Partial upgrading of traffic signal site hardware was completed at the following sites:

Murray Street / Liverpool Street

Creek Road / Main Road

Creek Road / Lenah Valley Road / Pottery Road

Bathurst Street Ped Crossing near State Library

Elizabeth Street / Liverpool Street

Argyle Street / Macquarie Street
Installation of Audio Tactile Pedestrian Buttons was completed at the following sites:

Hopkins Street / Main Road

Campbell Street / Collins Street

Campbell Street / Macquarie Street

Goodwood Road / Howard Road

Brooker Highway / Derwent Entertainment Centre

Brooker Highway / Goodwood Road

Tasman Highway / Liverpool Street

Traffic Signal Works - Launceston

Installation and commissioning of traffic signals took place at St John Street / William Street.

Partial upgrading of traffic signal site hardware was completed at the following sites:

6 Ways / Hobart Road

Brisbane Street / Wellington Street

Charles Street / York Street

Charles Street / Brisbane Street
Installation of Audio Tactile Pedestrian Buttons was completed at the following sites:

Bathurst Street / Wellington Street / Southern Outlet
Howick Street / Southern Outlet
Cameron Street / Tamar Street

There was modification to the right-turn movement phase at Hobart Road / Riseley Street to improve efficiency.

Traffic Signal Works - North-West Coast
Installation and commissioning of traffic signals was completed at Formby Road / Steele Street, Devonport. De-commissioning of temporary traffic signals took place at Bass Highway / Port Sorell Main Road, Devonport.

Partial upgrading of traffic signal site hardware was completed at the following sites:

Bass Highway / West Park Grove, Burnie

Alexander Street / Wilmot Street, Burnie

Mount Street / Cattley Street, Burnie

Wilson Street / Wilmot Street, Burnie

Formby Road / Stewart Street, Devonport

Oldaker Street / William Street, Devonport

Installation of Audio Tactile Pedestrian Buttons was completed at the following sites:

Mount Street / Wilmot Street, Burnie

Bass Highway / Wilson Street, Burnie

Bass Highway / Mount Street, Burnie

 
PASSENGER TRANSPORT SERVICES

Development of the Transport Online Application Delivery System (TOADS)
A system was developed to enable clients to submit applications for a student concession bus pass by electronically interfacing with the back end systems of two different agencies from two different levels of Government - State and Federal. The result has been a significant improvement to client service.

Development of Map Interfaces for Bus Route Website
All maps created for a regular passenger transport service under an interim service contract have been converted to 'internet-ready' to be made available on the Bus Route Website for public use.

Student Transport Handbook
This handbook was developed as a way of compiling all guidelines relevant to Passenger Transport Services to assist schools around Tasmania. It is currently in draft format and is expected to be endorsed by the Student Transport Users Group and released late in the 2003 school year.

National Blind Pass / Vision Impaired Travel Pass
Passenger Transport Services is now responsible for issuing nationally recognised Vision Impaired Travel Passes. Application forms were printed and a new card was designed to allow blind persons and their accompanying mobility instructor to travel on public transport services throughout Australia at discounted rates.

Business Specifications for Bus Route Manager - RIMS
The purpose of Bus Route Manager is to consolidate information from a number of different systems into a more accurate and easily maintained register of regular passenger transport services and their providers. From this the Department meets its legislative requirements to provide a register.

Passenger Transport Services has documented the functional requirements of a consolidated application for Bus Route Manager so that it can be developed as part of RIMS phase III. It consists of updating and maintaining routes, fare and timetables, responding to enquiries and requests, and producing general reports.

Transport Access Scheme

Active Members : 16,850

Members added since 1 July 2002 : 3,196

Members removed since 1 July 2002 : 1,324

Net increase in active membership : 1,712 (10.2%)

Average number of applications received per week : 75

Student Transport Concession Passes (entitles the holder to free travel on fare paying services)

Total passes issued 2003: 11,573*
Years prep through 6: 3927
Years 7 through 10: 5184
Years 11 through 13: 2430
Other: 32

* Due to the new multiple year passes being issued for the first time this year, this figure is expected to drop to between 4,000 and 5,000 in the 2004 school year. Passes will only be issued to those students who are entering Years 3, 7, 11, 12 and 13 or applying for the first time. Eg, if a child applies for a new pass and is in Year 8, they will be issued with a pass valid until the end of Year 10. At the conclusion of Year 10 the student will need to reapply for Year 11.

Contracted School Bus Services

Number of Routes : 585

Number of Buses : 479

Number of Contracts : 424

Contracted loaded kilometres : 28,353 per day

Average daily cost per bus : $207.64

Fare Paying Services

Subsidised passenger trips for which a "top-up" payment was claimable: 2,716,280

Claimable trip by category :
Students aged under 17 : 1,196,968
Students aged 17 years and over : 200,263
Student free travel aged under 17 : 895,735
Student free travel aged 17 years and over: 25,920
Student transfers aged under 17 : 18,187
Student transfers aged 17 years and over : 467
Pensioner concession fare : 278,358
Unemployed concession fare : 46,750
Ferry pensioners : 25,441
Unemployed ferry pensioners : 9,915
TAFE Concession tickets for students 17 years and over : 18,247
TAFE Concession tickets for students aged under 17 : 146
Out of hours travel voucher for students aged under 17 (private schools) : 27
Out of hours travel voucher for students aged 17 years and over (private schools) : 11
Out of hours travel voucher for students aged under 17 (state schools) : 23
Out of hours travel voucher for students aged 17 years and over (state schools) : 0

PROJECT LIAISON

Public Contact Plans

Public Contact Plans were completed and implemented for the projects listed below. The plans are to advise the community and stakeholders of works that may affect them. They include newspaper and radio advertisements, letterbox flyers, special signage, brochures, posters, publication on web site, etc.

Arthur Highway - Sorell to Murdunna widening and safety works

Arthur HighwayTree Removal

Bass Highway - Black River Bridge

Bass Highway - Detention River Bridge
Bass Highway - Port Sorell to East Devonport
Bass Highway - south of Parramatta Creek
Channel Highway at Margate
Channel Highway, Taroona to Kingston Bicycle Lanes
Cradle Mountain Tourist Road
Driffield St, Queenstown
Glen Huon Main Road
Huon Highway - Summerleas Road Junction Improvements
Lyell Highway - Entrance to Strahan
Lyell Highway/Boyer Secondary Road Junction
Lyell Highway/Molesworth Rd Junction
Mersey Main Road - Woodrising Ave to Devonport Main Rd - Traffic Calming
Midland Highway - Jordan River bridge strengthening
Midland Highway, Kings Meadows Connector to Prospect Interchange
North East Tasmania Access Study
Port Sorell Main Road - Applebys to Wrights Lane
Port Sorell Main Road - Stage 3
Ridgley Main Road - Menne Road to Neena Road - Pavement Rehabilitation
Sorell Causeway Bridge Replacement
Tasman Highway - Paradise Gorge
Tasman Highway - Sorell Traffic Calming.
Tyenna River Bridge - Westerway
West Tamar Highway - Cormiston Creek to Acropolis Drive
Public Displays

Glen Huon Main Road/Widening - Nov 02
Tasman Highway/Sorell Traffic Calming - Dec 02
Lyell Highway/Boyer Secondary Road Junction - Jan 03
Channel Highway at Margate/Safety Projects - Jan 03
Midland Highway/Epping Forest - June 03
West Tamar Highway/Cormiston Creek to Acropolis Drive - July 02
Huon Highway/Summerleas Road Junction - July 02
Special community awareness acitivity

Signs - Tasmanian Visitor Entry Signs
5th Austroads Bridge Conference
West Coast Wilderness Railway - Official Opening April 2003
Value Management Conference August 2002
Driffield Street - Local Education Campaign
McGees Bridge - Official Opening December 2002
Sorell Causeway