Proposed 40km/h High Pedestrian Activity Area (HPAA) for Royal North Shore Hospital Precinct

Willoughby Council and Transport for NSW are seeking your feedback before Monday 21 February 2022 (using the survey below) on a proposal to introduce a new 40km/h High Pedestrian Activity Area (HPAA) in the Royal North Shore Hospital precinct, St Leonards.

The Precinct generates significant pedestrian movements throughout the day in St Leonards Transport Interchange, Royal North Shore Hospital, adjacent residential blocks, Gore Hill Oval, retail & commercial, St Leonards TAFE NSW, and industrial land uses. The high pedestrian volumes and traffic volumes leads to safety risks for pedestrians which can lead to crashes resulting in fatalities and serious injuries.

The maximum speed limit is 40km/h at all times within the HPAA. Changes to the local road environment are proposed and designed to alert drivers to the lower speed limit and make them aware of the presence of pedestrians. The road environment treatments include gateway treatment, traffic calming devices, and new pedestrian crossing facility and associated signage and pavement markings.

Why the 40km/h speed limit?

Managing speed, in accordance with safe system principles, is a key component in managing pedestrian safety. Research and scientific analysis show that a pedestrian hit by a car travelling at 40 km/h has twice the chance of surviving the collision than if the car was travelling 50 km/h.

Travelling at speeds higher than 40 km/h greatly increases the risk of injury and death to pedestrians.

Where does the new 40km/h speed limit proposed?

The precinct comprises public roads surrounding the hospital including Herbert Street, Frederick Street, Reserve Road and Westbourne Street, as well as the private roads within Royal North Shore Hospital grounds.

The HPAA 40km/h speed zones have been proposed on the following roads:

• Herbert Street (between Pacific Highway and just north of Frederick Street);
• Frederick Street (between Herbert Street and 2 Frederick Street);
• Reserve Road (from Pacific Highway to the Hospital ground);
• Westbourne Street (from Pacific Highway to the hospital ground); and
• All private roads within the RNSH grounds.

The map attached details location of the 40 km/h High Pedestrian Activity Area and entry and exit treatments.

The treatment has been developed in accordance with Transport for NSW guidelines for “High Pedestrian Activity Areas”.

What are the lower speed environment treatments proposed?

The proposed 40 km/h HPAA treatments are:

• At grade tactile paver treatment at gateways or entry points to the 40 HPAA; and
• New pedestrian crossing facility on Herbert Street adjacent to Lanceley Avenue/Herbert Street bridge intersection.

What happens next?

All comments and suggestions will be taken into consideration and will contribute to finalise the proposal. Community feedback will guide whether the proposal is forwarded to the Local Traffic Committee for consideration and Council for a final decision.

Residents can monitor the progress of a proposal by reviewing the agenda of the Traffic Committee meetings. Meetings are typically held every two months and published on Council’s website. The agenda contains projects that, following community consultation, are progressed to the Traffic Committee for consideration and Council for a final decision. The Traffic Committee agendas can be accessed by the link below.

https://www.willoughby.nsw.gov.au/Council/Council-meetings/Committees/Traffic-Committee

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