Stopping area strategy
Upgrading the Pacific Highway will result in either direct loss of, or reduced access to, a number of existing stopping opportunities through widening, realignment or bypassing of towns.
The stopping area strategy aims to ensure that an adequate and attractive system of stopping areas is available for all users of the Pacific Highway during and following the upgrading program. In particular, a program of rest area improvements has been developed and is being implemented in response to increasing use of the highway by heavy vehicles. The aim is to ensure that a rest area or other off-road stopping opportunity, suitable for both light and heavy vehicles, is available at around 35km to 50km spacing.
Under this program, new rest areas have been provided south of Karuah, south of Kempsey (2), south of Taree, south of Grafton and south of Woodburn. Other rest areas, such as those at Talawahl Creek (south of Taree), south of Wardell and south of Bulahdelah have been expanded and/or had facilities upgraded.
Further new rest areas are planned for inclusion in Upgrading Projects as they are being built.
Commercial retail policy
As a means of protecting the investment in the Pacific Highway from the impact of new retail or commercial development, the Minister for Urban Affairs and Planning has issued a direction under Section 117 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act. This Direction requires Councils along the Pacific Highway to consider the objectives of the "Planning Policy on Commercial/Retail Development along the Pacific Highway from the Queensland Border to Hexham".
The Policy aims to contain most commercial and retail development to within towns, with the exception being Highway Service Centres. Applications for rezoning to allow the development of Highway Service Centres is subject to a number of conditions being met. These conditions include distance to towns through which the Highway still passes and to other Highway Service Centres, the type of facilities to be provided and access arrangements.
Roadwork coordination scheme
The efficient and reliable operation of the Pacific Highway is vital to the economy of the north coast region, the State and the nation. Therefore, it is essential to minimise delays to road users as much as possible during the extensive upgrading program and to ensure that relevant and timely information about these delays is readily available.
In line with the RTA's policy of improved customer focus, a roadwork coordination scheme has been developed, which offers ways to minimise the adverse impact of roadwork delays on road users. This will maximise the performance of the route during the upgrading program.
A key component of this strategy is the dissemination of regular information to Pacific Highway road users and local communities about delays due to highway construction and maintenance activities. This information will allow road users to plan their journeys, make decisions when scheduling activities and when appropriate, choose alternative routes.
The RTA's Pacific Highway Office produces weekly and urgent traffic reports about potential delays. These reports are distributed to service stations along the highway, NRMA branches, RTA motor registries, Local Councils, Tourist Centres and the media. This roadwork information is also available by contacting the RTA 1800 653 092.
Travel time surveys
To measure the performance of the Pacific Highway as it is upgraded, a travel time survey of the highway is undertaken each year, usually in November. The survey captures times taken by both light and heavy vehicles between points along the highway. These times are then summed to identify the time it would have taken to travel between Hexham and the Queensland border. These times are after delays at worksites have been deducted.
Design guidelines
A set of draft design guidelines has been developed for Pacific Highway upgrades. These guidelines are to ensure consistency between projects and value for money. The guidelines provide advice on matters such as alignment standard, pavement type, median treatments and cross section dimensions, linemarking treatments, intersection layout, drainage and bridge structures.
The draft guidelines are based on existing NSW or national design guides or Australian Standards.
Intersection lighting
Included in the draft design guidelines is advice on the provision of intersection lighting. Lighting is provided at important intersections in upgrade projects to identify intersection location, light intended vehicle paths and ensure that potential hazards are highlighted. Australian Standards are applied to intersection lighting that is installed.
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