Yarra Trams push for more separation between trams and cars
One big change is coming to inner Melbourne tram tracks, and it’s set to affect motorists under a $42 million plan to slash collisions and improve journey times. See if your commute will be affected.
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Motorists would be blocked from driving on inner city tram tracks in a $42 million bid to slash the number of collisions and improve journey times.
The Herald Sun can reveal Yarra Trams is planning to install bluestone or concrete kerbs along 38km of busy routes including along Collins, Elizabeth, Flinders and Bourke streets.
Busy inner city thoroughfares including Bridge Rd, Nicholson St, Racecourse Rd and St Kilda Rd would also be targeted for permanent separation.
About 40 per cent of collisions occur on just 15 per cent of track where hard barriers are not used.
Trams and vehicles collide almost three times a day but Yarra Trams predicts installing solid kerbs would prevent about 270 crashes a year.
Busy inner city thoroughfares including Bridge Rd, Nicholson St, Racecourse Rd and St Kilda Rd would be targeted for permanent separation.
But authorities also know the move could create traffic problems for motorists as cars are given less space to park and move.
The company has identified that road authorities may reject changes in some areas if they feel that traffic flow would be impacted.
A Yarra Trams spokeswoman said 75 per cent of the network was shared with cars and other road users, with separation recently increased along Lygon, Nicholson, Williams and Swan streets.
“Trams can’t swerve to avoid collisions, and we ask motorists to be aware when driving on or around tram tracks,” she said.
Yarra Trams expects the plan would reduce the incident rate in treated areas by a massive 80 per cent.
Over the last five years, trams have collided with cars about 1000 times ever year and 10 trams are typically unavailable for peak services due to repairs which then causes frustrating delays and cancellations.
A preliminary business case on the kerb upgrade, prepared for Yarra Trams by GHD Advisory, found bluestone kerbing would cost $42.7 million to install along 38km of tracks.
It would then cost $5000 per year to maintain — compared to $17,000 for plastic strips.
Yarra Trams passenger and network innovation director Emilie van de Graaff said “inadequate maintenance” of plastic strips likely contributed to higher rates of collisions.
A government spokesman said the Department of Transport worked closely with Yarra Trams to assess each project.
“Improved tram separation will continue to be considered as part of the program of road safety improvements that we carry out on a regular basis,” he said.