Mentone Traffic Network Design Overview and Summary Report

P:\603X\60308500\6. Draft Docs\6.1 Reports\Mentone Traffic Network Design Rpt\162spa_Mentone Traffic Network Design - Overview and Summary Report_FINAL_12.02.15.docx Revision C – 12-Feb-2015 Prepared for – City of Kingston Council – ABN: 80 640 377 247

Mentone Traffic Network Modelling

City of Kingston Council

12-Feb-2015

Mentone Traffic Network Design

Overview and Summary Report

AECOM





Overview and Summary Report

Client: City of Kingston Council

ABN: 80 640 377 247

Prepared by

AECOM Australia Pty Ltd

Level 9, 8 Exhibition Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

T +61 3 9653 1234 F +61 3 9654 7117 www.aecom.com

ABN 20 093 846 925

12-Feb-2015

Job No.: 60308500

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Quality Information

Document Mentone Traffic Network Design

Ref 60308500

Date 12-Feb-2015

Prepared by Adrian Koorn

Reviewed by Christian Bodé

Revision History

Revision Revision

Date Details

Authorised

Name/Position Signature

A 28-Jul-2014 Draft Report Christian Bodé

Associate Director

B 24-Oct-2014 Final Report Christian Bodé

Associate Director

C 12-Feb-2015 Final Report Christian Bodé

Associate Director

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Table of Contents

1.0 Introduction 1 1.1 Introduction 1 1.2 Background 1 1.3 General objectives 2

2.0 Preferred Option 2 2.1 Preferred Option 2

2.1.1 Buses 3 3.0 Development of Options 5

3.1 Option Development 5 4.0 Data Collection and Traffic Modelling 6

4.1 Introduction 6 4.2 Data Collection 6 4.3 Modelling 8

5.0 Consultation 10 5.1 Consultation 10

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1.0 Introduction

1.1 Introduction

AECOM has been commissioned by the City of Kingston to undertake a study of the current Mentone area traffic

network, to assess the potential impacts of proposed changes to traffic movements, and confirm a suitable

concept design for the road network to support the proposed changes.

1.2 Background

The City of Kingston has developed a Structure Plan for the Mentone Activity Centre. The Plan has been

developed to grow the area over the next two decades in a coordinated way, bringing together public and private

landowners and the community, to capitalise on new opportunities to transform the centre. Formally adopted by

Council in July 2011, the Structure Plan has two major objectives:

- to create a new pedestrian-friendly heart in Mentone, and

- to safely manage traffic congestion.

The current road network follows the same pattern since it was formed in 1928. In that time traffic levels and

movements have changed significantly. Council is seeking to change the current network, and a fundamental part

of this is to change the area of Como Parade and in particular the movements around the triangle junction of

Florence Street, Mentone Parade and Como Parade West.

To bring to fruition this plan there would need to be changes to movements for general traffic, public transport,

pedestrians and cyclists. The fundamental objective is to radically improve pedestrian amenity and safety within

the heart of Mentone by relocating vehicles away from the main pedestrian area. The impacts of these proposed

changes need to be understood and an appropriate network developed that meets the overall objectives without

unacceptable negative impacts on the movement of through traffic, and the operation and viability of the area.

Figure 1 Site Location

Legend:

Mentone Study Area

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The project study area is shown in Figure 1, and is bounded by Balcombe Road to the north, Plummer Road to

the west, Como Parade West to the east, and parallel to Beach Road to the south.

The transport network for Mentone has a number of components:

- Balcombe Road is the main east-west road linking Black Road and Bayside through the Nepean Highway.

- Mentone Station is located to the east of Como Parade with car parks mainly on the eastern side of the rail

line, and level crossings at both Balcombe Road and Warrigal Road.

- Bus services generally stop in Como Parade West which provides stops both sides of the road.

- Retail activity covers a number of streets/areas including Como Parade West, Florence Street, and Mentone

Parade.

The roads are subject to a mix of 40km/h, 50km/h and 60 km/h speed limits.

1.3 General objectives

In support of the Structure Plan there are two major objectives from a transport/traffic perspective:

- to create a new pedestrian-friendly heart in Mentone; and

- to safely manage traffic congestion.

For Council key components of the initial proposed network changes were:

- Provision of new access/peripheral road between Balcombe Road and Florence Street

- Creation of additional pedestrian space around the Como Parade West/Florence Street triangle with closure

of routes; and

- New pedestrian priority area in Como Parade West

2.0 Preferred Option

2.1 Preferred Option

Through a process of analysis and assessment, traffic modelling and refinement a preferred option has been

identified. This has a number of features that can be implemented in a staged way.

The core components of the plan include:

- Discouraging through traffic away from the station area through a more efficient route via Davies Street,

Florence Street and Mentone Parade;

- Creating a new town square at the historic triangle site by closing part of Florence Street and developing a

safer shared zone on part of Mentone Parade; and

- Relocating the bus stops from in front of the shops on Como Parade and adding parking to support the

vitality of the retail core and improve commuter safety.

Two key modifications have made to the original structure plan to overcome constraints identified during the

design development process:

- The access road for through traffic must now use the existing Davies Street due to issues with placing

signals at the new road to be created off Balcombe Road; and

- A new town square is proposed for the triangle site, to replace the previous “shared space” option which was

not able to be designed in a way that met the needs of all modes of transport and retains the desired level of

car parking.

This option (known as Option 3) is shown in Figure 2.

Additional supporting measures include:

- pedestrian priority area on Mentone Parade

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- Left turn only from Florence Street

- Relocation of northbound bus stop to south of Mentone Parade

- New parking in place of existing bus stop on west side of Como Parade

- Extensions to 40 kmh zone

- Additional adjustments to parking/loading, taxi and kiss and ride to complement option

The scheme includes an enhanced pedestrian crossing from the station with wider crossing area and narrowed

roads to enable building out of footpaths to give greater space for pedestrians.

Figure 2 Option 3 - Preferred Option

2.1.1 Buses

There are a number of bus services that pass through Mentone. The majority of these stop at the north and

southbound bus stops on Como Parade outside the station. The services involved include:

- 708 Carrum – Hampton via Southland.

- 811 Dandenong – Brighton via Heatherton Road, Springvale.

- 812 Dandenong – Brighton via Parkmore Shopping Centre.

- 825 Moorabbin – Southland via Black Road and Mentone.

- 903 Altona – Mordialloc.

Some new bus stops will be required to service these changes. In addition there are a number of school buses.

Changes to the triangle will require adjustments to bus routes.

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Figure 3 Existing Bus Routes

Figure 4 Proposed Bus Routes

Route 708

Route 811 / 812

Route 825

Route 903

Bus Stops (Existing)

Route 708

Route 811 / 812

Route 825

Route 903

Bus Stops (Existing)

Bus Stops (Proposed)

Bus Stops (To Be Removed)

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3.0 Development of Options

3.1 Option Development

City of Kingston developed a whole series of options to achieve the overall project objectives. Central to these

was the change in how Como Parade West operates, with a range of supporting measures in the area. Options

considered closing different arms of the triangle either fully, or partially to vehicles with traffic circulating in

different directions and some sections of street designed as pedestrian priority/friendly areas.

Following discussions and review the options were narrowed to to three potential concepts for assessment and

review. The three options are:

- Option 1 – Two way Mentone Parade to Como Parade with one way southbound only Como Parade south of

Mentone Parade, and one way westbound Como Parade to Florence Street.

- Option 2 – Full closure of Como Parade between Mentone Parade and Florence Street with two way on

Florence Street to Como Parade

- Option 3 – Full closure of Florence Street between Mentone Parade and Como Parade with one way

northbound only on Mentone Parade and continued two way access on Como Parade.

In order to facilitate the changes to Como Parade West there are a number of important supporting measures

required. The need to provide an additional north-south route if access to Como Parade West is restricted or

closed has been identified. Currently there is an unofficial route between Balcombe Road and Florence Street

that goes through a number of private and public car parks, vehicles pass through here whilst seeking parking

places. Davies Street is also a potential route. Both options have been considered.

In addition the roundabout at Balcombe Road/Como Parade intersection has been considered for change to a

signalised intersection incorporating pedestrian crossing facilities. Such an arrangement would enable the

removal of the current controlled pedestrian crossing on Balcombe Road.

The current roundabout at the Balcombe Road/Como Parade West intersection provides for all vehicle

movements. There are a number of issues with the roundabout;

- Prioritises movements out of Como Parade West over the eastern movement on Balcombe Road

- Disruption and lack of co-ordination with level crossing closures;

- No ability to prioritise bus movements; and

- Difficulties for pedestrians crossing.

Signalising the intersection provides a range of option for controlling movements in/out of Como Parade West,

improving pedestrian facilities, and improving co-ordination of the east-west movements along the VicRoads

arterial road. It also allows for the implantation of bus priority.

In addition there are a number of complimentary traffic management measures that will required to support any

option or changes to the movement of vehicles in Mentone. Whilst minor in scope these are important to ensure a

consistent network approach. This includes:

- Changes to local direction signing – ensuring new routes clearly signed to town centre

- Provision of new car par signing to direct drivers to off street parking

- Minor changes to the rail station car park entrance

- Consideration of VMS parking signing to alert drivers to spaces in off street car parks

It will also be important in design terms the final scheme demonstrates support for pedestrians through:

- Wider crossing facilities

- Raised crossing; and

- Reduced speed and traffic areas.

The provision of additional pedestrian signing will also be considered.

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Cyclists will benefit from the reduction in vehicle speeds and general layout. Space constraints restrict the ability

to provided dedicated cycle lanes without removing all on-street parking.

4.0 Data Collection and Traffic Modelling

4.1 Introduction

In order to understand the benefits and impacts of the different options a series of traffic surveys including

pedestrian counts were undertaken, and then this data was used to build traffic models that were used to assess

and understand the benefits/impacts of the options.

4.2 Data Collection

To understand the current pattern of traffic and transport movements in the Mentone Activity Centre, a range of

traffic surveys were commissioned.

- Turning movement count (TMC) surveys were undertaken at critical intersections to evaluate the capacity

restraints on the road network and to evaluate the traffic turning proportion through the study area;

- An origin-destination (OD) survey of Mentone was undertaken to determine travel patterns of vehicle in,

around and out of the study area. The surveys were also designed to provide an accurate breakdown of the

routes used around the study area, and determine the relative proportions of vehicles with local destinations.

Kingston City Council engaged traffic survey consultants to complete the traffic surveys.

A series of pedestrian surveys were undertaken to determine the volumes and distribution in the study area. This

included counts at the existing signalised pedestrian crossings and the intersection of Florence Street and

Mentone Parade. In addition site observations and spot counts were undertaken on minor roads and accesses.

The results and information is more fully described in the Part 2 Report and associated Appendices. In summary

the key existing flows are shown in Table 1 and Table 2.

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Table 1 Surveyed Peak Period Vehicle Flows

Road Direction AM Peak

(7:00 AM – 9:00 AM)

PM Peak

(2:30 PM – 4:30 PM)

Balcombe Road

(East of Davies Street)

EB 891 1096

WB 1022 1268

Florence Street

(East of Car Park Access)

EB 403 374

WB 312 369

Como Parade West


NB 746 805

SB 560 746

Davies Street

(South of Balcombe Road)

NB 86 153

SB 131 229

Plummer Road


NB 345 341

SB 241 184

Table 2 Surveyed Peak Period Pedestrian Flows

Crossing Location Direction AM Peak

(7:00 AM – 9:00 AM)

PM Peak

(2:30 PM – 4:30 PM)

Balcombe Road

(Signalised Pedestrian Crossing)

NB 48 94

SB 80 70

Como Parade

(Signalised Pedestrian Crossing)

EB 338 983

WB 787 341

Como Parade – Mentone Parade

(South)

NB 26 123

SB 18 26

Como Parade – Florence Street

(West)

NB 13 105

SB 11 16

Mentone Parade - Florence St

(East)

NB 9 17

SB 0 5


(North)

EB 9 9

WB 5 15


(South)

EB 10 23

WB 8 46


(West)

NB 123 702

SB 564 194

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4.3 Modelling

AECOM have developed a VISSIM micros-simulation model of central Mentone. The model has made full use of

the traffic surveys, pedestrian counts and Origin-Destination surveys to replicate current activity in the area.

A series of options have been tested for two time periods:

- AM peak – 7:30 to 9:30

- PM peak – 2:30 to 4:30 (to coincide with school peak)

Full details of the Traffic Modelling are provided in the Part 2 Technical Report and Appendices.

The mode platform was used to test a range of traffic configurations and options including:

- Options 1 to 3 for Mentone Triangle

- Signalised Balcombe Road / Como Parade West intersection

- Signalised Balcombe Road / Peripheral Road intersection

- Signalised Davies Street / Balcombe Road intersection

- Removal of existing signalised pedestrian crossing between Como Parade West and Peripheral Road

- The rest of the network is as per existing conditions.

The initial stage of traffic modelling indicated that Option 3 provided the best network performance. Further

additional traffic modelling was undertaken to refine the options for Balcombe Road including:

- Additional detail added relating to new developments

- options for an alternative north-south route

- reviewing the signalisation of Balcombe Road / Como Parade

- bus priority on Balcombe Road

As a result of this additional testing, the recommended arrangement includes:

- Option 3 in the Mentone triangle Existing roundabout at the intersection of Como Parade West;

- Existing pedestrian crossing between Como Parade West and Peripheral Road;

- Existing priority control at the intersection of the Peripheral Road; and

- Signalised intersection at Balcombe Road and Davies Street.

In addition to changes to the parking arrangements bus movements would need to change. The suggested

changes include:

- Route 825 – remain on Balcombe Road

- Route 903 – via Como Parade West or via Davies Street

- Route 811/812 – remain on Balcomve Road

- Routes 708 unchanged

With regard to Balcombe Road the testing identified the best network performance with the signalisation of the

Davies Street / Balcombe Road intersection.

With regard to signalising the Balcombe Road / Como Parade intersection this provides a number of advantages

including:

- Prioritises movements out of Como Parade West over the eastern movement on Balcombe Road

- Disruption and lack of co-ordination with level crossing closures;

- No ability to prioritise bus movements; and

- Difficulties for pedestrians crossing.

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However the modelling results indicate that in terms of network performance the roundabout is currently the best

option as it provides a flexible and adaptable method of control. The scheme would also be expensive due to the

level crossing complications. It is therefore suggested that the signalisation is a secondary objective to be

progressed at a later date.

Additional measures to be considered part of the overall plan include:

- New wayfinding signing to Mentone town centre

- Extended 40 kph speed limit in the central area

- Revised intersection layout at Plummer Road/Balcombe Road

- New Car Parking signing with consideration of VMS signing

It is also recommended City of Kingston review cycle routes in the area to ensure a network plan is identified for

future integration.

The analysis has indicated that the impact of these changes to movements would change flows in the area as

shown in Table 3 and travel times on Balcombe Road would change as shown in Table 4.

Table 3 Modelled Peak Period Vehicle Flows (Comparison to Existing)

Road Direction

AM Peak

(7:00 AM – 9:00 AM)

PM Peak

(2:30 PM – 4:30 PM)

Surveyed Option Surveyed Option

Balcombe Road


EB 891 1000 1096 997

WB 1022 1099 1268 1243

Florence Street


EB 403 528 374 475

WB 312 478 369 439

Como Parade West


NB 746 479 805 449

SB 560 346 746 406

Davies Street


NB 86 352 153 308

SB 131 349 229 561

Plummer Road


NB 345 430 341 472

SB 241 256 184 167

Table 4 Modelled Peak Period Travel Times (Comparison to Existing)

Road Direction

AM Peak

(7:00 AM – 9:00 AM)

PM Peak

(2:30 PM – 4:30 PM)

Existing Recommended Existing Recommended

Balcombe Road


EB 2:29 2:49 2:16 3:07

WB 2:06 2:06 2:05 2:35

The preferred option has also been tested for 2024 using proposed development traffic based on Structure Plan

proposals. Whilst delays increase the network continues to function.

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5.0 Consultation

5.1 Consultation

Consultation has been undertaken with key stakeholders to achieve in-principle agreement on the new

arrangement of Balcombe Road, the Como Parade West / Florence Street option and the operation of public

transport services throughout the study area. This has included:

- A series of workshops was held with representatives from City of Kingston, Public Transport Victoria (PTV)

and VicRoads.

- Additional joint VicRoads/PTV meetings

- Presentation to VicRoads Metro South East Regional Review Committee

- Additional meetings with PTV

Feedback from these exercises has been used to enhance the scheme and inform additional traffic model tests.

Documents

Mentone Traffic Network Design Overview and Summary Report