FAQs

Stevens Street has been identified as a priority area by the City and has had intermediate traffic calming works completed in recent years to address safety issues caused by speeding motorists. The proposed enhancements acknowledge Stevens Street will continue to see consistent levels of traffic and pedestrian activity as it provides an important access point to the White Gum Valley neighbourhood and amenities such as Booyeembara Park, Sullivan Hall, and the local golf courses. To increase safety for both people and wildlife, as well as to promote active transportation, it is essential to implement these proposed additional traffic calming measures on Stevens Street expediently. Additionally, budget allocation for this project was secured in preparation for continuing works on the street. 

The Stevens Street length of road which runs parallel to Booyeembara Park also has a six-metre-wide verge with native street trees. Unlike many neighbourhood streets with limited existing vegetation and space, Stevens Street provides a great opportunity to create substantial wildlife habitat along the verge adjacent to the traffic calming nodes, to provide a greater area of wildlife foraging through the neighbourhood.

The straight stretch of Stevens Street encourages some vehicles to exceed the speed limit, creating an unwelcoming environment for pedestrians and posing a safety risk to pedestrians, cyclists and children. Based on a recognised design standard, "Modified T-Intersections" are the treatment type being proposed to calm traffic on Stevens Street and will be placed at the "T" intersections between Montreal St and Carrington St.

At a T-junction, "slow points" are traffic calming measures that use horizontal deflections (like chicane-like structures or kerb blisters) to narrow the carriageway and force drivers to slow down. These slow points reduce speeds and can also discourage through traffic. The proposed concept for Stevens Street minimises required signage and maintains the familiar traffic movements. The semi-mountable median islands both narrow the road, create deflection and provide separation of lanes resulting in slower speeds, greater protection and better compliance with lane keeping at each intersection.

The City of Fremantle has previously employed the use of modified T-intersections as a treatment, with a positive reduction in driver speeds. To view an existing example of the treatment proposed, please visit the intersection of Annie St and Edmonson St in Beaconsfield.

The proposed placement and repetition of the same types of traffic calming treatments in a neighbourhood also aims to create a simple, coherent approach across the City, so that drivers in Fremantle become accustomed to these familiar devices and aware that they are travelling in a local residential area.

The wildlife friendly enhancements being considered for Stevens St include wildlife friendly curbing, native plantings and minor natural landscaping additions.

Accessed via Stevens Street, Booyeembara Park bushland area will be enhanced by a new bush track for pedestrians, set back and running parallel with the road. Enhancing the park edge with native plantings and incorporating logs, boulders, and wildlife-friendly kerbs will facilitate easier movement across the road for target species such as bobtails.

Flush kerbing sections for drainage provide escape areas for bobtails and other wildlife to retreat from the road, whilst planted areas of native vegetation provide protection and habitat.

The proposed traffic calming treatments to the Stevens Street T-intersections are scheduled to commence before the end of the 2024/25 financial year.

Once the curbing and road works are complete, the wildlife-friendly enhancements will be completed, including verge planting during the winter months and installation of the new bush track.

The City typically assesses road safety needs through a combination of data analysis and community feedback. They may consider factors such as accident reports, traffic volume, road conditions, and input from residents to determine where safety improvements are most needed. This assessment process helps prioritize projects and allocate resources to areas with the greatest need for improvements.

Traffic calming specifically refers to measures and policies designed to reduce vehicle speeds and enhance safety, especially in residential areas. Traffic issues can encompass a broader range of concerns related to traffic management, including congestion, parking, and road infrastructure.

To raise concerns about road safety on your street, residents can typically:

• Contact the City of Fremantle through their official channels, such as the website or City Admin offices.
• Attend public meetings, workshops, or engagement sessions hosted by the City.
• Submit feedback and suggestions through designated platforms or public consultations.

Streets across the City of Fremantle are assessed as part of a rolling funding schedule, contingent with annual budget allocations for Infrastructure and Place and Projects programs.

A great way to advocate for traffic calming treatments in your neighbourhood is by voicing your concerns to your local precinct group.

You can learn more and get in contact with your local precinct group by visiting the Precinct Goup page here.

The Traffic Calming policy outlines strategies and measures aimed at slowing down vehicular traffic in residential areas and neighbourhoods. These measures typically include speed humps, roundabouts, chicanes, and other physical interventions to encourage safer driving behaviours and reduce vehicle speeds. The Traffic Calming Policy was adopted by Council at the 24 July 2024 Ordinary Council Meeting.

You can read the policy here.(External link)

While reducing speed limits can contribute to road safety, it can also lead to driver frustration if not accompanied by appropriate traffic calming measures. Drivers may become frustrated when they perceive speed limits as arbitrarily low and encounter delays in their journeys. This frustration can sometimes lead to non-compliance with speed limits, aggressive driving behaviours, and a negative impact on the overall traffic environment. Therefore, it's essential to implement a comprehensive approach that combines speed limit reductions with well-designed traffic calming measures to effectively address safety concerns while minimising driver frustration.

Context Matters: What works as an appropriate speed limit in one area may not be suitable for another. Speed limits need to be context-specific and consider factors such as road design, land use, and traffic volume.