A/Director Metropolitan Projects Senior Engineer – Metropolitan Projects

The ability to implement level access stop solutions on Melbourne’s tram network to improve accessibility and meet the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 legislative requirements without impacting on the traffic capacity of the arterial road network is severely restricted. The objective of the Bridge Road Easy Access tram stop project was to develop a solution to provide level access to trams on four lane undivided arterial roads without compromising the traffic carrying capacity of the road or safety. The concept pursued on Bridge Road as a Demonstration Project was the Easy Access stop solution. Easy Access Stops involve raising the kerbside lane by 290mm in such a manner to tie in with the footpath and meet the floor of an adjacent tram. The central lane where trams operate remains at existing level, while tram passengers wait on the footpath. This provides level access from the footpath onto trams, while maintaining two lanes of traffic (during clearway operating hours). Figure 1 below depicts the final outcome. A comprehensive post opening study was undertaken, the results of which indicate that the primary objectives of providing accessibility without compromising traffic capacity or safety were successfully achieved