Streets and People

On today's People and Projects episode of the Streets and People podcast, Blair Turner, a leading road safety expert, discusses the Austroads guide "Facilitating Speed Management Change: Example Case Studies from Australia and New Zealand." Drawing on his international experience and consultancy work, he unpacks key lessons from real-world examples, focusing on how to effectively implement speed reductions. The conversation explores the role of local governments, the importance of communication and community engagement, and how speed management links to broader outcomes like health, equity, and environmental sustainability. Turner highlights the practical strategies that make change possible—and the pitfalls to avoid.The new Austroads document on speed case studies (https://austroads.gov.au/publications/road-safety/ap-t381-25)The World Bank guide to speed management (https://www.globalroadsafetyfacility.org/publications/guide-safe-speeds-managing-traffic-speeds-save-lives-and-improve-livability)The Speed management hub (https://www.globalroadsafetyfacility.org/speed-management-hub)The Guide to Mobility for Livable Pacific Cities (https://www.theprif.org/community-of-practice/15th-prif-community-practice-guide-mobility-for-livable-pacific-cities)GetAroundCaboolture.au

What if the real danger on our streets isn’t reckless drivers—but the people who designed them?In this powerful People and Projects episode of The Streets and People Podcast, traffic engineer and author Wes Marshall joins the show to unpack the hard truths behind his provocative new book, Killed by a Traffic Engineer. With two decades of experience and a sabbatical spent studying global best practices—including time in Australia—Marshall invites us to rethink everything we thought we knew about road safety.Why do our roads still kill thousands each year, even as technology advances? Because, as Marshall reveals, many of our transportation systems are built on outdated assumptions, misaligned priorities, and silent values that prioritise speed over human life. And the worst part? We often blame the victim—labeling crashes as “accidents”—instead of fixing the systems that enable them.This episode is a must-listen for city planners, engineers, elected officials, and anyone who’s ever wondered, “Why isn’t my street safe?” Marshall makes the complex accessible, using bite-sized chapters in his book and clear language in this interview to show how small changes—and smarter questions—can lead to life-saving results.Whether you’re a professional or just passionate about safe streets, this conversation arms you with the insight and confidence to speak up, push back, and demand better. Because safe design isn’t a luxury—it’s a choice.Where to buy Wes' excellent book new, used or ebook: https://booko.com.au/9781642833300/Killed-by-a-Traffic-Engineer-Shattering-the-Delusion-That-Science-Underlies-Our-Transportation-SystemCheck out Wes Marshall's website: Wes MarshallAnd on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/wesmars.bsky.socialGetAroundCaboolture.au

Why should we care about where we park? According toepidemiologist Michael Garber, the answer goes far beyond convenience. In his conversation with Wendy on this People and Projects episode on the Streets and People podcast, he reveals a surprising connection between parking policy and community health. Parking lots aren't just empty space, they contribute to the urban heat island effect, reduce green areas, increase flooding risk, and deepen car dependency. These design choices fuel air pollution, traffic injuries, inactivity, and even social isolation. Worse still, they hit vulnerable communities hardest, compounding inequity. Garber makes a compelling case: rethinking how we plan and price parking isn't just about urban design - it’s a public health intervention. If city leaders and individuals act with health in mind, we can build greener, safer, more equitable places for everyone.Here's Michael's article, Parking & Public Health (open access): https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40572-024-00465-4If you'd like to know more about Michael, check out his website https://michaeldgarber.github.ioGetAroundCaboolture.au

In this People and Projects episode of the Streets and People podcast, we chat with Susan Leadbetter, a leader in gender-inclusive design and transport. Susan shares insights from her work with over 600 women across the UK, exploring how safety and accessibility shape public transport experiences, especially for women and marginalised communities. Susan provides practical solutions like better lighting, wayfinding, inclusive design from the start, and how collecting the right data can lead to better decisions. Susan also highlights the value of engaging underrepresented voices in planning and design, and how small changes can make a big difference.Susan's White Paper Cultivating Inclusive and Green TransportRecommended articlesHow Can We Design Cities That Are Safer For Women? | Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)Advancing Safe Community Spaces for All | WSPWe also discuss Marina Milosev’s episode and how her work connects with Susan’s GetAroundCaboolture.au

Why are pedestrians packed onto narrow footpaths while cars glide through wide, empty lanes? In this People & Projects episode of the Streets and People podcast, Wendy speaks with Chris de Gruyter, researcher at RMIT's Centre for Urban Research, about why street space so often feels unfair—and what we can do about it.Chris shares the simple but powerful story that sparked his work: watching foot traffic squeeze past a busy Malaysian restaurant while car lanes sat mostly empty. That moment led to a study of 60 shopping strips across Melbourne, where he found a pattern—people were crammed into a small fraction of street space, while vehicles were given far more than their share.Traditional ways of measuring street use, Chris explains, often focus only on car flow. But people walking use space differently. He describes the new methods he developed that account for how people move, gather, and spend time, adjusting for space efficiency. His research shows that when you measure what's happening on the ground, the case for reallocating space becomes clear.Chris and Wendy also talk about how local governments started using parklets and outdoor dining to rethink street design during COVID-19. They explore challenges like public resistance to losing parking spots, and how to tackle those barriers through better community engagement and smarter policy.If you're wondering how we can make streets more vibrant and equitable—not just for drivers but for everyone—this conversation offers a hopeful, practical roadmap.🎧 Listen in to hear why measuring time and presence on our streets might be the key to unlocking better places for us all.Link to research paper that develops six measures of street space use: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0966692325000882The research paper that compares street space allocation with street space use in Melbourne’s activity centres: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S096669232200062XThe working paper that compares street space allocation with street space use for individual activity centres across Melbourne: https://cur.org.au/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/street-space-allocation-study-final-working-paper-september-2021.pdfThe Cities People Love article about street space allocation and use: https://citiespeoplelove.co/article/street-space-allocation-and-use-in-melbourne-s-activity-centresWe also mention these episodes:James Reynolds on bike lane implementation https://getaroundcaboolture.au/s2e12-pp-james-reynolds-james-reynolds-on-what-it-really-takes-to-get-kids-riding/Rod King on 30kph https://getaroundcaboolture.au/s1e24-pp-rod-king-20s-plenty-in-the-uk-discusses-how-to-get-safe-street-speeds-from-30mph-50kph-to-20mph-30kph/Becky on driving at 30kph https://getaroundcaboolture.au/s1e53-ned-becky-shares-her-experiences-disliking-driving-at-30kph-to-finding-it-enjoyable/Lisa Stafford on Trips Not Made https://getaroundcaboolture.au/s2e10-pp-lisa-stafford-on-transport-equity-why-trips-not-made-matter/GetAroundCaboolture .au

In this conversation, Professor Lynette Cheah, a sustainable transport expert from the University of the Sunshine Coast, dives into efficient urban mobility and the environmental impacts of electric vehicles. She explores urban freight challenges and equitable access to transport, highlighting the importance of community involvement in shaping policies. Lynette emphasizes collaboration for real-world applications of research, the role of behavioral change in reducing car dependency, and opportunities for upcoming PhD students interested in sustainable transport.

James Reynolds, a traffic engineering and road safety researcher, shares his expertise on promoting cycling among schoolchildren. He discusses nine pragmatic strategies to enhance community engagement and support for bike initiatives. Key highlights include the importance of tailored reporting to convey safety data, the need for strategic planning to align cycling goals with broader transport visions, and the advantages of participatory processes to identify barriers. James emphasizes incremental changes and pilot projects to build a culture of cycling that feels both feasible and enjoyable.

Robert Martin, an architect and researcher based in Copenhagen, shares his fascinating journey from Australia's Blue Mountains to urban design across the globe. He introduces the innovative 'Mobility Diet,' a flexible tool for discussing city transport options. The conversation dives into how city designs, like those in Copenhagen and Paris, influence mobility choices, emphasizing cycling and multimodal integration. Martin also highlights the importance of community engagement and sustainable planning in fostering better urban spaces.

Dr. Lisa Stafford, an ARC Future Fellow at Griffith University, delves into the critical issue of transport equity for people with disabilities. She discusses the concept of 'Trips Not Made,' highlighting how lack of transport leads to job losses and social isolation in regional areas. Lisa emphasizes the importance of local advocacy and practical solutions, like safety tech for public transport. Additionally, she shares insights on transforming research into actionable policies and the need for community-driven efforts to enhance inclusivity in transport.

Freeways keep growing, but where does that leave you if you don’t drive? In this People & Projects episode of the Streets and People podcast, Emeritus Professor Peter from the University of Queensland explores how Southeast Queensland’s urban sprawl and road-heavy planning have shaped the way you move. He shares childhood memories of walkable neighbourhoods, unpacks the decades-long grip of the roads lobby, and looks at how political choices keep cars in control.You’ll hear about shrinking green spaces, the disconnectbetween transport planning and real needs, and the limits of current infrastructure. With insights from Brisbane’s busways and Melbourne’s rail network, the discussion turns to practical fixes—like smaller electric buses and smarter public transport. When streets are built for speed instead of people, what does that mean for your future?Looking for the article on the 200km city? You'll find it here. www.GetAroundCaboolture.au