4.0 Strategic Context Overview This Section nominates the basic function of the road network and its relationship with other modes of transport. The Government’s transport vision and the corporate vision of Department of State Growth are each referred. The social and commercial demands that drive good asset management are identified and their influence discussed. 4.1 Strategic Drivers Transport is vital in supporting Tasmania’s economic and social wellbeing. The State roads system needs to work efficiently and effectively and integrate with all other components of the transport system. Tasmania Together is the Tasmanian Government’s 20-year social, environmental and economic plan. It contains goals, targets and a timeframe for targets to be achieved. It will be used to inform budget decisions. While none of the goals and targets directly addresses road infrastructure, many of the goals and targets can only be achieved through having the State road system adequately maintained. In association with the development of Tasmania Together, a Transport Forum developed a transport vision and identified principles and objectives to be used in its achievement. The transport vision is: To achieve the transport vision, the SAMP needs an appropriate level of responsiveness and have some flexibility to incorporate major external factors, for example, new Government policies and initiatives. The key principles of the Vision are aimed at ensuring that our transport system is: Safe, fair and accessible to everyone Efficient and effective Environmentally sustainable Strategically planned for the long term Responsive to community and industry needs, and Integrated with transport systems outside Tasmania. The Department of State Growth document Connecting Tasmania - Draft Tasmanian Road Hierarchy and Targets is a further strategic driver for the SAMP. It provides the strategic framework for categorising the road network into a hierarchy of roads and routes, based on their intended functionality and level of use. Prepared in 1999, this document nominates the traffic profiles for each road category and summarises the target performance standards that are to apply. (Refer also 6.2) The Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources (DIER) Corporate Plan (2003/04 – 2005/06) contains the following Vision:
6.0 Levels of Service Overview This Section identifies the required Levels of Service across the road hierarchy, as well as asset performance targets and community expectations. 6.1 Strategic and Corporate Goals Department of State Growth corporate goals focus on a safe, efficient, reliable and sustainable transport system which will provide social and economic benefits. Safety, efficiency and reliability will continue to be primary outcomes from the Department’s programs for asset enhancement, development, maintenance, rehabilitation and replacement. Limitations on funding however, have a major impact on the ability to achieve these outcomes and, in particular, continue to provide a sustainable road system. A key objective of this Plan is to assess the levels of funding required to achieve agency and Government goals and outcomes and the implications of different funding levels on Levels of Service. 6.2 Road Hierarchy and Targets The Road Hierarchy categorises roads based on function and use, and sets targets that will provide the roads with a consistent look, level of safety and driving “feel”, so that in the long they provide a uniform and predictable service. The target Levels of Service for the various road categories are: Road Hierarchy Target Levels of Service Category 1 – Trunk Roads Sealed surface – overtaking lanes each 15km – dual carriageway where warranted – town by-passes where economically justified – high-performance road markings – 100kmph road standard – junctions for high productivity vehicles – truck parking at least each 50km – limited property access directly onto the road Category 2 – Freight Roads Sealed surface – overtaking lanes where warranted – standard road markings – 100kmph road standard – junctions for high-productivity vehicles – truck parking at least each 50km – limited property access directly onto the road Category 3 – Access Roads Sealed surface – overtaking lanes where warranted – standard road markings – 80kmph road standard in rural areas – junctions for high-productivity vehicles where appropriate – truck parking at least each 50km – limited property access directly onto the road complemented by local government planning and control Category 4 – Feeder Roads Sealed surface – overtaking lanes where warranted – standard road markings – 60kmph road standard – junctions for high-productivity vehicles where appropriate – property access directly onto important roads complemented by local government planning and control Category 5 – Other Roads Meet appropriate minimum safety standards for road use, with a higher standard for those road used for agricultural or forestry purposes. TABLE 6.2 – ROAD HEIRACHY TARGET LEVELS OF SERVICE