Pedestrian safety audits for schools

- Glen Eira - New pedestrian fencing at St James College

Each year, pedestrian safety audits are undertaken for at least two schools in Glen Eira. The review, conducted by an independent senior road safety auditor, identifies any deficiencies that may currently exist around the school and also on the walking and cycling routes to and from the school. Recommendations are then provided to remedy the problem such as:

  • Installation of pedestrian fencing;
  • Installation of kerb ramps; and
  • Installation of signage and linemarking.

 

 

Pedestrian safety reviews for shopping centres

- Glen Eira - New painted median on Glen Huntly Road, Elsternwick

Each year a pedestrian safety review is undertaken for at least one major shopping centre in Glen Eira. The review, conducted by an independent senior road safety auditor, identifies any deficiencies that may currently exist and provides recommendations to remedy the problem.  Following a recent review for Elsternwick the following improvements have been undertaken:

  • A painted median has been installed;
  • A splitter island has been constructed;
  • Flashing pedestrian lights for Horne Street have been installed; and
  • A 40km/h speed limit will be implemented.       

 

 

Automatic activation of pedestrian phasing at traffic signals

Religious observance prevents orthodox Jewish pedestrians from pressing the push button to activate the walk phases at traffic signals on the Sabbath and holy days. This created a situation where Jewish pedestrians may have crossed the road while a red man is displayed, which has obvious consequences for road safety and enforcement.  

 

Council and VicRoads have therefore reprogrammed 15 traffic signals within Glen Eira to ensure the pedestrian phase is provided for every cycle instead of a person needing to push the button.  President of the Jewish Community Council of Victoria John Searle said “The project is a wonderful example of the co-operation that exists between our community, Victoria Police and Council.”

 

- Glen Eira - new automated pedestrian signal in Caulfield North

 

Photo: President of the Jewish Community Council of Victoria John Searle, Inspector Margaret Lewis from Caulfield Police and Glen Eira Councillor Helen Whiteside test out the new automated pedestrian signals at the Kooyong Road / Inkerman Road intersection on Caulfield North 

 

 

Star Rating System for Pedestrian Walking Routes

Council assisted in a pilot program for the star-rating system being undertaken by Caulfield Community Health Service (CCHS) and Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC).

CCHS has been supporting active travel (walking, cycling) in primary schools in conjunction with VicHealth. One of the key barriers to achieving higher participation in active travel has been found to be parental concern regarding pedestrian safety in the vicinity of schools.

The star-rating system rates the safety of individual road crossing points between 0-5 stars. The ratings can be used to encourage children to walk along routes with higher safety levels, as well as provide communities with a rational basis for advocating for safety improvements that will raise the ratings to at least four stars. 

The next phase of the star-rating system involves extending on trial findings to increase the systems accuracy and making the tool publicly available via an appropriate website.

Reducing Speed Limits within Shopping Precincts

The City of Glen Eira is committed to improving road safety as outlined in its Road Safety Strategy.
In Glen Eira, Koornang Road (Carnegie Shopping Centre) and Glen Huntly Road (Elsternwick and Caulfield South Shopping Centres) are 40km/h zones. The 40km/h zones aim to reduce vehicle speeds in these high pedestrian activity centres to provide a safer walking environment.

Council continues to advocate for 40km/h zones in a number of other shopping centres in Glen Eira.

 

Interpretive Trails

- Glen Eira - Hopetoun Walk imageAlongside the many informal paths and trails walkers can enjoy in Glen Eira, there are a number of specific interpretive trails, guided by interesting and informative brochures.

You can download or pick up a brochure from the Caulfield Town Hall and enjoy the Hopetoun Gardens tree walk, the Rosstown Rail Trail or the historic Mallanbool Reserve interpretive walk.

Travel Smart

The City of Glen Eira TravelSmart map was developed by the Department of Transport and the Glen Eira City Council to provide sustainable transport information on a pocket-sized street map.