ITS Monday: Edition 35, 2020

Transport blueprint reveals two new metro lines for Sydney’s east

This report of the addition of two new Metro lines in Sydney mentions that they are associated with long-term planning, and they certainly aren’t kidding! It’s all connected the the NSW Government’s South East Sydney Transport Strategy.

How are consumer expectations and delivery preferences changing?

They’ve been changing for quite a while now, but, like in so many other areas of life COVID-19 if forcing change in the worlds of freight and logistics too. The findings in this article are from a survey by BluJay Solutions of more than 7,000 consumers in countries including Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

Planning expert says CBD downsizing will have major implications for cities

This from Dr Tony Matthews, Senior Lecturer in the School of Environment & Science and the Cities Research Institute at Griffith University. To paraphrase Bob Dylan, something is happening here, but we don’t know what it is. Yet. Not in a permanent way, but moves are being talked about or made already. ‘The opportunities for urban transformation are stronger than ever, with the loss of CBD activity giving rise to potential new populations in areas that will need careful consideration around issues of space, consumption patterns and so forth.’

Street design manual: Walkable neighbourhoods

A downloadable document, from the good folk at the Queensland Government, via the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia. Inside is:

• Guidelines relating primarily to the urban design of neighbourhoods, incorporating elements covering community design, the movement networks, the open space network, lot design, and centres
• Guidelines relating to the detailed design of neighbourhood infrastructure including traffic, streets, active transport, and services.

E ok: e-scooters are alright, but not on footpaths

On modern streets and footpaths, there’s a lot going on. Scooters, and particularly e-scooters are part of the new busyness. This article is from the Victoria Walks organisation, an advocate for walking as a healthy mode of transport. And it likes scooters … just not on it’s turf. Or concrete.

TfL urges children to walk, cycle and scoot to school

Kids are going back to school in the UK, and there has been quite a deal of debate about it. Be that as it may it as, at the time of writing still going ahead, and Transport for London are keen for kids and parents to get there under their own steam, rather than all piling into cars. On top of the encouragement of active transport TfL are also putting on a lot more bus services.

City of London corridor becomes a Streetspace

More London, more Transport for London, and more COVID-19-related action/reaction. One of central London’s major thoroughfares has been transformed into a place that prioritises people walking and cycling. New traffic restrictions between Shoreditch and London Bridge are part of Transport for London’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, which is helping to create more space for walking, improve cycling conditions and enable people to maintain social distancing, particularly at busy times.’

Arup unveils design recommendations for commercial corridors and public spaces in New York City impacted by COVID-19

We finish this week in New York. This is an entry by Arup in ‘Neighborhoods Now—an initiative launched by the Urban Design Forum and Van Alen Institute to support New York neighbourhoods heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic as they work to reopen and thrive over the coming months.’ As we move into the warmer parts of the year in Australia, and we remain with the spectre of COVID-19 in our lives, I would hope to be seeing some creativity around Australia poured into making our streetspaces safer.