Safe System Pedestrian Infrastructure Program

• Rural City of Wangaratta has been successful in receiving funding through the Victorian Safe System Pedestrian Infrastructure Program funding (SSPIP) from Department of Transport and Planning to deliver safety improvements for pedestrians at four separate locations within the Wangaratta central business district (CBD).

• The grant requires the funding to be spent on new safety improvements and can not be used to rectify defective works.

• A wombat crossing is a raised pedestrian crossing (similar to a zebra crossing) built on a platform that slows down vehicles and improves pedestrian visibility. It’s often at the same level as the footpath, making it easier for people with mobility issues.
• The wombat crossings will be designed in accordance with VicRoads RDN 03-07 –Raised Safety Platforms and will cater for bus movements.

• Slows down cars
• Makes pedestrians easier to see through elevating pedestrians, making them more visible to approaching drivers, especially in busy or low-light conditions
• Gives pedestrians right of way
• Safer for kids and older people
• Reduces serious crashes (studies in Australia show that raised crossings can cut down on injury crashes by more than 60%).
• Encourages walking and cycling
• Accessibility:
  • The level surface between footpath and crossing improves access for prams, wheelchairs, and mobility scooters/aids making it accessible for all users.
  • Includes tactile ground surface indicators for vision-impaired pedestrians
• Improved lighting at crossing locations 

Ford Street (Ovens Street end)

• A wombat crossing will provide a single crossing point and provide a direct link to the CBD for pedestrians coming from Ovens Street (School), the Railway Precinct and the Wangaratta Performing Arts & Convention Centre.
• The raised platform forces drivers to slow down before entering or exiting the roundabout, reducing the risk of pedestrian collisions
• Unlike traditional roundabout designs, wombat crossings give pedestrians a clearly marked and elevated priority zone.

Ford Street (Murphy Street end)

• A wombat crossing will replace the existing zebra crossing to reduce driver speed, increase pedestrian visibility and reduce the risk of pedestrian collisions at this busy location.

Faithfull Street

• A wombat crossing will provide a safe path of travel across Faithfull Street especially during peak times (morning, lunch and early evening). It will also provide a direct pedestrian link to the river precinct from the CBD. 

The recommended setback distance for a wombat crossing from a roundabout (as per the Austroads Guide to Road Design) is 6-10m. This distance allows:

• Adequate vehicle queuing space between the crossing and the roundabout entry/exit.
• Improved visibility for both drivers and pedestrians.
• Reduced risk of blocking circulating traffic, especially in single-lane roundabouts.
• Adequate signage will be installed so drivers anticipate pedestrian activity without abrupt stops.

The designs are dictated by Australian Standards and Austroads Guide to Road Designs with approvals and permits issued by the Department of Transport & Planning and endorsed by Transport Accident Commission. 

• Cyclists will need to slow down and approach wombat crossings with caution, the ramps will be bike friendly to provide a smooth transition.
• Cyclists travelling over the wombat crossing must still give way to pedestrians using the wombat crossing.
• Cyclists who wish to use a wombat crossing alongside pedestrians must dismount when crossing.

• A pedestrian operation signal is a traffic light that helps people cross the road safely.
• Pedestrians press the push button to activate the crossing signal.

• A pedestrian operation signal is usually installed in busy built up areas (retail and office) at mid-block crossings where there is a high level of pedestrian activity.
• Will allow pedestrians enough time to cross safely.
• Increase accessibility for all users including people with vision impairments.
• Will create a safer place to cross at a location where pedestrians are already crossing.

• The wombat crossings have been designed so that there is no loss of parking within the CBD. 
• During construction there will be reduced or restricted parking for each site to allow a turn around for local traffic.

• Temporary disruptions are expected during installation, with full road closures and detours in place.
• Council has staged the construction with each site to be finalised before commencing the next.
• Traffic management measures will be implemented to address changes in road and pedestrian conditions.

• The Walking and Cycling Strategy 2020 to 2030 details community consultation and identification of projects that have been prioritised by Council. 
• Crash History data was used from January 2018 – December 2022 to highlight problem areas.

• During the works there will be full road closures, temporary footpath diversions and some reduced or restricted parking. 
• At each site the road will be closed to through traffic with a detour in place.
• Local traffic including customer access and deliveries will be maintained with a dedicated turning area in place.

• Council is installing concrete wombat crossings.
• Concrete offers exceptional structural strength and a longer lifespan compared to asphalt.
• Installation of concrete crossings requires significant labour, time for surface preparation, formwork, pouring and extended period of curing time.
• The extended curing time of concrete requires the roads to be closed until curing is complete.