IPWEA Vic Blog

IPWEAvic in conjunction with VicRoads is holding a series of Regional Workshops to assist in the Speed Limit Review.  The workshops will be held in four locations at end of February and beginning March 2013:

• Taralgon, Tuesday 26 Feb.  Program & Registration details here
• Ballarat, Thursday 28th Feb. Program & Registration details here
• Shepparton, Tuesday 12 March. Program & Registration details here
• Melbourne, Kew, Friday 15th March. Program & Registration details here

Workshops run from 10am til 4:30pm with lunch and afternoon tea provided.  Members and those working in traffic and safety disciples are welcome to attend but you must register to attend.

This is a great opportunity to shape the future of the speed limit guidelines

Current Road Safety (Vehicle) Regulations, particulaly those limiting rear overhang and prohibiting towing vehicles such as rollers, could impact significantly on rural road maintenance costs.  VicRoads is currently preparing a gazette notice amending the regulations applying to graders to address this issue.

IPWEAvic President David Sutcliffe wrote to the Minister for Roads late last year to outline this problem and seek its correction.  A copy of the ministers reply is available here

IPWEAvic in conjunction with MWOA are working to solve this issue with MWOA undertaking a survey of graders used in municipalities ready for submission to VicRoads.

As of 1st January 2013 VicRoads requires all contractors and councils to be prequalified in order to undertake traffic management works on VicRoads controlled roads.  Some councils have difficulties meeting the pre-qualification requirements as they do not have third party audited quality management sytems and to do so would incurr additional cost.  IPWEAvic Board member, David Sutcliffe, is working with MAV and VicRoads to find a suitable solution to this issue.

IPWEAvic has been part of an industry wide delegation to the Building Commission concerning registration of engineers joining with Engineers Australia, Consult Australia, APESMA, Society of Safety Engineers

 

Graham Hayden was an active member of IPWEAvic and organised events for the Metro East Regional Group.  He was the Manager Operations at Frankston City Council.   It is with great saddness that we learn of his passing this morning, Tuesday 29th Jan 2013

IPWEAvic has partnered in 4 OLV grant applications to undertake the following projects:

• Development of Stormwater Harvesting Guidelines – partnering with Melbourne Water
• Development of Independent Verfication Scheme for Stormater Treatment devices – partnering with Melbourne Water
• Industry partners training in stormwater – partnering with Stormwater Industry Association and Australian Water Association
• Development of tools and templates for stormwater – partnering with MECC consulting

IPWEAvic Board members Claude Cullino and Thomas Kuen have taken the lead for IPWEAvic in developing these applications for consideration by OLV for funding.

 

IPWEAvic is a supporter of the ACE Expo to be held on 21st – 23rd February 2013 at Sandown Racecourse.

You must pre-register to attend and can do this via the ACE Expo website http://www.aceexpo.com.au/index.html

Use promo code “ACEVIC30″

 

The 2013 IPWEAvic Public Works Conference, supported by Engineers Australia, offers the opportunity for public works practitioners and those working in the planning and delivery of public works to up skill, knowledge share and network. The two day program features a variety of local and international speakers, practical solutions to improving efficiencies and productivity in your workplace with case studies, half day masterclass for senior public works leaders, exhibitors featuring the latest products and services for the industry and more. The gala dinner, incorporating the IPWEAvic 2013 Awards for Excellence, allows delegates, sponsors and exhibitors the opportunity to mix in both a professional and social environment.

The Conference theme is Infrastructure Excellence, Improving Productivity. Conference sessions will consider:

· The infrastructure challenge for Victoria and its impact in the coming years
· Improving productivity through Major Projects
· Generating efficiencies and reducing cost, technology, regulation, data collection
· Gaining the best from your people through leadership excellence
· Lessons from the reforming of local government in South Africa
· Efficiency through technology- what we can learn from the rail transport challenges
· Best practice project management case studies
· Benefits of collaboration in meeting infrastructure challenges
· Tips for success in governance, politics and relationships

Download a copy of the program here

We look forward to welcoming you at this conference and being part of an outstanding event.

Registrations are now open visit the conference website to register online http://www.ipwea.theconferencemanager.com.au

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

QR Code     http://my.yapp.us/7VM9BN

 

 

 

 

 

The 2013 IPWEAvic Public Works Conference to be held on 20 and 21 March 2013.

Full details available on http://www.ipwea.theconferencemanager.com.au

Who Should Attend?

Asset Managers with sessions on

• Asset management emerging issues
• International trends in innovation and sustainability
• Regional asset management
• Most efficient use of technology in asset management
• New guidelines and practices to standardise infrastructure assets

Local Government and Public Works Engineers with sessions on

• Project delivery techniques that work
• Procurement pitfalls and how to ensure you avoid them with advice from
• Ombudsman, VAGO
• Tips for gaining maximum efficiency in design and delivery of your project
• Tips for project collaboration

Technical Services Directors and Managers with sessions on

• Infrastructure trends impacting on your organisation
• Tips to gain organisational efficiencies
• Management masterclass
• Improving productivity through Leadership Excellence
• Current issues facing local government

 

 

 

Victorian Speed Limit Review

Information Update

January 2013

IPWEA will be running workshops in February 2013 for local government to provide input to the new Speed Zoning Guidelines.  Attendance and input from traffic engineers in local municipalities is strongly encouraged to influence and shape the new guidelines.

RECENT ANNOUNCEMENT BY MINISTER

VicRoads has recently undertaken a holistic review of speed limits in Victoria.  Over 600 submissions were received from the community and stakeholders, including those from 18 local councils, RACV, MAV, the Safe Speed Interest Group, Victoria Walks, schools, lobby groups, community groups, motorcycle groups, bicycle groups, business owners and individuals.  VicRoads also consulted with key stakeholders including the Speed Limit Advisory Group, which includes IPWEA, TAC, Victoria Police, Department of Justice, MAV, ARRB and MUARC.

In August 2012, the outcomes of the Victorian Speed Limit Review were announced by the Minister for Roads, Terry Mulder MP.

The 12 key outcomes of the Review will be delivered by VicRoads, in close consultation with local municipalities and key partners, from 2012 to 2016. These outcomes will simplify speed zoning in Victoria, make speed limits easier to see and understand, improve speed limits in pedestrian areas, and help road users to understand and comply with speed limits.

VicRoads is currently updating Traffic Engineering Manual Volume 1 Chapter 7: Speed Zoning Guidelines and VLimits to reflect the outcomes of the Review.

IPWEA will be running workshops in February 2013 for local government to provide input to the new guidelines.  Attendance and input from traffic engineers in local municipalities is strongly encouraged to shape and influence the guidelines.

KEY CHANGES TO SPEED LIMITS

Speed Limit Changes at Sites Nominated by the Community and Stakeholders

The individual speed limit changes are underway, with more changes to be made this year and in 2014. VicRoads will be maintaining close contact with municipalities where speed limit changes are being made.  If you are unsure about changes in your municipality, check the interactive map (www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/SpeedReview) and speak to your VicRoads representative.

Changes to the Speed Zoning Guidelines

VicRoads is updating Traffic Engineering Manual Volume 1 Chapter 7: Speed Zoning Guidelines and VLimits to reflect the outcomes of the Review.

This will remove the 70km/h and 90km/h speed limit options from the guidelines, and update the guidelines for pedestrian activity areas to focus on when and where the risk of pedestrian crashes is high.  This includes reviewing 40km/h strip shopping centres, 40km/h local areas, 50km/h rural town centres and other areas with high pedestrian activity.

IPWEA are running workshops in February 2013 for local government to provide input to the new guidelines.  Attendance and input from traffic engineers in local municipalities is strongly encouraged to influence and shape the new guidelines.

Following the workshop and consultation with key stakeholders, draft guidelines will be developed.  The final guidelines will be completed by the end of June 2013.

Current Program – 80km/h Buffer Zones

VicRoads is replacing 80km/h ‘buffer zones’ on the approaches to rural towns with ‘60km/h Ahead’ signs.  At some locations this will mean that the 60km/h speed zone is extended, and at other locations the 80km/h ‘buffer zone’ may be extended to provide an 80km/h speed zone that meets VicRoads guidelines.  An initial program is underway to review existing 80km/h buffer zones on selected key routes, and each location will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.  VicRoads will be in close contact with all municipalities that are affected by this change.

Current Program – Sign Clutter

An initial program is underway to review ‘sign clutter’ along key routes in Victoria.  This program includes all signs, and includes close consultation with all sign owners.  VicRoads will be in contact with all municipalities involved in this program.

Upcoming Program – 70km/h and 90km/h Speed Limits

VicRoads will no longer be approving new 70km/h or 90km/h speed limits.  VicRoads will coordinate programs in the 2013-14 and 2015-16 financial years to review existing 70km/h and 90km/h speed limits on the road network, with the long term vision of gradually phasing out existing 70km/h and 90km/h speed zones.

Upcoming Program – Regulatory Speed Limit Signs and Advisory Speed Signs

In 2014-15 and 2015-16, VicRoads will undertake a program to review locations where both regulatory speed limit signs and advisory speed signs (such as those below curve warning signs) are visible to road users at the same time.  The signs will be relocated to remove the uncertainty that the two speed signs can create for road users.  The interaction between signs should always be considered, especially when speed signs are installed, replaced or relocated.

Upcoming Program – ‘End Speed Limit’ Signs

VicRoads is keen to provide clear information on the applicable speed limit to all road users.  For this reason, the ‘End 80’ and ‘End 60’ signs that are currently in place on the outskirts of rural towns will no longer be installed on sealed roads. VicRoads will undertake programs from 2013 to 2016 to replace these signs with regulatory speed limit signs.  Please note that the ‘End Speed Limit’ signs are still acceptable on unsealed roads where conditions may change at any time.

Upcoming Program – Council-Owned Collector Roads

Most collector roads across Victoria are currently configured with a 50km/h speed limit.  There are some locations where the collector road provides a major traffic carrying function, accommodates a significant traffic volume and has little or no pedestrian and cyclist activity.  In 2015-16, VicRoads will be formally inviting local councils to identify these roads with the opportunity to increase the speed limit to 60km/h if appropriate.

New Technology – Intelligent Speed Assist (ISA)

ISA devices provide in-car speed limit information to drivers, meaning that the applicable speed limit is visible to the driver on any road in Victoria at any time.  VicRoads will be developing a strategy and increasing awareness of ISA in 2013 to 2015.

Community Awareness about Speed Limits – General Information

The submissions to the Review identified considerable community confusion around speed limits.  VicRoads will coordinate awareness and education campaigns in 2014 to 2016 to improve road user understanding about speed limits.

Community Awareness about Speed Limits – Specific Locations

There are a limited number of locations on the road network where the speed limit is considerably less than road users expect.  This is particularly prevalent on the freeway network within metropolitan Melbourne where the speed limit has been reduced from 100km/h to 80km/h due to the lack of emergency shoulders, restricted sight distance and crash histories.  In line with the aims of the Review, VicRoads will be installing information plates at these locations to inform road users of why the speed limit is lower than expected.  These information plates will be limited to locations with exceptional circumstances only.

WHAT CAN COUNCIL DO?

IPWEA Workshop

The best way to directly influence the new Speed Zoning Guidelines is by participating in the IPWEA Workshop.  The workshop will focus on ideas, issues and solutions for the 40km/h pedestrian zones, and removing the 70km/h and 90km/h speed limit options.  This is a key opportunity for traffic engineers to shape the new Speed Zoning Guidelines.

Prepare for the Changes to 40km/h Pedestrian Activity Areas

It is not too early to think about residential areas, strip shopping centres and remote school crossings.  Do you have areas with high pedestrian activity that would benefit from a 40km/h speed zone?  The guidelines will be complete on 30 June 2013, at which time you can check the criteria with the details of your site and start to prepare an application to VicRoads if you have an appropriate location.

Prepare for the Changes to 70km/h and 90km/h Speed Zones

Start to think about the roads with 70km/h and 90km/h speed limits in your municipality.  How do you envision they may change in the long term?  After the Speed Zoning Guidelines are complete (30 June 2013), start to assess those roads against the new guidelines so that you are well prepared for when VicRoads contacts you as part of its program.  You could even start to submit applications for speed limit changes in the latter half of 2013.

Keep in Contact with your Local VicRoads Representative

Your regional VicRoads representative will be able to answer your questions about when and where speed limit changes are occurring, and what is planned for the coming years.

Have a Look at the Victorian Speed Limit Review Website

The details of the 12 outcomes and an interactive map of the locations where speed limits will change are available at www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/SpeedReview.