Guidelines for land-use development
The Department of Transport released the Public Transport Guidelines for Land Use and Development as an information resource for councils, developers and consultants in 2008.
The guidelines aim to facilitate walking, cycling and public transport in new urban and regional developments.
Purpose of the guidelines
The guidelines show how development and infrastructure can be designed to encourage walking, cycling and the use of public transport. They emphasis that:
- safety is a critical (for example, the Victorian Government policy discourages new level crossings and they are unlikely to receive approval)
- public transport, walking and cycling should be given priority
- careful design will deliver an efficient transport network, improving service speeds and reliability
- proposals should be designed to expedite, not impede, public transport.
The guidelines will deliver broad community benefits, by:
- encouraging sustainable travel options
- alleviating traffic congestion
- improving urban amenity, connectivity and accessibility between communities, workplaces and urban centres.
What the guidelines cover
The guidelines set out design principles and provide advice on where to access detailed public transport and planning information. This includes advice on trains, trams, buses and interchanges. There is particular advice on:
- bus routes in new subdivisions
- road design
- walking and cycling
- design requirements for public transport infrastructure such as stops and parking facilities
- Disability Discrimination Act requirements for public transport.