Construction delays because of transport related factors can be expensive, frustrating, and avoidable for developers, homeowners, and tradies. Construction occurs all around us and can be as small as a residential upgrade (New Pool, Pergola or Extension) all the way through to major developments such as a new rail line and stations, a 50-story mixed development commercial and residential or a new bridge.
According to Australia Industry and Skills Committee, “The Construction industry generates over $360 billion in revenue, producing around 9% of Australia’s Gross Domestic Product, and has a projected annual growth rate of 2.4% in the next five years.” This is enormous and something that needs to be assisted in an efficient manner.
Almost all construction activities have an impact of transport, including things such as:
- Parking. Where do tradies park their vehicles close enough to the site so they can easily carry their tools?
- Travel. How do workers get to and from the site?
- Deliveries. How are supplies delivered and unloaded?
- Transport. Does the development impact on public transport?
This article highlights our top five public transport considerations for construction planning to avoid unnecessary delays and to proactively mitigate the construction impacts on public transport early.
When we talk about public transport we mean:
- Roads. Is the development likely to have an impact on parking and cause significant congestion?
- Traffic Lights. Will the development impact on a set of traffic signals, is it within 100 metre of traffic lights?
- Buses. Do buses travel past and/or stop within the construction area?
- Pedestrians. Are pedestrians able to safely pass the construction zone?
- Cycling. Is the construction near dedicated cycling infrastructure or could it impact on cycling safely past or through the construction?
Clearly, the size and the location of the development will guide your construction planning and how much time you need to spend considering the above aspects. To avoid costly delays due to public transport issues, we suggest your construction planning understands and plans for the following:
Bus Operations – You should ask yourself the following questions. Will your construction activity impact on how local buses operate? Is there a bus stop that needs to be moved or adjusted? Can buses safely pass your construction site?
If your activity has the potential to impact on bus operations, we suggest you contact the local operators and/or the relevant government agencies that provides the bus services well before you commence construction.
Parking Impacts – Do you require the removal of parking or need to establish a construction zone? To make sure you can start work on time, you should contact the relevant road authority as you may have to obtain a Road Occupancy Licence (ROL) or approval from a Council Traffic Committee. Council planning processes can take time, we strongly recommend you commence this process ASAP.
To obtain such approvals, you may need to prepare a Road Occupancy Licence (ROL) application, a traffic and transport study, a Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP).
Pedestrians – are pedestrians able to move past or through your construction area safely? If pedestrian movements are impacted, what arrangements are required to ensure the continued movement of pedestrians around the work site in a safe and efficient manner. This information would be required in an ROL and/or CTMP.
Traffic – will the construction require a road closure, or will it increase traffic congestion and travel times? If you answer yes to either of these, you will probably need some approvals and the lead time for these can be extensive. We recommend you contact the relevant road authority as early as possible.
When can we work – if you answered yes to any of the above questions, there is a possibility that the construction works will only be permitted on certain days and at certain times. Again, early identification of the public transport impacts, mitigations and approvals will assist the construction planning process and avoid unforeseen and unnecessary delays.
How can we help?
Need a hand with understanding potential transport impacts? Check out our range of easy to use digital tools that take the hard work out of some construction planning activities, saving you time and money.
For more information on this article, please contact us at INFO@TRANSPORTTOOLKIT.COM
