A Local Area Traffic Management (LATM) device aims to manage traffic safety, whilst improving the road environment for pedestrians and cyclists through slowing vehicular speeds along a roadway.

Traffic management devices can include kerb extensions, lane narrowing, slow points, bus cushions, raised safety platforms and flat top road humps.

The installation of LATM devices support efficient travel on roads, manage the environmental impact of road traffic and improve the liveability and amenity for the community.

LATM devices are typically proposed to be installed on roads where there is problem with traffic speeds or where there is a history of road crashes. These devices are typically a road design change, designed to improve driver behaviour, reduce traffic speeds, and minimise the risk of serious or fatal crashes.

Council has a responsibility to respond to crash history and ensure the continuity of community safety for all road users, pedestrians, and neighbouring residents.

Various state regulations outline Council’s responsibilities to maintain and improve the local road network, including the following.

Road Safety Act (1986)

Outlines Council’s responsibility to provide for safe, efficient, and equitable road use. The Act also sets out the general obligations of road users in relation to responsible road use.

Local Government Act (2020)

Outlines Council’s powers and responsibility to construct, maintain and manage roads including traffic and parking.

Road Safety Regulations (1999)

Outlines Council’s authority as a responsible road authority to implement and undertake certain traffic management on local roads, and what authority is needed from the Department of Transport as the state coordinating authority.

Road Management Act (2004)

Outlines Council’s responsibility as a road authority to manage and maintain the municipalroad network and any part of an arterial road not used by through traffic excluding freeways. The Act outlines that roads are to be managed in a manner which minimises any adverse effect on the safe and efficient operation of the road and on the environment.

Cardinia Shire Council rollout of LATM treatments is also outlined and support by several key Council policies and plan such as:

Cardinia Pedestrian and Bicycle Strategy

The Pedestrian and Bicycle Strategy outlines Council’s direction on the provision of pedestrian and cycling infrastructure within the municipality. The installation of suitable LATM devices should be provided in locations where the pedestrian/bicycle network intersect with the local road network. As such, LTM devices should create a safer road environment through reducing speeds to encourage more people to utilise the footpaths and bicycle paths provided.

Liveability Plan 2017-2029

One of the main focusses in the Liveability Plan is to promote active travel throughout the shire, improving its viability as a transport option to a variety of user groups. One step in achieving this is to improve the safety of the active travel network, which can be achieved through the strategic implementation of LTM devices. This allows for vulnerable user groups to access key social infrastructure in a safer environment, providing links to schools and shopping centres as well as recreational facilities.

When concerns relating to speeding are raised by the community, Council reviews these locations and adds them to a priority list, ranking each location based on factors including:

• the proportion of speeding traffic on the road,
• accident history,
• traffic volumes, and
• the land uses of adjacent developments.

These rankings then inform Council’s decision to upgrade and install LATM devices along an existing stretch of road.

The following factors are considered for Council to decide to install LATM devices along an existing road:

• Must have a relatively straight section(s) (approx.) 200m or longer.
• Be in an urban (built up area) residential environment.
• Be in a low-speed zone environment (equal to or less than 60km/h speed zone).
• Be a sealed road.
• Have a potential suitable treatment than can be constructed/provided in the existing road environment.