DEVELOPING INTERCONNECTED CITIES
Tags: Infrastructure, Australia, Sydney Light Rail Project, Southern Program Alliance

Interconnected cities, otherwise known as ‘smart cities’, refers to municipalities where people and goods can move around efficiently, thereby solving a range of issues from congestion and accessibility, to improvements in services and a sense of future-proofing spaces. ACCIONA’s own innovations have always been at the forefront of the development of interconnected areas, using careful planning and technology to create safe and reliable transport networks, without devaluing the surrounding communities and the voice of local residents and retailers.

SPEED AND SAFETY

One of the benefits of interconnected cities is the ability to minimise congestion, in turn cutting down travel time and accentuating safety. The Legacy Way Tunnel was constructed to connect residential growth areas in the western areas of Brisbane, with the airport located in the city’s east. Not only does this decrease travel time, but ensures road-users are spared typical inner-city congestion.

Similarly, the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing has enabled a greater flow of traffic with the avoidance of up to 18 sets of traffic lights, improved driver safety, and the ability to reduce travel time by up to forty minutes with the diversion of up to 80% of heavy commercial vehicles.

THE AESTHETICS

Central to the creation of interconnected cities, is the ability for the technical elements to work with the aesthetics of an area. Understanding the importance of local residents and ensuring the aesthetics of construction maintains the unique feeling of an area is key. ACCIONA has consistently understood the importance of maintaining harmony with the community, whilst conceding the need to provide faster access to other areas. Planning with an eye on ‘the initial arrangements and potential re-arrangements’ cannot be overlooked when designing interconnected cities, and the aesthetics and feeling of areas undoubtedly play a role in the process.

The Southern Program Alliance aims to bring both construction and design excellence to the Frankston line, with the creation of six new stations to cater for an increasing population, as well as improving access to local businesses, new cycling and walking paths, and playgrounds and a new promenade leading to a local beach.

Similarly, one of the key benefits in the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing development is ensuring enhanced livability for the region and the surrounding Lockyer Valley areas, with its understanding of the aesthetics to compliment the infrastructure. By supporting such transport and travel developments with the addition and/or preservation of the cosmetic elements, the results can be seen in a complete revitalisation of the entire community, not just road-users.

CARBON FOOTPRINT

ACCIONA’s Ballarat and Frankston Line upgrades will enable regular transport, as well as recovery when unexpected issues occur. By increasing the accessibility and regularity of trains, cars are thereby removed from the roads, reducing traffic and the broader carbon footprint. Similarly the Northern and Bringelly Road upgrade has been developed with the prediction of population growth that could negatively impact the environment on a local and larger scale. To mitigate such damage, the upgrade has been planned to cater to the potential need for future design adjustments, ensuring any further work requires minimum disruption and impact on the environment and residents. As well as this, a focus on improved safety for cyclists and pedestrians through the creation of an off-road shared path means the community can feel confident in getting from A to B in an environmentally-friendly fashion, without the anxiety.

The Sydney Light Rail project will see improved access to major entertainment facilities and healthcare centres. When partnered with new systems to ensure trains run every four minutes during peak hours, the frequency and reliability of this new design means commuters can be assured of dependable travel, therefore removing a dependency on cars.

The benefits of interconnected cities extend beyond the practical. With greater access to local amenities, not to mention people, retailers can expect greater foot traffic, and interaction between multiple communities can mean a greater sense of connectivity, and in turn wellbeing. Furthermore, a more interconnected city can also mean a safer and more sustainable community.