RACT is calling for submissions to create a 30-year plan to tackle Greater Hobart’s worsening traffic conditions

WITH frustrated drivers continuing to battle peak-hour traffic congestion, RACT is calling for public help to shape a 30-year “single, comprehensive and cohesive plan” to cut the Greater Hobart snarl. DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS? NOW’S THE TIME TO SHARE THEM

Morning peak-hour traffic coming into Hobart along Davey St. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

TASMANIA’S peak motoring body will help create a 30-year plan to tackle Greater Hobart’s worsening traffic issues.

With frustrated drivers continuing to deal with peak-hour congestion, RACT is calling for submissions to help form a 30-year “single, comprehensive and cohesive plan” for improved traffic movements across the city.

RACT Group chief executive Harvey Lennon said population and visitor numbers were

increasing, and there were growing concerns around congestion in Greater Hobart.

“As our population continues to grow, we need a long-term vision that takes into account

social, economic, infrastructure, urban planning and public and active transport

opportunities and impacts,” he said.

“We also need to be cognisant of emerging and future technologies such as electric and

autonomous vehicles.

“A single plan is critical. Completing individual projects without an overarching plan is not

going to adequately address the problem in the long term.”

The Mercury understands an element of frustration because of a lack action on a long-term vision to tackle Greater Hobart’s traffic is one of the reasons RACT has decided it’s time to act.

Traffic on the Tasman Bridge after a truck breakdown.

A State Government spokesman said it has been briefed by RACT on its forum and would be making a submission.

“The Government took a comprehensive vision for Hobart’s future traffic management to the last election and is getting on with the job of delivering it,” the spokesman said.

“Work is underway on a number of projects to address congestion, including planning and design for traffic flow improvements and bus priority measures on Davey and Macquarie streets.”

MORE: SLOW GOING ON MACQUARIE AND DAVEY STREET TAKEOVER

The University of Tasmania will partner with the RACT on the initiative, underpinned by a

shared interest in fostering a conversation about how to deliver a future for greater Hobart

that is liveable, dynamic and sustainable.

RACT is seeking submissions that can combine to form an independent vision for the next 30

years — 2020 to 2050.

“The final vision should ensure that not only congestion but safety of motorists, pedestrians

and cyclists are considered,” Mr Lennon said.

“We are excited to enable discussion across a range of community, government and

business groups to seek to bring to life a future vision.

“No matter how big or small the idea, we want to hear it.

“We believe the answer is out there, but we need to collect and combine the ideas of many

into one vision, which we can then lobby for on behalf of all Tasmanians.”

Traffic in Macquarie St just after 5.30pm. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

RACT will collect, review and shortlist the submissions with assistance from an expert panel

representing a range of areas including social, infrastructure, urban planning, future

mobility and public and active transport.

The shortlisted submissions will be discussed and voted on at a free public forum later in the

year.

As part of forming the vision, the RACT is also conducting a mobility survey to fully

understand travel patterns around the greater Hobart area.

The survey is available at www.surveymonkey.com/r/RACTHobartVision.

Mr Lennon said he was very pleased the RACT was enabling this discussion across a

range of local community, government and business groups.

For more information on the guidelines for submissions, visit www.hobartvision.ract.com.au.