WATERFALL WAY DRAFT CORRIDOR STRATEGY - July 2017 - Roads and Maritime ...
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B78 WATERFALLWAY DRAFT CORRIDOR STRATEGY
JULY 2017
WATERFALL WAY
DRAFT CORRIDOR STRATEGY
July 2017
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Waterfall
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DRAFT
CORRIDOR
STRATEGY
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B78 WATERFALL WAY DRAFT CORRIDOR STRATEGY
JULY 2017
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
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Heading east through Bellingen Main Street
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during consultation will inform future planning,
The Waterfall Way Corridor is
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final actions will be subject to government
located in Northern NSW and priorities and funding availability.
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extends from the Pacific Highway
The Waterfall Way provides:
at Raleigh to the New England
• The Waterfall Way is an important transport
Highway at Armidale a distance of
corridor, providing an east – west connection
170km. Traffic volumes along the between the Pacific and New England
Waterfall Way vary in the rural highways. It connects rural communities to the
urban centres of Coffs Harbour and Armidale
sections from around 750 vehicles
• It is a tourist route passing the waterfalls on the
per day (vpd) between Dorrigo Dorrigo Mountain and provides access to the
and Ebor to over 6,700vpd Dorrigo National Park
between the Pacific Highway and • A transport route for the timber and
Bellingen. agricultural industries.
Key customers along the corridor include:
This draft sets out the proposed strategic vision to
manage and guide development of the Waterfall • Commuters; trips to urban centres, such as
Way road corridor to improve safety, traffic Coffs Harbour, for employment and education
efficiency and sustainability. There is no • Longer personal and work related educational,
commitment to, or funding for, proposed actions health, recreational and business trips;
identified in this draft. While feedback received including to and from regional and interstate
locations
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B78 WATERFALL WAY DRAFT CORRIDOR STRATEGY
JULY 2017
• Heavy and light freight movements generally • 88 per cent of the length between the Pacific
between industrial (including agriculture) and Highway and Bellingen, a distance of 12km, has
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
commercial centres including to or from shoulder widths
B78 WATERFALL WAY DRAFT CORRIDOR STRATEGY
JULY 2017
Proposed actions • Implement road safety initiatives to address
identified and emerging crash types and
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
• Improve safety on the one lane sections of the locations. Particularly crashes that occur on
Dorrigo Mountain. curves, those that are a result of speed, wet
surface or those that involve motorcyclists.
• Install permanent Vehicle Activated Signage at
appropriate high risk locations. • Carry out a route safety review between
Dorrigo and Armidale.
• Improve provision of information along the
corridor to better inform road customers on • Carry out an audit and assessment of bridges
changing traffic conditions. along the corridor suitable for widening and
investigate options to improve safety on a
• Progressively improve the formation width, by
priority basis:
widening sealed shoulder and improving lane
widths on a priority basis particularly between: –– Sandy Creek Bridge
–– The Pacific Highway and Bellingen –– Bakers Creek Bridge
–– Ebor and Kempsey Road (Wollomombi). –– Pipe Culvert unnamed creek near
fish hatchery.
• Upgrade table drains between Bellingen and
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Dorrigo Mountain top to improve pavement
drainage and upgrade pavement width
• Address identified high risk slopes on a priority
basis particularly between Bellingen and the
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where appropriate. Dorrigo Mountain top.
• Develop a strategy to widen pavements to • Develop and implement management plans
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meet network targets. and rehabilitation of identified defective
• Investigate and implement edgelines on a culverts on a priority basis to manage high
priority basis. risk locations.
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• Progressively treat high risk isolated curves on • Work with council to investigate opportunities
the route to reduce the relatively high to improve flood immunity level and
proportion of off road on curve crashes; route reliability.
particularly west of Thora near Darkwood Road • Plan for minor realignment and formation
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and between Ebor and Armidale. widening between the Pacific Highway and
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• Review and rationalise existing rest stop Bellingen including accommodating for active
opportunities with better signage. transport users.
• Implement identified clear zones works to • Investigate and plan widening of Myers Bluff
remove or provide protection from hazards and the Gordonville realignment.
including culverts within the clear zone taking • Improve the operation and standard of key
into consideration the road geometry and intersections, incorporating heavy vehicle
environment/land use constraints particularly turning paths where necessary to increase
between Dorrigo and Ebor. efficiency and safety including but not
• Strengthen pavement and carry out pavement limited to:
repair work along the corridor on a priority –– Ebor Rd/Guyra Road intersection
basis particularly between the Pacific Highway –– Waterfall Way/Armidale Road intersection
and Bellingen.
–– Kentucky Street/Dangar Street
• Incorporate high visibility line marking, raised
–– Waterfall Way/Miller Street intersection.
pavement markers and fluorescent signage to
assist motorists during times of fog and rain,
where appropriate.
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B78 WATERFALL WAY DRAFT CORRIDOR STRATEGY
JULY 2017
• Continue to minimise and balance impacts to • Review centre-line marking and consider
the natural environment and incorporate removing overtaking opportunities less than
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
environment aspects in all future projects. the appropriate standard.
• Work with Armidale Regional Shire Council to • Investigate and implement pull over bays in
develop a strategic traffic model to determine areas between Thora and Dorrigo to improve
whole of network solutions addressing traffic Level of Service, where appropriate.
and transport issues within Armidale. • Continue to develop and implement the
• Improve eastbound and westbound overtaking Bellingen main street upgrade.
opportunities between the Pacific Highway and
Bellingen.
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B78 WATERFALL WAY DRAFT CORRIDOR STRATEGY
JULY 2017
CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES
CONTENTS
1 INTRODUCTION AND Figure 1-1 Waterfall Way location map 3
CORRIDOR DESCRIPTION 2 Figure 3-1 Waterfall Way Corridor Planning
1.1 Why a corridor strategy? 2 Sections 11
1.2 Corridor function 2 Figure 3-2 Crash concentration map Pacific
1.3 Current population and employment in Highway to Ebor 13
the corridor 4
Figure 3-3 Crash concentration map Ebor
1.4 Industry and economic development 4
to Armidale 13
1.5 Traffic volumes and heavy vehicles 5
1.6 Public and active transport in the corridor 5 Figure 3-4 Waterfall Way Crash Summaries 14
Figure 3-5 Waterfall Way Rest Areas 15
2 A VISION FOR THE FUTURE Figure 3-6 Waterfall Way – traffic count
AND CORRIDOR OBJECTIVES 8 locations 2015 17
2.1 Corridor vision 8 Figure 3-7 Waterfall Way – daily traffic
2.2 Corridor objectives 8 volumes 2015 17
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CURRENT CORRIDOR
Figure 3-8 Waterfall Way overtaking lanes 22
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Figure 3-9 Waterfall Way curvature 25
PERFORMANCE 10
Figure 3-10 Waterfall Way grades 25
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3.1 Corridor planning sections and Road
Hierarchy 10 Figure 3-11 Waterfall Way Sealed Pavement
3.2 Road Safety 12 Width 26
3.3 Traffic 16 Figure 3-12 Waterfall Way Flood locations 28
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3.4 Road Geometry 24
Figure 3-13 Waterfall Way high priority culverts 29
3.5 Environment 34
Figure 3-14 Waterfall Way high priority slopes 30
4 CORRIDOR CHALLENGES Figure 3-15 Pavement Health Index
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AND PROPOSED ACTIONS 36 (State Network Roads 2R and 4R) 32
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4.1 Short-term (0-5 years) 37 Figure 3-16 Pavement Health Index
4.2 Medium-term (5-10 years) 40 (Waterfall Way) 32
4.3 Long-term (10-20 years) 42 Figure 3-17 Condition Snapshot
(State Network Roads 2R and 4R) 33
5 COMMUNITY CONSULTATION 46 Figure 3-18 Condition Snapshot
(Waterfall Way) 33
REFERENCES 48 Figure 3-19 National parks, State forests, State
Heritage and other protected areas 34
APPENDICES 49
1 Austroads classification system 49
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1 INTRODUCTION AND CORRIDOR
DESCRIPTION
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Positional only
awaiting photo
Heading east past Sherrard Falls
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B78 WATERFALL WAY DRAFT CORRIDOR STRATEGY
JULY 2017
1 INTRODUCTION AND CORRIDOR DESCRIPTION
INTRODUCTION AND CORRIDOR DESCRIPTION
1.1 Why a corridor strategy? regarding the impact of the increase in truck
movements due to the Megan Quarry expansion.
Transport for NSW (TfNSW) and Roads and The quarry expansion was linked to the haulage of
Maritime Services (Roads and Maritime) are materials to the Pacific Highway upgrade between
progressively preparing network and corridor Nambucca Heads and Urunga.
strategies to cover every State Road in regional
The Waterfall Way is a vital transport corridor, an
NSW as a response to the challenge of how to best
east west connection between two of the major
manage transport infrastructure to maximise
highways in NSW, the Pacific Highway and the
benefits for our customers. Network and corridor
New England Highway. It provides connections
strategies provide the following benefits for the
between the rural communities of Bellingen,
State Road Network in regional NSW:
Dorrigo and Ebor with the urban centres of Coffs
• A plan for network/corridor improvement with Harbour and Armidale, it is a tourist route passing
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consideration to all modes of transport the waterfalls on the Dorrigo Mountain and it
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provides a transport route for the timber and
• Transparency to the community, councils and
agricultural industries.
other government agencies with regard to
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planning and investment decisions The Mid North Coast Regional Transport Plan
• Consistency in planning, management and identified the need to upgrade the Waterfall Way
operation of roads between the Pacific Highway and Connells Creek
to improve flood immunity, road safety and road
• Facilitate the integration of road safety, traffic
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surface conditions.
and asset maintenance projects.
The New England North West Regional Transport
This draft sets out the proposed strategic vision to
Plan identified the need for future works on the
manage and guide development of the Waterfall
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Dorrigo Mountain.
Way road corridor to improve safety, traffic
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efficiency and sustainability. There is no
commitment to, or funding for, proposed actions
1.2 Corridor function
identified in this draft. While feedback received
during consultation will inform future planning,
The Waterfall Way is 170 kilometres in length and
final actions will be subject to government
extends from the Pacific Highway at Raleigh to the
priorities and funding availability.
New England Highway at Armidale.
This corridor strategy is in line with the NSW Long
The Waterfall Way passes through the Mid North
Term Transport Master Plan (LTTMP)1, the NSW
Coast and New England North West Long Term
Freight and Ports Strategy (FPS), Mid North Coast2
Transport Master Plan regions.
and New England North West3 Regional Transport
Plans (RTPs) and other State planning frameworks.
In 2014 Roads and Maritime worked with the
Centre for Road Safety to complete a road safety The Waterfall Way is 170 kilometres
review of the Waterfall Way which was published
in length and extends from the
in September 2014. The review was completed for
the section of the Waterfall Way between the Pacific Highway at Raleigh to the
Pacific Highway at Raleigh and Dorrigo. The review New England Highway at Armidale
was a result of concerns raised by the community
1. Transport for NSW, December 2012, Long Term Transport Master Plan, TfNSW Sydney
2. Transport for NSW, December 2013, Mid North Coast Regional Transport Plan, TfNSW Sydney
3. Transport for NSW, December 2013, New England North West Regional Transport Plan, TfNSW Sydney
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B78 WATERFALL WAY DRAFT CORRIDOR STRATEGY
JULY 2017
Figure 1-1 Waterfall Way location map
INTRODUCTION AND CORRIDOR DESCRIPTION
B76
B76
0 25 50
Kilometres y Grafton
a
Gw y dir High w
B76 Glen Innes
Pa
Inverell
cific
Wooli
Hi g
LEGEND hw
Major centres A15 Mid North Coast
ay
Key towns
State Road Woolgoolga
Regional Road
Railway Guyra A1
LTTMP Regions
Sub network rank Coffs
2R B78 Dorrigo Harbour
4R Ebor
Waterfall Way
Armidale Bellingen
B78 Urunga
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ay
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Uralla
hw
Nambucca Heads
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Macksville
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ng New England
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N North West
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Bendemeer A1
B56 O x ley Walcha
High
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Tamworth Kempsey
A15
The Waterfall Way passes directly through orB56
next The Waterfall Way performs an important role as
to the following towns and local government areas: an east-west link between the Pacific and the New
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England Highways. The region encompasses the
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• Bellingen and Dorrigo, within Bellingen Shire traditional lands of the Gumbaynggirr,
• Clarence Valley Nganyaywana and Dunghutti people.
• Armidale and Ebor within Armidale Regional. The Waterfall Way provides:
The Waterfall Way intersects with: • A route for inter-regional business, tourism and
• The Pacific Highway at Raleigh – connecting leisure travel between the New England
Sydney to the Queensland border Tablelands and the coastal area surrounding
Coffs Harbour. It also forms part of the road
• The New England Highway at Armidale – connection to other mid north coast villages to
connecting Newcastle to the Queensland the north and south of Raleigh and the mid
border. north coast hinterland
Although not specifically identified as a major • Access to the villages along the corridor for
regional infrastructure link, the Waterfall Way is tourism, commuter trips and business trips
identified as a significant component of the • A supporting route between Bellingen, an
regional transport network in the Mid North Coast urban centre, and the major regional centre of
Regional Strategy4. Coffs Harbour
• Supporting access to the regional centre of
Armidale for tourism, eduction and
business services.
4. Transport for NSW, December 2013, Mid North Coast Regional Transport Plan, TfNSW Sydney
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B78 WATERFALL WAY DRAFT CORRIDOR STRATEGY
JULY 2017
Table 1-1 Population LGA and urban centre demographics
INTRODUCTION AND CORRIDOR DESCRIPTION
LGA % Forecast
LGA % LGA % Main
LGA Labour 2031 LGA
2011 LGA Urban 2011 Urban Aged Aged employment
LGA Median force population
Population Centres Population over 65 0-14 by industry in
age employed and %
years years the LGAs
full time change
School
Bellingen 3038 Education,
Cafes,
Restaurants
and
12,800
Bellingen 12,518 19.9% 19.5% 46 46.4% Takeaway
0.2%
food
Dorrigo 1072 services,
Hospitals
and
Agriculture
Clarence
Valley*
Tertiary
Education,
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Armidale Cafes, 31,650
24,105 Armidale 19,818 14.4% 18.9% 32 54.7%
Regional Restaurants, 1.3%
Takeaway
food services
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and
Agriculture
Total 36,623 23,928
NSW State
14.7% 19.3% 38 60.2%
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average
* Clarence Valley only covers a small proportion of the Waterfall Way with no towns in the vicinity. To include population data would misrepresent the
population living along the corridor
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1.3 Current population and 1.4 Industry and economic
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employment in the corridor development
An estimated 37,000 people live in the immediate The corridor has a diverse economy and the
vicinity of the Waterfall Way corridor, with about Waterfall Way is a road used by the tourism and
24,000 of this number in major regional towns and primary production sectors. At the western end of
centres including Bellingen, Dorrigo and Armidale the corridor there is a strong education based
(2011 ABS Census). Population and employment economy, centred on the University of New
figures for each town are shown in Table 1-1. England. Primary production is a strong economic
sector within the corridor, in particular west of
The median age in Bellingen Shire is higher than Bellingen. The primary production of fine and
the NSW State average, while the large number of superfine wool, merino sheep breeding and cattle
university students in the Armidale area lowers the and lamb production are particularly significant
median age. components of the corridor’s primary industry.
The major employment by industries along the There are two operational hard rock quarries
corridor include education, hospitality directly accessed by the route on the Dorrigo
and agriculture. Plateau with a third currently dormant. There are
also gold mining and antimony reserves. Tourism is
The population projections from the Department also a large economic sector in the corridor with
of Planning & Environment shows small growth of an abundance of parks and natural features
0.2 per cent for the Bellingen LGA and a larger including waterfalls, gorges and mountains, and
growth rate of 1.3 per cent for the Armidale LGA. native flora and fauna attracting visitors to the
corridor.
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1.5 Traffic volumes and heavy School bus services
vehicles
INTRODUCTION AND CORRIDOR DESCRIPTION
School bus routes are provided within and
Average Daily Traffic (ADT) volumes along the between each of the major towns and centres
Waterfall Way vary in the rural sections from along the Waterfall Way corridor. These bus routes
around 750 vehicles per day (vpd) between provide a service for students who live within the
Dorrigo and Ebor to over 6,700 vpd between the towns and in agricultural areas between the towns.
Pacific Highway and Bellingen. In the urban Busways operate a number of school bus services
centres, average daily traffic volumes range from in the Raleigh and Bellingen areas.
2,500 vpd in Dorrigo and 5,411 vpd in Armidale to
6,600 vpd in Bellingen.
Heavy vehicle volumes are higher closer to the
Coaches
coast with numbers decreasing west of Dorrigo
Kean’s Travel Express provides a coach service
with the exception of Armidale (refer to appendix 1
between Armidale and Coffs Harbour that stops at
for vehicle classification):
Ebor, Dorrigo and Bellingen.
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Bellingen: 400 (6.1%) (301 rigid vehicles and
99 articulated vehicles)
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Rail services
• Dorrigo: 171 (6.8%) (131 rigid vehicles and
40 articulated vehicles)
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Countrylink’s Sydney to Brisbane XPT stops at
• Ebor: 98 (9.7%) (64 rigid vehicles and 34 both Urunga and Coffs Harbour and provide
articulated vehicles) services between Brisbane and Sydney.
• Armidale: 417 (7.1%) (329 rigid vehicles and Countrylink’s Armidale Xplorer Sydney to Armidale
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88 articulated vehicles). train service runs daily in each direction and
Countrylink offer a connecting coach service at
1.6 Public and active transport in Armidale to towns north and west of Armidale.
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Air services
Public bus services Armidale Regional Airport is the only airport
located in the towns along the Waterfall Way.
Public transport in the corridor is generally Although no airports are located at the eastern
restricted to urban areas. Very few of the towns end of the corridor, Raleigh is in close proximity to
located along the Waterfall Way have local bus Coffs Harbour Regional Airport.
services due to small populations. The bus services
that do operate along the Waterfall Way are There are currently two carriers (Qantas and Rex)
identified below: that service Armidale Regional Airport and five
carriers (QantasLink, Virgin Australia, Tigerair,
• Busways offer a number of local bus services Pelican and Fly Corporate) that service Coffs
including six a day between Bellingen and Coffs Harbour Regional Airport.
Harbour on weekdays and two a day on
Saturdays (Routes 361 and 358).
• Edwards Coaches operate a number of local
bus services in Armidale.
Public transport in the corridor is
generally restricted to urban areas.
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Active Transport Armidale Regional
Armidale Regional Council Bicycle Strategy and
INTRODUCTION AND CORRIDOR DESCRIPTION
As with bus services, dedicated infrastructure for
Action Plan was adopted in 2012. The strategy
walking and cycling is generally restricted to urban
seeks to improve the bicycle network within the
centres where there is higher demand for such
local government area with respect to:
infrastructure. Between towns, a sealed road
shoulder provides a minimum standard facility for • Coherence
bicycle travel. AUSTROADS (2010)5 recommends a
• Directness
two to three metre sealed shoulder width where a
speed limit is up to 100km/h. • Safety
• Comfort
About 94 per cent of the Waterfall Way has sealed
shoulders less than the recommended minimum • Equal access for all user groups in
sealed width. The Regional Transport Plans identify the community.
actions to improve opportunities for cycling and
Roads and Maritime will continue to work with
walking in urban sections of the corridor.
local councils to improve the facilities and
infrastructure for active transport users particularly
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Bellingen Shire Council has a draft Pedestrian
Accessibility and Mobility Plan and Bicycle Plan6
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that was adopted in 2015. The key
findings included:
Roads and Maritime will continue
to work with local councils
• Lack of footpaths/shared paths
to improve the facilities and
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• Poor pedestrian and cycle linkages
infrastructure for active transport
• Footpath obstructions
users particularly in urban centres.
• Poor quality footpath surfaces
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• Missing pedestrian links and crossings.
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Bellingen shire has developed the Bellingen Main
Street Plan, the plan seeks to:
1. ‘Keep Bello Real’ by making streetscapes that
are lively, quirky and green, and which support
the community’s unique identity
2. Create a friendly and walkable town centre, a
place which allows everyone to move around
easily.7
5. Austroads 2010, Geometre Design, Austroads Guide to Road Design, Part 3, AGRD03/10, Austroads, Sydney, NSW
6. http://www.bellingen.nsw.gov.au/sites/bellingen/files/public/images/documents/bellingen/Council/On%20Exhibition/A%20-%20Draft%20PAMP%20
and%20Bike%20Plan.pdf
7. Bellingen Shire Council, The Bellingen Main Street Plan, July 2015
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Draft only: actions subject to government priorities and funding availability2 A VISION FOR THE FUTURE AND
CORRIDOR OBJECTIVES
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Heading east down Dorrigo Mountain
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2 A VISION FOR THE FUTURE AND CORRIDOR
OBJECTIVES
A VISION FOR THE FUTURE AND CORRIDOR OBJECTIVES
2.1 Corridor vision
Safe System principles
The vision for the Waterfall Way between the
Pacific Highway at Raleigh and the New England A holistic view of the road transport system
Highway at Armidale over the next 20 years is to: and the interactions among roads and
roadsides, travel speeds, vehicles and road
• Provide a safer route for all road users with the users. It is an inclusive approach that caters
Safe System approach adopted for all groups using the road system, including
• Provide an accessible and efficient route to drivers, motorcyclists, passengers, pedestrians,
support the tourist link between the Mid North cyclists, and commercial and heavy vehicle
Coast and the New England regions of NSW, as drivers. It recognises that people will always
well as a commuter link between Dorrigo, make mistakes and may have road crashes -
but the system should be forgiving and
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Bellingen and Coffs Harbour
Support regional development by maintaining a
those crashes should not result in death or
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serious injury.
reliable link for key freight movements and all
road users.
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2.2 Corridor objectives
Table 2-1 Waterfall Way Corridor Objectives
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NSW Long Term Transport
Waterfall Way Corridor Objectives
Master Plan objectives
Manage the effect of flooding.
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Improve travel reliability between the Pacific Highway and Dorrigo.
Improve liveability/
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Reduce social Improving road widths and overtaking opportunities to safely cater for the current
disadvantage and forecast traffic volumes.
Address the active transport needs of cyclist, pedestrians and public transport users
in key towns and regional centres.
Maintain the road in a sustainable manner to reduce whole of lifecycle costs.
Customer - improve quality of service
Economic growth /
productivity Support key freight movements along the corridor, in particular those movements
associated with agricultural, timber and quarry activities.
Maintaining travel smoothness along Dorrigo Mountain and improve delineation
safety in locations affected by fog and low cloud.
Improve access to and from major regional facilities, as well as between existing and
developing residential and commercial areas.
Regional development /
accessibility Minimise disruption to road users resulting from planned and unplanned road
closures, recognising in particular the needs of isolated communities and those
sections of the route which have no alternative access.
Maintain adequate access for emergency services during major flooding events and
natural disasters (i.e. lane slippages) support local Emergency Management Plans.
Improve sustainability Manage the impacts of road projects on the natural environment.
Enhance road safety for all road users over the length of the corridor by
implementing the Safe System approach to the design and management of the road
Safety and security
particularly by progressively improving sections of poor alignment, steep grades and
narrow pavement.
Improve transport Working with Bellingen, Clarence Valley and Armidale Regional councils and
integration process stakeholders to provide a road that meets current and future transport needs.
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Advisory speed warning sign, Fernbrook loop Road
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3 CURRENT CORRIDOR PERFORMANCE
CURRENT CORRIDOR PERFORMANCE
TfNSW and Roads and Maritime measure and 3.1 Corridor planning sections and
monitor roads performance against network
road hierarchy
performance measures and targets. Network
measures enable current and future performance
For strategic planning purposes, the Road Network
to be assessed. Network planning targets
Management Hierarchy is used to rank all roads
are either:
across the State Road Network according to their
• Network wide targets – condition targets that relative importance, with class 6 routes of the
apply to the entire network, unless highest strategic importance and class 1 routes of
otherwise specified the lowest strategic importance. Waterfall Way is
classified as a class 4 rural road (4R) between the
• Rural planning targets that apply to regional
Pacific Highway and Bellingen and a class 2 rural
NSW, not including Wollongong, the Central
road (2R) between Bellingen and the New England
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Coast, Newcastle and Sydney.
Highway at Armidale. This hierarchy is directly
linked to the Roads and Maritime subnetwork
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To assess the Waterfall Way’s current corridor
performance, the following sources have been ranking system used for asset management. Both
used: hierarchies are consistent in order to meet the
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objectives of providing an integrated road
• Network Performance Measures and Network management framework.
Planning Targets8
Road segmentation is needed so planning targets
• Network and Corridor Planning Practice Notes.9
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can be tailored to specific areas to respond to
The summary represents the current corridor changes in nearby land use, terrain and property
performance and is grouped into four sections: access arrangements. Planning sections are
manageable lengths of road that are uniform in
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1. Road safety nature.
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2. Traffic For the purpose of this analysis, the Waterfall Way
corridor has been divided into ten corridor
3. Road geometry
planning sections. These are shown in Table 3-1
4. Pavement condition. (Mapped in Figure 3-1).
Waterfall Way and Miller Street intersection, Armidale
8. Roads and Maritime Services 2010, Network Performance Measures and Network Planning Targets, RMS Sydney
9. Roads and Maritime Services 2008, Network and Corridor Planning Practice Notes, RMS, Sydney
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Table 3-1 Waterfall Way Corridor Planning Sections
CURRENT CORRIDOR PERFORMANCE
Land Chainage (km)
use
Length Road
Corridor planning section Description (rural
(km) Hierarchy
or From To
urban)
Pacific Highway to Pacific Highway, Raleigh to East of
1 R 0 11.441 11.441 4
Bellingen Prince St, Bellingen
East of Prince St, Bellingen to
2 Bellingen U 11.441 12.143 0.702 4
Coronation St, Bellingen
Coronation St, Bellingen to Bridge
3 Bellingen to Thora R 12.143 25.756 13.613 2
over Bellinger River, Thora
Bridge over Bellinger River, Thora
4 Thora to Dorrigo R 25.756 39.79 14.034 2
to Casuarina Street, Dorrigo
Casuarina St, Dorrigo to Oak St,
5 Dorrigo U 39.79 42.001 2.211 2
n
tio r Dorrigo
ta o
Oak St, Dorrigo to Bridge over
6 R 42.001 70.231 28.23 2
Coutts Water
Dorrigo to Grafton
Road
ul t f
Bridge over Coutts Water to
7 R 70.231 77.949 7.718 2
Grafton Road
Grafton Road to Guyra
8 Grafton to Road to Guyra Road R 77.949 91.039 13.09 2
Road (including Ebor)
ns af
Guyra Road to Guyra Road to East of Tombs Rd,
9 R 91.039 162.948 71.909 2
Armidale Armidale
East of Tombs Rd, Armidale to
10 Armidale U 162.948 170.217 7.269 2
r
New England Highway, Armidale
co D
Total B76 170.217
B76
y Grafton
a
Gw y dir High w
Figure 3-1 Waterfall
B76 Way Corridor Planning Sections
Glen Innes
Inverell
Wooli
Pacif
LEGEND Corridor planning sections
ic
A15 Mid North Coast Hi
Major centres 1 6
gh
way
Key towns 2 7
State Road 3 8 Woolgoolga
Regional Road 4 9
Guyra
Railway 5 10 A1
LTTMP Regions
Coffs
B78 Dorrigo Harbour
Waterfall Way Ebor
0 25 50
Armidale Bellingen
Kilometres B78 Urunga
A15
ay
Uralla
hw
Nambucca Heads
ig
H
Macksville
nd
la
ng New England
wE North West
N
e
Ox
Bendemeer ley A1
Hig
h w ay
B56 Walcha
Tamworth Kempsey
B56 11
Draft only: actions subject to government priorities and funding availability
A15B78 WATERFALL WAY DRAFT CORRIDOR STRATEGY
JULY 2017
3.2 Road Safety The seven remaining recommendations are being
progressively implemented as funding becomes
CURRENT CORRIDOR PERFORMANCE
available.
Road safety review The road safety review has been used to inform
the Draft Corridor Strategy.
In September 2014, the Waterfall Way, Pacific
Highway to Dorrigo Road Safety Review was
published. The review was undertaken by Roads Waterfall Way Road Safety
and Maritime and NSW Centre for Road Safety, in
There were 314 reported crashes along the corridor
response to community concern with increased
between January 2010 and December 2014
haulage of rock material used on the Pacific
resulting in 180 casualty crashes involving either an
Highway upgrade.10
injury or fatality. Of the casualty crashes there were
The Review made 32 short-term and five medium nine fatal, 61 serious injury, 53 moderate injury, 32
to long term recommendations. Since 2014, 25 out minor injury and 25 uncatergorised injury crashes.
of 32 short term and all five medium to long term This equates to a crash rate of 0.21 casualty
recommendations have been completed. crashes/per kilometre/per year which is higher
n
These include:
tio r than 0.093 casualty crashes/ per kilometre/per
year on other comparable roads of this standard
ta o
• Improvements to signage including two vehicle across the state.11
activated speed monitoring devices
ul t f
Two of the crash clusters identified were:
• Installation of concrete dish drains
• Completion of the Gordonville Cutting project • A curve 1.7km north/west of Darkwood Road
Thora with ten crashes resulting in seven
• Completion of the Myers Bluff project
injuries. Bellingen Shire Council has nominated
ns af
• Development of the Bellingen Main this site for NSW Black Spot funding. As an
Street improvements interim measure an eastbound curve warning
• Monitoring of heavy vehicle movements speed advisory, Vehicle Activated (VAS) sign,
r
and static Chevron Alignment Markers (CAMs)
• Detailed speed zone review between Thora and
were installed in December 2014
co D
Dorrigo, with a number of
changes implemented • The intersection of the Waterfall Way and Miller
Street, Armidale had eight crashes resulting in
• Landslips repair and realignment work at Nut
two moderate injuries.
Farm and Weeping Jenny
• Construction of Stage 1 of the Sweedmans Compared to classified country roads in NSW, the
Lane project to rehabilitate the road, install one Waterfall Way has a higher percentage of crashes
metre road shoulders and improve intersection where the contributing factor is speed or wet road
surface or off road on curve crashes or those
• Development of a strategy with NSW Police for
involving motorcycles.
opportunities to run joint operations
• Signage improvements at both Fernmount and
Maynards Plain Road
• Completion of a Heavy Vehicle Action plan to
proactively manage project truck movements.
10. Roads and Maritime Service, Waterfall Way Road Safety Review, 2014, http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/documents/projects/northern-nsw/waterfall-way/
waterfall-way-safety-report-accessible.pdf, viewed November 2015
11. Roads and Maritime 2010, Network Performance Measures and Network Planning Targets, Roads and Maritime, Sydney
12
Draft only: actions subject to government priorities and funding availabilityB78 WATERFALL WAY DRAFT CORRIDOR STRATEGY
JULY 2017
Figure 3-2 Crash concentration map Pacific Highway to Ebor
CURRENT CORRIDOR PERFORMANCE
Cluster of crashes on curve west of Darkwood
Road, Thora. Ten crashes resulting in seven
0 1 2 3 4 casualties. 82% of crashes had speed as a factor.
Kilometres A vehicle activated curve advisory sign was
installed in December 2014 for eastbound traffic.
LEGEND Crashes
Major centres Fatal
Key towns Serious injury
State Road Moderate injury
Regional Road Minor/other injury
Railway Uncategorised injury
Non casualty (tow away)
Coffs Harbour
Waterfall Way
Dorrigo
ay
hw
g
i
ific H
Ebor
n
tio r
Pac
Curve 200m east of Fernbrook loop Road had realignment and safety
ta o
barrier works completed in 2014 under NSW Black Spot program.
Thora
Bellingen
ul t f
Urunga
ns af
Guyra
Figure 3-3 Crash concentration map Ebor to Armidale
r
Nambucca
Heads
co D
Twenty six crashes through a series of curves resulting in
LEGEND Crashes twenty six casualties including one fatality. Safety works to
Major centres Fatal improve the shoulder width and implement guard fencing
Macksville
has been recently completed on part of this section.
Key towns Serious injury
State Road Moderate injury ad
l l R ad
r pleigh Ro
Regional Road Minor/other injury
o
Railway Uncategorised injury
hi
Ac
Ebor
Tho
nR
G raft o o a d
0 1 2 3 4
Kilometres
w ay
gh
Hi
d
Armidale
g lan
En
Ne
w Wollomombi
Waterfall Way
Intersection of Waterfall Way and Miller Street Armidale
with eight crashes resulting in two moderate injuries.
Stre r
e
et
Mill
Ken
tucky
Ro ad Stre
U ralla et
13
Draft only: actions subject to government priorities and funding availabilityB78 WATERFALL WAY DRAFT CORRIDOR STRATEGY
JULY 2017
Figure 3-4 Waterfall Way Crash Summaries
CURRENT CORRIDOR PERFORMANCE
60
Waterfall Way Classified country NSW
50
40
Crashes %
30
20
10
0
Speed Wet Crashes Fatigue Motorcycle Heavy Crashes Hit Pedestrian
surface on straight vehicle on curves animal crash
n
tio r Crash summaries
ta o
Minor rest areas – These areas are designed for
ul t f
shorter rest breaks, and at a minimum should
Compared to classified country provide sufficient parking space for both heavy
roads in NSW, the Waterfall Way and light vehicles. While it is not anticipated that
these stops will be used for long rest breaks/sleep
has a higher percentage of crashes
ns af
opportunities, separate parking areas for heavy and
where the contributing factor is light vehicles may be required at some locations.
speed or wet road surface or off Truck parking bays – These areas are primarily
r
road on curve crashes or those designed to allow drivers of heavy vehicle to
co D
involving motorcycles. conduct short, purposed-based stops including
load checks, completing logbooks and addressing
associated operational needs.”12
There are 12 light vehicle rest areas, seven heavy
vehicle rest areas and four truck parking bays on
Rest areas the Waterfall Way. Six of the light vehicle and one
of the heavy vehicle rest areas have full facilities
In 2005, the National Transport Commission including toilets, shelters, picnic tables and litter
released the National Guidelines for the Provision bins. The Waterfall Way has sufficient rest areas in
of Rest Area Facilities with guidelines for three place to meet the National Guidelines by offering
categories of rest areas, including major and minor rest stops for heavy and light vehicles within the
rest areas and truck parking bays: maximum distance of 100km. The short distance
between key towns provide additional rest stop
“ Major rest areas – designed for long rest breaks,
facilities. Investigation is required to rationalise the
offering a range of facilities and separate parking
existing rest areas and provide improved signage.
areas for heavy and light vehicles where possible.
12. National Transport Commission, 2005, National Guidelines for the Provision of Rest Area Facilities, Melbourne
14
Draft only: actions subject to government priorities and funding availabilityB78 WATERFALL WAY DRAFT CORRIDOR STRATEGY
JULY 2017
Figure 3-5 Waterfall Way Rest Areas13 Wooli
CURRENT CORRIDOR PERFORMANCE
Pa
0 25 50 cif
i
c
Kilometres
Hi
gh
way
LEGEND
Mid North
Major centres Rest areas
Coast
Key towns Heavy and light vehicles Woolgoolga
State Road Light vehicles
Regional Road Truck parking bays
A1
Guyra
Railway
LTTMP Regions
Coffs
Harbour
B78 Dorrigo
Waterfall Way Ebor
Bellingen
Armidale Urunga
B78
A15
y d
wa an
n
tio r
gh gl
Hi En
Uralla
ew
Nambucca Heads
ta o
N
Macksville
New England
ul t f
North West
A1
ns af
r
co D
Gara River Rest Area
13. Roads and Maritime Rest Area Map http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/roads/using-roads/trip-information/rest-areas/restareasmap/index.html,
viewed 3 November 2015
15
Draft only: actions subject to government priorities and funding availabilityB78 WATERFALL WAY DRAFT CORRIDOR STRATEGY
JULY 2017
3.3 Traffic The traffic volumes are considerably higher
towards the east of the corridor with
CURRENT CORRIDOR PERFORMANCE
approximately 6,700 vehicles per day (vpd)
Traffic Volumes between the Pacific Highway at Raleigh and
Bellingen. The traffic volumes drop heading west
For the purpose of the strategy traffic counts were
towards Dorrigo with about 2,500 vpd in Dorrigo,
carried out at various locations on the Waterfall
between Dorrigo and Armidale they continue to
Way between 10 June 2015 and 22 June 2015 to
drop with around 700 to 1,000 vpd before
determine current traffic volumes. Figure 3-6 and
increasing in the urban area of Armidale. Armidale
Figure 3-7 shows the location of the conducted
is a major regional centre with around 5,411 vpd on
surveys and the average daily traffic volumes.
the Waterfall Way.
Table 3-2 Waterfall Way – traffic counts 2015
Land
Use HV- HV- % %
(vehicles Average % heavy
Site Description (Rural light Articulated HV- HV-
n
tio r or
Urban)
per day) (HV)
(3-5 (6-12)
vehicles
light articulated
ta o
660m West of Hyde
1 R 6727 390 274 105 5.8% 4.1% 1.6%
Street in Fernmount
ul t f
520m west of Mill Street
2 U 6601 400 301 99 6.1% 4.5% 1.5%
Bellingen
470m west of Wills
3 R 2283 242 145 97 10.6% 6.4% 4.2%
ns af
Creek
4.4km east of Maynards
4 R 1873 234 166 68 12.5% 8.9% 3.6%
Plains Road
r
Bielsdown River Bridge,
5 U 2501 171 131 40 6.8% 5.2% 1.6%
Dorrigo
co D
290m west of Deervale
6 R 1017 96 61 34 9.4% 6.0% 3.3%
Road
27.1km west of Dorrigo
7 R 775 95 62 35 12.3% 8.0% 4.5%
- Mason's Creek Culvert
710m west of Montrose
8 R 765 81 47 35 10.6% 6.1% 4.6%
loop road
6.73km west of Grafton/
9 R 1006 98 64 34 9.7% 6.1% 3.6%
Ebor Road intersection
830m west of Kempsey
10 R 941 130 94 36 13.8% 10.0% 3.8%
Road, Wollomombi
West of Douglas Street,
11 U 5411 378 331 47 7.0% 6.1% 0.9%
Armidale
320m west of Butler
12 U 3680 278 217 61 7.6% 5.9% 1.7%
Street, Armidale
16
Draft only: actions subject to government priorities and funding availabilityB78 WATERFALL WAY DRAFT CORRIDOR STRATEGY
JULY 2017
Figure 3-6 Waterfall Way – traffic count locations 2015 Wooli
CURRENT CORRIDOR PERFORMANCE
Pa
0 25 50 cif
i
c
Kilometres
Hi
gh
way
LEGEND
Mid North
Major centres Average daily traffic volumes
Coast
Key towns Site 1 Count locations Woolgoolga
State Road Less than 1000
Regional Road 1000 to 2000
A1
Guyra
Railway 2000 to 3000
LTTMP Regions 3000 to 4000 Site 9 Site 5
4000 to 5000 Site 8 Site 6 Coffs
5000 to 7000 Harbour
Dorrigo
Site 3
Waterfall Way Ebor Site 4 Site 1
Site 12 Site 7 Bellingen
Armidale Urunga
B78 Site 2
A15
y d
n
tio r
wa an
Site 11 Site 10
gh gl
Hi En
Uralla
ta o
ew
Nambucca Heads
N
Macksville
New England
ul t f
North West
A1
ns af
Figure 3-7 Waterfall Way – daily traffic volumes 2015
8000 250
Average daily traffic volumes
7000
r
Number of heavy vehicles
200
6000
co D
5000 150
4000
3000 100
2000
50
1000
0 0
Si ale t
al t
0
or
al 8
rig st
ig t
o
ai 4
re 3
en
nt
id es
id as
Si orr es
rig
om 1
or e
Si s C ite
e
r V ite
nt te
bi
e
o
o
n
ek
ou
Eb
ng
rm W
m te
rm 1 E
D W
D w
ou Si
or
ill S
ee S
nm
i
lli
lo S
7
9
A 1
A 12
6
D
e
te
of te
te
te
er
B
te
5
Si
Si
M
Si
1F
2
Si
D
te
ol
W
te
o
W
te
rig
Si
or
D
Eastbound (vpd) Westbound (vpd) Eastbound HV(vpd) Westbound HV(vpd)
17
Draft only: actions subject to government priorities and funding availabilityB78 WATERFALL WAY DRAFT CORRIDOR STRATEGY
JULY 2017
Heavy vehicle numbers across the corridor vary Number of lanes and Level of Service
considerably, with the average number of heavy
The number of through lanes needed can be
CURRENT CORRIDOR PERFORMANCE
vehicles being (refer to appendix 1 for vehicle
calculated using the Level of Service (LoS) rating
classification):
method. Level of service is related to the number
• Bellingen: 400 (6.1%) (301 rigid vehicles and 99 of lanes in each direction on a road and the
articulated vehicles) number of overtaking lanes.
• Dorrigo: 171 (6.8%) (131 rigid vehicles and 40 The Waterfall Way corridor has one lane in each
articulated vehicles) direction for majority of its length with the
• Ebor: 98 (9.7%) (64 rigid vehicles and 34 exception of three small lengths between Newell
articulated vehicles) Falls and Sherrard Falls, which are shared one lane
sections. Roads and Maritime Services Network
• Armidale: 417 (5.1%) (329 rigid vehicles and 88
Performance Measure and Network Planning
articulated vehicles).
Targets14 state that the number of through lanes on
The heavy vehicle volume around Bellingen are a 1-4R class road is two lanes generally, increased
equal to around six per cent of the total traffic to four if requested to provide Level of Service C. If
volume. This highlights the high use of light the travel demand for any particular road is such
n
tio r
vehicles used in this section. that target Level of Service C is forecast to be
ta o
reached within the planning horizon, an
The section around Ebor has a lower total traffic
assessment should be made as to the viability of
volume, however the heavy vehicle volume is equal
increasing the number of lanes available.
ul t f
to around 14 per cent, this highlights the
importance of this section of the corridor being
used by the agricultural and forestry industries.
ns af
Level of service (LoS)
The LoS is a measure of how easily traffic flows on the road. It assesses the operating condition of a road
r
based on various factors, including traffic volumes, proportion of heavy vehicles, terrain and frequency
co D
of intersections. Levels of service range from ‘A’ to ‘F’ with ‘A’ representing free-flowing traffic and ‘F’
representing severe congestion. On uninterrupted two-lane rural highways, the LoS is measured using
per cent time spent following as shown in Table 3-3.
The Austroads Guide toTraffic Management Part 3:
Traffic Studies and Analysis outlines the process to calculate the level of service of a two-lane two-way
road. The process is based on the Highway Capacity Manual 201015. The manual distinguishes between
three categories of two-lane highways as follows:16
• Class I two-lane highways are generally major intercity routes, primary arterials, daily commuter
routes or primary links in state or national highway networks. There is an expectation from motorists
to travel at relatively high speeds. These facilities often serve long-distance trips or provide
connecting links between facilities that serve long-distance trips
• Class II two lane highways are generally those that function as access routes to Class I facilities, serve
as scenic or recreational routes (except primary arterials), or pass through rugged terrain. Motorists
do not necessarily expect to travel at high speeds. These facilities often serve relatively short trips,
the beginning and ending of longer trips, or trips for which sightseeing plays a significant role
• Class III two lane highways are generally those that serve moderately developed areas. They can be
sections of Class I and Class II highways that pass through developed areas, where there is a mix
between local and through traffic and the density of roadside access points is noticeably higher.
These segments are often accompanied by reduced speed limits that reflect the higher activity level.
14. Roads and Maritime Services2010, Network Performance Measures and Network Planning Targets, Sydney, p. 41
15. Transportation Research Board 2010, Highway Capacity Manual: HCM 2010, TRB, Washington
16. Austroads 2013, Guide to Traffic Management Part 3: Traffic Studies and Analysis, Austroads. Sydney, p. 42
18
Draft only: actions subject to government priorities and funding availabilityB78 WATERFALL WAY DRAFT CORRIDOR STRATEGY
JULY 2017
Waterfall Way has been identified as a Class II two proportion of heavy vehicles, speed limit and
lane highway. The Waterfall Way corridor overtaking opportunities using ‘Traffic on Rural
CURRENT CORRIDOR PERFORMANCE
performance has been evaluated to understand Roads’ (TRARR) modelling software developed by
the existing LoS. The evaluation has been based on the Australian Road Research Board.
various factors including traffic volumes,
Table 3-3 Level of service definitions
Level of
Description17
Service (LoS)
Motorists experience high operating speeds on Class I highways and little difficulty in passing.
A
Platoons of three or more vehicles are rare.
Passing demand and passing capacity are balanced. On both Class I and Class II highways, the
B
degree of bunching becomes noticeable. Some speed reductions are present on Class I highways.
Most vehicles are travelling in platoons. Speeds are noticeably curtailed on all three classes of
C
highway.
n
tio r
Bunching increases significantly. Passing demand is high on both Class I and II facilities, but passing
ta o
D capacity approaches zero. A high percentage of vehicles are now travelling in platoons, and PTSF is
quite noticeable.
ul t f
Demand is approaching capacity. Passing on Class I and II highways is virtually impossible, and PTSF
E
is more than 80%. Speeds are seriously curtailed.
Exists whenever arrival flow in one or both directions exceeds the capacity of the segment.
F
Operating conditions are unstable, and heavy congestion exists on all classes of two-lane highway.
ns af
Table 3-4 Level of service performance criteria18
r
Level of Class II Highway
Service (LoS) Per cent time-spent-following PTSF (%)
co D
A ≤40
B >40 – 55
C >55 – 70
D >70 – 85
E >85
Traffic on rural roads (TRARR)
TRARR analyses traffic flow on uninterrupted two lane rural road segments. Each vehicle’s progress is
measured at one second intervals. The TRARR model can be used to simulate platooning and the
percentage of vehicles following due to slower freight vehicles, for example on steeper grades where
there are no overtaking opportunities. Results of a TRARR analysis provide guidance as to where
additional overtaking opportunities might improve the LoS. Roads and Maritime Services Network
Performance Measures and Network Planning Target19 recommend an overtaking lane should be
provided at locations where 65 per cent of time is spent following other vehicles which means that the
level of service is C.
17. Austroads 2013, Guide to Traffic Management Part 3: Traffic Studies and Analysis, Austroads. Sydney, p.46
18. Austroads 2013, Guide to Traffic Management Part 3: Traffic Studies and Analysis, Austroads. Sydney, p.45
19. Roads and Maritime Services 2010, Network Performance Measures and Network Planning Targets, Sydney, p. 42
19
Draft only: actions subject to government priorities and funding availabilityB78 WATERFALL WAY DRAFT CORRIDOR STRATEGY
JULY 2017
Table 3-5 Waterfall Way corridor performance - Westbound
CURRENT CORRIDOR PERFORMANCE
% time spent % Following Level of Average Speed
following Service Km/h
Corridor Section
AM PM AM PM AM PM
Day Day Day
peak peak peak peak peak peak
time time time
hour hour hour hour hour hour
Pacific Highway to
70.2 68.9 59.4 D C C 68.3 72.3 70.7
Bellingen
2015
Thora to Dorrigo 56.4 59.4 54.6 C C B 42.2 42.2 38.8
Ebor to Armidale 21.5 25.6 25.7 A A A 84.4 83.8 83.4
Pacific Highway to
73.2 75.5 64.3 D D C 71.2 70.5 74.2
Bellingen
2025
Thora to Dorrigo 58.8 64.5 58.8 C C C 44.3 38.1 40.1
n
tio r
Ebor to Armidale 23.7 27.5 28.4 A A A 84.7 83.4 82.9
ta o
Pacific Highway to
78.5 79.5 70.3 D D D 69.4 68.0 71.6
Bellingen
ul t f
2035
Thora to Dorrigo 63.4 662 58.9 C C C 36.5 38.2 42.6
Ebor to Armidale 20.5 31.1 30.5 A A A 86.3 81.8 82.8
ns af
Table 3-6 Waterfall Way corridor performance - Eastbound
% time spent % Following Level of Average Speed
r
following Service Km/h
co D
Corridor Section
AM PM AM PM AM PM
Day Day Day
peak peak peak peak peak peak
time time time
hour hour hour hour hour hour
Pacific Highway to
67.1 65.2 58.0 C C C 69.8 74.5 72.3
Bellingen
2015
Thora to Dorrigo 51.8 51.7 48.9 B B B 51.0 51.2 50.8
Ebor to Armidale 19.9 24.3 24.6 A A A 84.0 83.4 83.7
Pacific Highway to
72.5 71.3 60.2 D D C 71.2 72.3 75.9
Bellingen
2025
Thora to Dorrigo 52.1 55.0 51.4 B B B 50.8 50.2 51.4
Ebor to Armidale 17.9 21.2 23.4 A A A 86.0 84.5 84.4
Pacific Highway to
76.2 77.4 67.2 D D C 70.0 69.9 72.9
Bellingen
2035
Thora to Dorrigo 58.4 57.6 52.3 C C B 48.4 50.1 51.4
Ebor to Armidale 21.2 28.7 29.3 A A A 85.6 81.6 81.2
20
Draft only: actions subject to government priorities and funding availabilityB78 WATERFALL WAY DRAFT CORRIDOR STRATEGY
JULY 2017
The Waterfall Way LoS was assessed based on the Overtaking opportunities
percent time spent following another vehicle along
Providing overtaking lanes and other opportunities
CURRENT CORRIDOR PERFORMANCE
the stretch of the Waterfall Way with the
to pass slower vehicles improves travel time and
performance criteria outlined in Table 3-4.
LoS. In addition, overtaking opportunities reduce
Level of service along the Waterfall Way varies driver frustration and unsafe behaviour, reducing
between A and D throughout the day depending the risk of road trauma.
on the number of vehicles and section of the route.
Overtaking opportunities include formal ones, such
The modelled LoS for the Waterfall Way is worst as overtaking lanes, and informal ones, such as
during the peak periods and in the peak directions. using opposing travel lane when safe. These are
Traffic volumes used to model the LoS in 2025 and available along approximately 40 per cent of the
2035 have been calculated from the traffic growth entire corridor, although this varies greatly
percentage in Table 3-7. Overnight generally sees between sections. The minimum length for an
free flowing conditions with LoS A or B at all informal overtaking opportunity (ie broken centre
locations. The LoS varies along the length of line) is 300 metres.
Waterfall Way and is presented in Table 3-5 and
There is currently around seven kilometres of
Table 3-6.
n
tio r informal overtaking areas along the corridor which
fall below this desired length. In these instances the
ta o
The one hour AM and PM peak period for each
section were: informal overtaking opportunity should be
assessed and removed if considered an
ul t f
Pacific Highway to Bellingen unacceptable safety risk.
8-9am and 5-6pm
There are six formal overtaking lanes on the
Thora to Dorrigo Waterfall Way (Figure 3-8). All six occur west
9-10am and 3-4pm
ns af
of Ebor.
Ebor to Armidale The three westbound overtaking lanes are at:
8-9am and 3-4pm.
• 0.38 kilometres east of Wollomombi Falls Road,
r
The lowest performing section is between the Hillgrove (0.94km in length)
co D
Pacific Highway and Bellingen, with a current LoS
• Four Mile Creek, Hillgrove (0.64km in length)
between C and D. This section is used for
commuting between Bellingen and Coffs Harbour • Moore Park Road west of Armidale
to access services including employment and (0.85km in length).
education. In the short term an eastbound and
The three eastbound overtaking lanes are at:
westbound overtaking lane and road realignments
would improve travel times during peak periods. • 2 kilometres east of Gara River, Argyle
(0.92km in length)
Between Thora and Dorrigo the LoS is between B
and C. This section is also used for commuting to • East of St Helena Creek, Hillgrove
Coffs Harbour to access services however has (1.12km in length)
lower traffic volumes. This is a 15 kilometre section • 0.16 kilometres east of Kempsey Road,
of tight curves, steep grades and narrow formation Wollomombi (0.89km in length).
with small sections of one lane road. This limits the
overtaking opportunities and the tight curves and There are no formal overtaking lanes between the
steep grades limit the speed that larger service Pacific Highway and Ebor. In the absence of
vehicles and cars with caravans can reach, resulting overtaking lanes between Thora and Dorrigo, in
in platooning of vehicles. order to reduce driver frustration and improve
journey times. Pull Over Bays, in both directions,
The LoS between Ebor and Armidale indicates should be investigated. Pull Over Bays will enable
adequate overtaking opportunities. slower vehicles to safely allow following vehicles to
pass. This should be supplemented with
appropriate signposting.
21
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