Traffic & Transport Engineering

Burchills Engineering Solutions were been appointed by the City of Gold Coast (The City) to prepare a Business Case for the future upgrading of Yawalpah Road, Pimpama.

Yawalpah Road forms the primary connection between the Pacific Motorway (M1) Pimpama Interchange (Exit 49), the emerging residential communities within Pimpama and the future Coomera Connector (Second M1). It crosses the Gold Coast Line of the Queensland Rail network via an overpass.

The original planning identified the Yawalpah Road classification as a future sub-arterial road and suggested that the road duplication from two to four lanes would be sufficient to cater for the anticipated travel demand. However, the previous road corridor study was completed prior to the announcement of upgrades to the Pacific Motorway (M1) Pimpama Interchange (Exit 49) and the proposed Coomera Connector. The Business Case tested the original planning recommendations against other options using forensic traffic modelling and considering the broader network operations. Given the project’s proximity to the existing and planned major state-controlled roads, the forensic traffic modelling analysis includes the Pacific Motorway (M1) Pimpama Interchange (Exit 49) upgrade works and construction of the Coomera Connector. The Business Case provided The City with a recommendation for the optimal configuration of the Yawalpah Road corridor to ensure appropriate Council Capital Investment. 

Burchills were engaged to prepare a Travel Demand Management Strategy as part of the Green Heart Gardens project, which will consist of 4,000 residential units and 8,000sqm of commercial use and is forecasted to increase population in the area by 12,000 people based on 3.0 average people per household rate.

It identified key travel demand management measures and incentives that were implemented to reduce car travel and decrease pressure on the local roads in the vicinity of the site such as Boowaggan Road, Gooding Drive and Robina Parkway.

Travel Demand Management Strategy (TDMS) includes both provision of high quality sustainable transport infrastructure and incentives that improve overall transport outcomes, such as reduced traffic impact of the proposed development on the local road network, congestion mitigation and more reliable transport system.

Proposed improvements to active and public transport infrastructure will also deliver substantial social, economic and environmental benefits to the wider Merrimac and Gold Coast area including:

• Reduced congestion on the local road network;
• More efficient use of the existing and proposed transport infrastructure and services;
• Improved connectivity, liveability and amenity;
• Improved road safety including reduced road accidents and injuries;
• Improved air quality due to reduced emissions from cars; and
• Increased physical activity and public health.

Following an extensive literature review, site accessibility study and workshops with local and state government experts in Travel Planning and Travel Demand Management Strategies, a number of measures were identified as the most likely to succeed at Green Heart Gardens development taking into the account site location and site accessibility to local educational, employment and retail areas.

Burchills were engaged by Logan City Council to complete Road Safety Audits on multiple guardrails within the Logan City Council area.

As part of improving safety across the road network, Logan City Council (Council) required a prioritised works program for the repair, replacement, upgrade or removal of guardrails for each site in compliance with current applicable standards. Logan has approximately 44 km of guardrails located over 458 ‘sites’. Each site is comprised of one or more ‘sections’ and there are 1,575 sections.

In response to the forecast demand for open space and parkland, City of Gold Coast acquired 240 hectares of low-lying land at the centre of the cities urban footprint between Nerang, Robina, Mudgeeraba and Clear Island Waters to provide current and future city residents and visitors with generous and diverse recreational opportunities in a central location on the Gold Coast. Burchills Engineering Solutions and AECOM have partnered to prepare the Master Plan for the truly world class iconic open space Greenheart Parklands project for City of Gold Coast. The design team was hand selected to provide best-for project outcomes and bring a balance of broad design thinking underpinned by detailed local knowledge and technical fluency.

Burchills scope of consultancy services includes input to the development of the Master Plan for Gold Coast Central Park, design report recommendations and production of design plans for Civil Engineering, Hydraulic Engineering, Traffic Engineering, Environment and Ecology. The key technical aspects of the Master Plan design include:

• Intersection modelling and transport planning considering a road network link between Stadium Drive, being the main access point, and Gilgai Road and investigation of an alternative secondary connection from Robina Parkway.
• Modelling includes assessment of the change in traffic flows associated with the development on operational capacity and road safety at the locations based on design years, growth forecasts, committed development utilising the City of Gold Coast Strategic Transport Multi Modal Model (GCSTM-MM).
• Deliverables included functional layout plan for the existing and proposed major intersection including any land dedications and provision of Traffic Impact Assessment, Active Transport Movement Plan, Public Transport Movement Plan and Vehicular Movement Plan.

Burchills transport also advice included Vehicular Access Strategy including Car Parking, Active Transport Strategy, Public Transport Strategy, Water Transport Strategy and Event Management.

Burchills were engaged by TMR to complete Road Safety (RSA) for 5 locations around the Gold Coast in preparation for the Commonwealth Games.

Due to the incapacity of sporting venues and transport hubs to accommodate Games ground-based workforce as well as bus drivers, TMR and Games LinQ have identified a need for driver mealing and layover at school and community centre locations around the Gold Coast - Nerang Primary School, Arundel Primary School, Helensvale Primary School, Tugun Community Centre and Carrara Community Centre.

Burchills undertook Road Safety Audit at identified 5 locations proposed for the Bus Driver Mealing Stations

• Nerang Primary School
• Helensvale Primary School
• Arundel Primary School
• Tugun Community Centre
• Carrara Community Centre

The Road Safety involved review of the proposed bus parking area in relation to visibility at each location for buses entering and exiting the parking bays as well as for oncoming vehicles. Swept path analysis were undertaken to identify any constrains for bus movements entering / exiting the site. Recommendations were made relating to the locations and suitability of bus bays as well as appropriate signage necessary to support the new traffic order. A traffic instruction order plans were prepared for each location.