Move Safe Brisbane - Pedestrian Safety Review

Brisbane City Council is committed to delivering safe and accessible active transport options throughout Brisbane for all members of the community.

As part of this commitment, Council has conducted a Citywide Pedestrian Safety Review to identify programs and projects to help improve safety for pedestrians.

Move Safe Brisbane consultation

Council conducted the Move Safe Brisbane consultation from 31 July to 28 August 2018 to help improve safety for people walking and riding in Brisbane. The consultation was the first step in gathering feedback on this important issue as part of Council’s Citywide Pedestrian Safety Review.

The feedback has been used by Council to help identify and prioritise pedestrian safety projects across Brisbane, alongside input from the Queensland Police Service’s crash data, pedestrian and traffic counts, and traffic speed data.

On Wednesday 5 December 2018, Council released the Move Safe Brisbane consultation report. The consultation report summarises the feedback received from the community during the Move Safe Brisbane consultation phase regarding pedestrian and cyclist safety improvements.

For more information, download the:

Move Safe Brisbane is a key initiative of the Transport Plan for Brisbane - Implementation Plan 2018, with a commitment to improving pedestrian safety.

Interim report recommendations

In September 2018, the below Citywide Pedestrian Safety Review interim report recommendations were announced by Lord Mayor Graham Quirk.

Ann Street speed reduction

The Ann Street speed reduction was introduced on Monday 5 November 2018 to improve safety for all road users. The speed reduction is from 60 km/h to 40 km/h on Ann Street (between Creek Street and the Riverside Expressway) in the Brisbane CBD.

Council installed highly visible speed limit signage and road markings to advise motorists of the new 40 km/h speed limit on part of Ann Street (between Creek Street and the Riverside Expressway).

The change to the Ann Street speed limit followed the standard speed limit review process and was endorsed by the Speed Management Committee which includes representatives from the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR), the Queensland Police Service (QPS) and Council. The speed reduction also brings this section of Ann Street into line with the majority of CBD streets that are 40 km/h.

Albert Street scramble crossings

The Albert Street pedestrian scramble crossings were introduced at the Albert Street and Charlotte Street intersection, and the Albert Street and Mary Street intersection on Wednesday 28 November 2018.

Council installed highly visible signage at both intersections to advise pedestrians of the scramble crossings.

Scramble crossings allow pedestrians to cross the intersection in all directions at one time. They also help to improve safety by removing conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians. The revised traffic signal sequencing prohibits vehicles from turning across the travel path of pedestrians on a green signal.

Village precinct speed reductions

Lower speed limits provide all road users more time to make safer decisions and have been shown to reduce the likelihood of crashes and the severity of any injuries.

On Tuesday 28 May 2019, Council reduced the speed limit from 60 km/h to 40 km/h at the following locations:

  • Old Cleveland Road and Logan Road, Stones Corner (between Montague Street and the O’Keefe Street roundabout)
  • Oxley Road, Corinda (between the Hassall Street and Martindale Street intersections).

Changes to the speed limits at these locations followed the standard speed limit review process and were endorsed by the Speed Management Committee which includes representatives from TMR, QPS and Council.

Council also investigated a speed limit reduction from 60 km/h to 40 km/h through the intersection of Mains Road and McCullough Street, Sunnybank. Following a formal investigation, due to the traffic conditions recorded during this investigation, a speed limit reduction will not be introduced at this location. The investigations undertaken by Council followed the standard speed limit review process.

Adelaide Street mid-block crossing

On Monday 1 July 2019, Council opened a new pedestrian crossing with traffic lights on Adelaide Street between Albert and Edward Street. The new signalised crossing provides pedestrians with an additional crossing option on Adelaide Street to help improve safety for all road users.

Final report outcomes

On Wednesday 5 December 2018, Council released the Move Safe Brisbane Citywide Pedestrian Safety Review public website report.

For more information, download the:

The public website report outlines the nine pedestrian safety outcomes, with the 31 recommended projects listed as follows:

Outcome 1: Speed limit reductions (including village precincts)

On Wednesday 4 September 2019, Council reduced the speed limit at the following locations:

  • Beaudesert Road, Moorooka (from Durack Street to Dora Street - also mentioned under outcome 7 for Senior Citizens safety zones), from 60 km/h to 50 km/h
  • Station Road, Indooroopilly (from Musgrave Road to Coonan Street), from 50 km/h to 40 km/h.

On Thursday 5 September 2019, Council reduced the speed limit at the following locations:

  • Riding Road, Hawthorne (from Wynnum Road to Lytton Road), from 60 km/ to 50 km/h
  • Flinders Parade, Sandgate (from Second Avenue to Ninth Avenue), from 50 km/h to 40 km/h.

On Friday 14 February 2020, Council reduced the speed limit from 50 km/h to 40 km/h in the Kelvin Grove Urban Village at the following locations:

  • Blamey Street, between Kelvin Grove Road and Victoria Park Road
  • Carraway Street, between Musk Avenue and Victoria Park Road
  • Musk Avenue, between Kelvin Grove Road and Victoria Park Road
  • Ramsgate Street, from Blamey Street to termination.

On Friday 28 February 2020, Council reduced the speed limit from 60 km/h to 50 km/h in West End at Montague Road, between Drake Street and Vulture Street.

On Friday 3 July 2020, Council reduced the speed limit from 60 km/h to 50 km/h in West End at Montague Road, between Jane Street and the end of the road.

Changes to the speed limits at these locations followed the standard speed limit review process and were endorsed by the Speed Management Committee which includes representatives from TMR, QPS and Council.

Council also investigated speed limit reductions on Lutwyche Road at Lutwyche and Vulture Street at West End. Following a formal investigation, a speed limit reduction will not be introduced at these locations due to traffic conditions recorded during the investigation. The investigations undertaken by Council followed the standard speed limit review process.

Outcome 2: Pedestrian protection at traffic signals

Council has investigated pedestrian protection measures at the following traffic signals:

  1. Cavendish Road and Old Cleveland Road, Coorparoo (near Coorparoo State School)
  2. Mains Road, Sunnybank (seven signalised intersections along Mains Road)
  3. George Street right turn into Elizabeth Street, Brisbane City
  4. Albert Street double right turn into Elizabeth Street, Brisbane City
  5. Elizabeth Street double left turn into Creek Street, Brisbane City
  6. Creek Street double left turn into Ann Street, Brisbane City
  7. Edward Street double right turn into Ann Street, Brisbane City
  8. Ann Street right turn into George Street, Brisbane City
  9. Edward Street left turn into Elizabeth Street, Brisbane City.

Pedestrian protection means traffic signals are revised to provide pedestrians with more time to safely cross the road before a vehicle can turn across their path. Upgrades to fourteen of these traffic signals have been completed, with upgrades to Ann Street and Creek Street currently under construction.

Further improvement opportunities at the Edward Street double left turn into Ann Street traffic signals has been identified and listed for future funding consideration.

As part of these investigations, Council installed a scramble crossing at the intersection of Albert Street and Elizabeth Street, Brisbane City on 23 January 2020. Scramble crossings allow pedestrians to cross in any direction at one time and help to improve safety by removing conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians.

Outcome 3: Signal phase alterations

Council developed a prioritised list of potential signal phase alteration projects following further review of the Move Safe Brisbane data, previous correspondence and current traffic signal phasing plans. Since June 2019, Council has implemented improvements at more than 26 intersections across Brisbane.

Outcome 4: Slip lane reviews

Council has conducted slip lane reviews to identify safety improvements at the following locations:

  1.   Ann Street and Creek Street intersection, Brisbane City
  2.   Mains Road and McCullough Street intersection, Sunnybank
  3.   Old Cleveland Road and Harries Road intersection, Coorparoo
  4.   Bridge Street and Honour Avenue intersection, Chelmer
  5.   Logan Road and Chatsworth Road intersection, Greenslopes
  6.   Bowen Bridge Road and Butterfield Street intersection, Herston
  7.   Vulture Street, Stanley Street and Dock Street intersection, South Brisbane
  8.   Montpelier Road, Markwell Road and Abbotsford Road intersection, Bowen Hills
  9.   Stanley Street and Vulture Street intersection, Woolloongabba
  10.   Ann Street and James Street intersection, Fortitude Valley.

Investigations have been finalised at eight of these locations, with planning completed that will guide future upgrade works when budget becomes available. Investigations at the Ann Street and James Street intersection, and the Bridge Street and Honour Avenue intersection are pending final traffic surveys, which will be completed this financial year.

Construction to improve slip lane safety at the intersection of Ann Street and Creek Street is underway.

Outcome 5: Road safety reviews

Council has conducted road safety reviews at the following locations:

  1. Ipswich Road, Annerley 
  2. Boundary Street, West End.

As a result, Council has identified a number of recommendations for investigation to improve pedestrian safety. An action plan has been developed and Council has explored the following recommendations:

  • pedestrian warning signage improvements (Boundary Street)
  • road lighting improvements (Ipswich Road)
  • review of footpath conditions (Ipswich Road)
  • speed limit review (Ipswich Road)
  • future road upgrade planning at crossing points (both locations).

Council is also continuing to working with the QPS Forensic Crash Unit to improve investigations at crash locations.

Outcome 6: Four-lane zebra crossing reviews

Council has investigated possible improvements at the following locations with existing zebra crossings:

  1. Orange Grove Road, Salisbury
  2. Logan Road, Woolloongabba
  3. Logan Road, Holland Park West
  4. Gladstone Road, Highgate Hill.

Improvement options have been identified to guide future road upgrades, pending budget availability. Interim measures have been implemented to improve pedestrian warning signage at all locations.

Outcome 7: Senior Citizens’ Safety Zones

Council has investigated Senior Citizens’ Safety Zones at the following locations:

  1. Beaudesert Road, Moorooka
  2. Old Cleveland Road, Stones Corner.

At both locations, speed limits have been reduced to allow road users more time to make safer decisions. Signal phase timings and pedestrian protection have also been reviewed to ensure pedestrians have adequate time to safely cross the intersections.

Following on from this outcome, Council is delivering the Safer Paths for Seniors program to help Brisbane's senior citizens travel safely around our city. 

The program will build new pathways, widen existing pathways and complete missing sections of footpaths in areas and suburbs commonly accessed by our senior citizens. Additionally, the program will explore opportunities for safety improvements at pedestrian crossings and traffic signals.

Outcome 8: Improving safety at key locations

  1. Council has developed a Move Safe Plan template to be used by high-volume pedestrian destinations, such as universities, hospitals and retirement villages. The template is also suitable for destinations where users may have cognitive or physical impairment. Council has been working with hospitals since early 2019 to develop Move Safe Plans for their facilities.
  2. Council will also continue to conduct pedestrian safety reviews at high-volume pedestrian destinations in response to concerns raised by the community or government officers as part of ongoing operational activities.

Outcome 9: Communication and enforcement

Council will continue to work with QPS to design a coordinated behavioural change and enforcement approach to improve pedestrian safety across Brisbane. Council will also consult with TMR to ensure coordination of messaging and campaigns where possible. 

  1. Council hosted Move Safe Brisbane information stalls at Sunnybank Plaza to distribute pedestrian safety materials to culturally and linguistically diverse communities on the following dates:
    • Thursday 29 August 2019, 5-7pm
    • Saturday 31 August 2019, 11am-1pm
    • Sunday 1 September 2019, 11am-1pm.
  2. Council hosted a Move Safe Brisbane information stall at the Lord Mayor's International Student Friendship Ceremony at Brisbane City Hall on Wednesday 30 October 2019.

Council will continue to identify opportunities to attend existing community meetings to engage with culturally and linguistically diverse community members about road and pedestrian safety as part of ongoing operational activities.

More information

For more information on Council’s Pedestrian Safety Review, phone Council on 07 3403 8888. 

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Topics: safety

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