New look travel

By Judy Wolff
A PILOT project encouraging non-car transport is being developed for the Talaskia Road precinct in Upper Ferntree Gully.
With a combination of minor infrastructure additions, such as bike racks and signage, plus incentives for groups using the area, the project aims to change travel behaviour to alternative methods.
The green travel plan, prepared by Knox’s sustainable transport planner Melissa Sparrow and approved by Knox City Council last week, outlines the rationale and methods of the pilot project.
If successful, methodology from the Talaskia Road project will be used to develop a green travel plan for the Knox Civic Centre and a master green travel plan for the municipality as a whole.
The project has a budget of $160,000, a grant from the Department of Infrastructure’s TravelSmart program, and will take three years to complete.
The pilot project will see green travel plans developed for workplaces, including the Angliss Hospital, sporting organisations and the primary school along Talaskia Road.
The benefits of such programs, says the report, include reducing parking sprawl, congestion and gas emissions and increasing safety, fitness levels and community connection.