Local Area Traffic Management plans
We are taking a local area approach when it comes to traffic and parking in order to help coordinate and integrate parking initiatives around the city.
What is a Local Area Traffic Management Plan (LATM)?
Each LATM is developed through a study process which:
- investigates traffic and parking conditions in local streets and areas
- involves the community in identifying issues and developing solutions
- considers the impacts of traffic management on an area-wide basis
- aims to improve the residential environment
LATM studies recognise that streets serve many functions, such as:
- providing for vehicle and pedestrian access to properties
- providing for the movement of vehicles within and through an area
- providing space for social interaction within a neighbourhood
- providing access for emergency and service vehicles
What are LATM precincts?
We identified 22 Local Area Traffic Management (LATM) precincts across the municipality based on:
- Physical barriers to movement, for example, creeks, arterial roads, freeways etc.
- Accessibility to major attractors, for example, activity centres, railway stations, schools etc.
- Impact of changes are generally contained within the LATM area, for example, increases in restrictions will result in changes in parking behaviour and these will need to be assessed in this context.
- Relationship to major transport facilities, for example, rail, tram and bus routes.
- Local demographics and neighbourhood character.
The use of LATM precincts allows us to address specific neighbourhood needs, whilst keeping an eye on the wider parking and traffic trends and issues across the municipality such as through traffic. It also enables us to have a systematic approach to particular traffic and parking challenges such as school zones, encourage parking demand to be spread throughout an area and plan for capital works associated with traffic and parking improvements more strategically.
When will you develop a LATM in my precinct?
The review of each LATM precinct is a lengthy process as it entails traffic and parking analysis as well as consultation with the local community. We are therefore reviewing two precincts per financial year.
Completed LATMs (2013/14):
Completed LATMs (2014/15):
Completed LATM (2015/16):
Current LATM (2016/17):
Current LATM (2017/18):
How does a LATM study work?
The LATM process involves a number of steps:
- Existing traffic and parking issues and opportunities are identified by considering community input and by collecting data. A Working Group of local residents and traders is also formed to assist Council officers and consultants.
- A draft Traffic Management Plan and a draft Parking Management Plan are then developed in consultation with the Working Group.
- These are circulated to the community for feedback.
- The feedback is considered, the plans are finalised and reported to Council.
Traffic Management Plan
The LATM study process is an approach to traffic planning that looks at the total effect of traffic management in a local area rather than isolated locations. In each LATM study, a Traffic Management Plan is developed which sets out solutions to traffic issues identified by the community and the consultant’s engineering investigations.
Parking Management Plan
The parking management component of a LATM study involves the collection of detailed parking occupancy data across the whole study area. Using the parking occupancy data and the parking issues identified by the community, the streets where any parking changes are warranted are determined based on our Parking Demand Management Framework. Our Kerbside Road Space User Hierarchy is then used to determine appropriate parking restrictions for each street. This is all included in a Parking Management Plan.
Working Group
Each LATM study includes an extensive community consultation process to involve the local community in identifying traffic and parking issues and provide opportunities for community feedback on the developed traffic and parking proposals. This includes the formation of a Working Group comprising community volunteers, Ward Councillors, Council officers and traffic engineering consultants.
The role of community volunteers is to provide local information, act as a contact for the local community and to provide feedback in the development of traffic and parking management plans for the area.
External Working Group selection criteria
A volunteer of the External Working Group must be a resident, business operator, worker or ratepayer within the study area. The following criteria will be used to assess nominations received by Council:
- Location
- Profession
- Resident or Trader (mix of the two)
- Feedback/demonstrated knowledge of local issues
- Expertise/reasons for wishing to participate
- A balanced or representative mix of issues (candidates showing an understanding of one or more of the following sets of issues):
- Traffic management, speeding and traffic volumes
- Parking management
- Road safety
- Pedestrian access and safety
- Cyclist access and safety