FAQs

The Low-Cost Urban Road Safety Program (URSP) is facilitated by Main Roads WA and aims to install low-cost road treatments that can improve the safety of local roads and intersections.

The URSP is fully-funded and supported by the Minister for Transport and the Minister for Road Safety through a $16 million commitment via the Road Trauma Trust Account. 

These treatments may include, mini and compact roundabouts, uncontrolled pedestrian crossing facilities, raised safety platforms, gateway, mid-block treatments and other safety measure.

Once project locations have been identified, Main Roads contact the Local Government Authority directly to collaborate on the next steps. For more information please visit the Main Road WA website to see the Urban Road Safety Framework.

There are a substantial portion of crashes that occur in local streets and intersections within the Local Government areas due to various factors, with speed the most contributing factor for severe crashes. To address these safety concerns on local roads, the State Government has developed a program called the “Low Cost Urban Road Safey Program” which is fully funded by State Government to reduce fatalities and serious injury crashes on local roads.

 The City, in collaboration with Main Roads WA, has identified two neighbourhood precincts, Subi East and Subiaco Station precincts, to implement area wide speed reduction to reduce the operating speed to 40km/h to improve safety for the wider community. There are several traffic calming measures proposed as part of this program as shown in the concept design.

 These two neighbourhood precincts were selected by Main Roads WA through its scoring system based on historical crash data and activity volume.

Pioneered in Sweden the Safe System philosophy is founded on:

• Ethics – no one should be killed on our road network.
• Crash Force – understanding the survivable forces of the human body in relation to crash types; and
• Human Error – accepting that humans are fallible and will continue to make mistakes.

Safe System is a road safety approach adopted by Federal and State Government that is promoted to Local Governments to generate improvements in road safety. The Safe System approach is underpinned by three guiding principles:

• people will always make mistakes on our roads but should not be killed or seriously injured as a consequence;
• there are known limits to the forces the human body can tolerate without being seriously injured; and
• the road transport system should be designed and maintained so that people are not exposed to crash forces beyond the limits of their physical tolerance.

Safe System principles require a holistic view of the road transport system and the interactions among roads and roadsides, travel speeds, vehicles and road users. This is an inclusive approach that caters for all groups using the road system, including drivers, motorcyclists, passengers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and commercial and heavy vehicle drivers. Consistent with a long-term road safety vision, it recognises that people will always make mistakes and may have road crashes, but the road system should be forgiving and those crashes should not result in death or serious injury.  

Survivability of crashes – the chances of surviving a crash decreases rapidly above certain impact speeds, depending on the nature of the collision:

Data source: Main Roads WA

The proposed treatments include entry statements at major intersections, a wombat crossing (on Station Street between the Subiaco Train Station and Coles Marketlane) raised plateaus at various locations, a mini-roundabout (corner of Subiaco and Coghlan Roads), associated speed reduction signs and line marking as shown on the attached concept plans. 

These treatments have been used in various other local government areas and proved its effectiveness in reducing vehicle speed. The locations of these proposed treatments were carefully selected to minimise any impact on adjacent properties, particularly in terms of vehicle access and egress.

Reduction of overall speed to 40km/h and creates a safer environment for all road users.

Traffic noise may increase slightly due to the raised plateaus. However, the increased noise level is expected to remain minimal, and within the acceptable limits

The scope of the work is:

• Installation of 40km/h speed signs in these two precincts.
• Installation of a mini roundabout on Subiaco and Coghlan Roads intersection.
• Installation of brick paved entry statements at seven intersections.
• Installation of raised plateaus with coloured asphalt combined at various road sections. 
• Installation of signs and line marking in accordance with Main Roads WA Guidelines.
• Installation of a raised wombat crossing on Station Street (see Subiaco Station  precinct concept plan)

No, the proposed raised plateaus are a low vertical profile traffic calming device which will not damage vehicles or bicycles travelling at specified speeds.

No. The traffic calming measures will allow passage of emergency vehicles without major disruptions.

A wombat crossing is a pedestrian (zebra) crossing on a raised platform. The platform is higher than the existing road level and typically at the same level of the footpath. The design of a wombat crossing means that pedestrians walk at the same level as they move from one side of the road to the other. Raised wombat crossings improve pedestrian safety and encourage motorists to slow down on approach to the crossing.

The works are expected to occur next financial year and take approximately 6 to 8 weeks, subject to weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances. The City will confirm the exact start and finish dates closer to the commencement of the project.

Works will take place between 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday (with weekend work if required). This will be communicated closer to the commencement of the project.

There will be some traffic delays and detours in place. However, access to properties will always be maintained. Traffic management will be in place during work hours.

Several roundabouts at various intersections, entry statements at Rupert and Salisbury Streets intersections with Heytesbury Road, raised plateaus in the mid-block sections of Townshend Road and Jersey Street, have been successfully installed within the City.

Please use this online form to provide your comments. 

Alternatively, you can send your feedback via email to city@subiaco.wa.gov.au or letter to 19 Bishop Street, Jolimont, WA 6014 by no later than Friday 1 March 2024. 

The City will evaluate all responses, and inform residents should it result in any substantial changes to the proposed works.

Please contact the City's Senior Technical Officer - Transport, Traffic and Development, Shoukot Osman, on city@subiaco.wa.gov.au (with the subject Urban Road Safety Program) or contact by phone on 9387 0965.