Bruno Spandonide, Nick Holyoak, Branko Stazic, Rocco Zito Flinders UniversitySchool of Computer Science, Engineering and MathematicsNinti OneCooperative Research Centre for Remote Economic Participation
Active Deserts: Transport simulation in Alice Springs
Active transport: a wide definition
• Active transport is defined as physical activity undertaken as a means of transport and not purely as a form of recreation.
Simpson's Gap bike pathCourtesy Tourism NT
Rainbow ValleyCourtesy Tourism NT
Background of active transport in Alice Springs
Current situation
• Walking is the primary form of mobility for a high number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (strong socio-cultural significance).
• For non-ATSI people recreational uses dominate transport uses.
Figure 2 Cycling participation in past week by purpose and region (Austroads and Australian Bicycle Council 2013)
Network
• In Alice Springs the inner city infrastructure is dense.• It comprises 40km of shared walking and cycling paths,
split in four main corridors/routes (1.6m width). There is one priority crossing, and over 50km of usable non-shared footpath.
Shared footpath, courtesy: MPH Carpentry
Alice Active Transport Strengths
Weaknesses
• Limited intersections & dangerous crossings.
• Bottleneck at Heavytree Gap.
• No systematic access to town camps
Map from Northern Territory Department of Transport 2014
Methodology• Holistic cost benefit analysis with a combination of specific transport
initiatives and related assumptions of estimated active transport increase.
Copenhagen index
High rating Average rating Low Rating
Advocacy Infrastructures (network) Modal share increase
Culture Modal share Share programmes
Facilities Social acceptance Traffic calming
Gender split Urban planning
Infrastructures (path) Perception of safety (crossings)
Perception of safety (path)
Copenhagen index for evaluating low-powered transports in Alice Springs.
Alternative initiatives
Infrastructure New Tech Regulations/Planning
Extended infrastructures Smart tech equipment Bike sharing
Improved roundabouts Low-powered device Incentives
Parking facilities Fast recharge stations Education programs
Green wave Smart applications Integrated planning
High quality public amenities
Safety innovations Paid parking
Perception of safety (path) Speed reductions
Estimating costsInfrastructure New Tech Regulations/Planning
Extended integrated infrastructures
Smart tech equipment Bike sharing
Improved roundabouts Low-powered device Incentives
Parking facilities Fast recharge stations Education programs/community events
Green wave Smart applications Integrated planning
High quality public amenities
Safety innovations Paid parking
Perception of safety (path)
Speed reductions
Over 2,000/person/year 1-2,000/person/year
0-1,000/person/year
Estimating impactsInfrastructure New Tech Regulations/Planning
Extended integrated infrastructures
Smart tech equipment Bike sharing
Improved roundabouts Low-powered device Incentives
Parking facilities Fast recharge stations Education programs/community events
Green wave Smart applications Integrated planning
High quality public amenities
Safety innovations Paid parking
Perception of safety (path)
Speed reductions
6-8% increase 4-6% increase
2-4% increase 0-2% increase
Legend (maximum increase of 150% or 15% of active transport)
AssumptionsCost and benefit indicators
Details
Infrastructure The cost of 1 kilometre of stand-alone cycling track is between AUD150,000 and AUD300,000 per kmRetrofitting or adapting road or large footpath for the use of bicycle would be around half. Green wave and roundabout equipment are between AUD100,000 and AUD500,000.Increase in parking revenue is balanced by financial incentives for active transport.
Time Average additional time costs of 30 minutes per day are factored in (AUD20 per hour). It corresponds to AUD2,000 to AUD3,000 per year. This is reduced to 15% in the smart network scenario and 50% in the best case scenario.
Equipment Savings of AUD2,000 in not using a motorised vehicle.
Health, productivity, social and recreational, environmental and land value
AUD100-200 per year per person half shared with all inhabitants.AUD100-200 per year per person, shared with all inhabitants.AUD100-200 per year per person, shared with all inhabitants.
AUD25 (AUD3 per tonne of CO2) per year per person half shared with all inhabitants.AUD100-200 per year per person half shared with all inhabitants.
Scenarios
Scenario 1 Better network
Scenario 2 Enhanced smart network
Scenario 3 Cutting edge smart network
Infrastructure 60km of cycling and walking tracks. The major roundabout crossings are improved. Smart technologies are slowly introduced. Some additional education programs and events are organised.
60km of retrofitted cycling and walking tracks and 7km of new tracks. Key nodes are equipped with green wave technology and safe roundabouts. Smart technologies are available and motorised transport experience an average speed reduction of 10km/h.
60km of retrofitted cycling and walking tracks and 20-30km of new tracks. All the network is equipped with state of the art standards. Smart technologies are the norm and motorised transport experience an average speed reduction of 20km/h. Free bike sharing and demand responsive small scale automated public transport is financed by paid parking. The city centre is pedestrian only. The state funds new e-bikes purchase and workers can claim a tax reduction for active transport through a specific app.
2030 Impact Cycling and walking increase by 50% to reach 8-12% of the travel to work modal share (1,200 new daily users). Average speed is around 15km/hr.
Cycling and walking increase by 100% to reach 10%-15% of the transport modal share of travel to work (3,600 users, 2,400 new users). Car traffic drops by 10% to drop to 74% of the modal share. Average speed is around 17km/hr.
Cycling and walking increases by over 150% to reach 12-18% of the transport modal share (4,800 users). Car traffic drops by 15% to drop to 69% of the modal share (3,200 less users). Average speed is around 20km/hr.
Benefit Cost Analyses
Scenario 1 better network Scenario 2 enhanced smart network
Scenario 3 smart cutting edge network
Costs Infrastructure costs AUD10 million over 10 years.Time costs for non-motorised transport users is AUD3,000 per year (AUD48 million over 10 years).Total costs: AUD48 million
Infrastructure costs AUD20 million over 10 years.Time costs for non-motorised transport users is AUD60 million over 10 years).Total costs: AUD80 million
Infrastructure costs $25 million over 10 years.Time costs for non-motorised transport users is AUD48 million over 10 years).Total costs: AUD73 million
Benefits Savings on motorised transport AUD48 million over 10 years.Savings for health services, productivity, social and recreational activities, land value and environmental benefits are around AUD30 million over 10 years.Total benefits: AUD78 million
Savings on motorised transport AUD80 million over 10 years.Savings for health services, productivity, social and recreational activities, land value and environmental benefits are around AUD50 million over 10 years.Total benefits: AUD130 million
Savings on motorised transport AUD115 million over 10 years.Savings for health services, productivity, social and recreational activities, land value and environmental benefits are around AUD80 million over 10 years.Total benefits: AUD195 million
Ratio 1.34 1.62 2.6
Timeline and perspectives
Implications and conclusions• Active transport policy can effectively deliver high quality of
living in large remote Australian communities.• Initial investments required are low.• Detailed analyses of individual active transport initiatives
would allow to optimise active transport strategies.
Acknowledgements• This research is conducted by Flinders University, Ninti One and the
Cooperative Research Centre for Remote Economic Participation.
Contact:
Bruno SpandonideResearcherNinti OneCooperative Research Centre for Remote Economic ParticipationFlinders UniversityEmail: [email protected]
For further information Transport Futures Reports:
http://www.crc-rep.com.au/resource/CW026_PreferredTransportFuturesRemoteAustralia.pdf Spandonide B. 2015. Preferred transport futures in remote Australia. CRC-REP Working Paper CW026. Ninti One Limited, Alice Springs.
http://www.crc-rep.com.au/resource/CW017_TransportCostsInRemoteCommunities.pdfSpandonide B. 2014. Transport systems in remote Australia: Transport costs in remote communities. CRC-REP Working Paper CW0017. Ninti One Limited. Alice Springs.
