Background and Purpose

Roads ACT has investigated the potential of 40km/h

area zones around shopping centres and community

facilities in the ACT to improve levels of safety especially

for cyclists and pedestrians. A 10km/h decrease in

speed can reduce the risk of death from approximately

80% (50km/h) to 30% (40km/h) which is a 50%

reduction in the risk of death for pedestrian and cyclists.

Risk of death to a pedestrian or cyclist as a function of impact speed.

Source: Anderson R, McLean A, Farmer M, Lee B, & Brooks C. (1997).

40km/h Area Zone Gungahlin Town Centre

Roads ACT is introducing a trial 40km/h area zone in Gungahlin town centre to improve safety for pedestrians,

cyclists and other road users. The trial will run from 1 August 2011 to 31 January 2012 and operate on a full time

basis (24/7). Evaluation of the 40km/h area zone will occur at the completion of the trial to determine suitability of

the boundaries, hours of operation, engineering works and communication material.

Gungahlin Town Centre Traders Update JUNE 2011

The Trial

A 40km/h area zone is to be introduced on a trial

basis within parts of Gungahlin where there are high

levels of pedestrian activity throughout the day.

The trial will occur over a 6 month period, August

2011 to February 2012, and be accompanied by sign-

age and temporary traffic calming treatments. The

aim is to create a self-enforcing 40km/h area zone.

The trial will operate on a full time basis, ensuring

increased road safety benefits for all road users. The

trial and associated construction activity will have

little or no impact on local businesses.

Benefits

• Increased levels of safety for pedestrians, cyclists and

car users alike

• Greater levels of cycling / walking uptake

• Creation of more sustainable and liveable local areas

• Little or no impact on travel times

Precinct Boundaries

The factors that influenced the boundary for the pilot 40km/h area zone included:

• pedestrian and cyclist counts (minimum 50 per hour)

• speed surveys

• analysis of pedestrian and cyclist crash data within the town centre.

For further information please contact:

www.tams.act.gov.au

40km/h trial zone for Gungahlin town centre

Precinct Map

Next Steps

There will be opportunities to provide feedback at the completion of the trial as part of the evaluation process.

Objectives of the evaluation process are to:

• Determine if speeds are reduced in the trial area

• Determine if the trial results in increases in pedestrian and/or cyclist numbers

• Determine if a reduced speed limit is supported by stakeholders

• Assess the acceptance of details of the 40 km/h zones, including boundaries, the hours of operation, and

engineering works

• Establish whether the communication process was considered appropriate

• Identify any undesirable impacts of the trial

If successful, the 40km/h area zone would be made permanent in Gungahlin Town Centre and 40km/h areas

zones may be introduced in other major shopping centres