Black Spot program is a road safety program, focused on reducing road crashes and saving lives. Black Spots projects target dangerous road locations where crashes are occurring or are at risk of occurring.
The project is funded through the Australian Government Black Spot Program, which prioritises cost-effective solutions to improve safety at high-risk road locations.
The City of Canning is proposing safety upgrades on Pinetree Gully Road that focus on reducing vehicle speeds, improving driver behaviour, and lowering the chances and severity of crashes by changing how roundabouts are approached.
Key treatments include:
Installation of raised plateaus at Castlereagh Close, Bernera Drive, and Werona Court
Pedestrian crossing facility upgrades at the intersection of Wainwright Close and Pinetree Gully Road
Pedestrian crossing facility improvements along Pinetree Gully Road, between Wainwright Close and Bernera Drive
Raised safety platforms are often applied at ‘simple’ intersections with stop or give way controls on lower-order roads (e.g. in residential areas) that have the potential for right-angle crashes. They can also be applied mid-block on a street.
The platforms reduce the speed of vehicles travelling through an intersection or along a street to keep speeds below serious collision thresholds (i.e. the point at which those involved in an accident would be killed or seriously injured should a collision occur).
For pedestrians and cyclists, raised safety platforms can improve safety and perceived ease of crossing. For vehicles with long-wheel bases, such as buses, raised safety platforms can be designed to minimise vehicle occupant discomfort while moving over the platforms while still reducing operating speeds through an intersection.
Raised safety platforms are just one of the treatments being constructed on local government-managed roads as part of the Low Cost Urban Road Safety Program, funded by the State Government. For further information on the program, visit Main Roads website.
Improvements are needed because Pinetree Gully Road runs through a busy area with schools, shops, recreational spaces, and community services, leading to high traffic volumes—especially during school drop-off and pick-up times. This has made the road a high-risk location, particularly for vulnerable users like students and pedestrians. Common issues include:
Vehicles travelling at unsafe speeds
Traffic congestion
Limited safe places for pedestrians to cross
These factors increase the likelihood and severity of crashes, so the upgrades aim to make the road safer for everyone.
The City aims to achieve several important outcomes with the proposed upgrades to Pinetree Gully Road. These improvements are designed to enhance safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and students by promoting safer driving behaviour and reducing vehicle speeds. Additionally, the upgrades seek to alleviate traffic congestion, particularly during school hours, leading to fewer and less severe crashes. By improving access to schools, shops, and community facilities, the project ultimately strives to create a safer, more accessible, and more comfortable environment for all road users in the area.
Based on the proposed improvements, we are seeking feedback from the community on how to enhance the current conceptual design, so we can continue developing it and move toward construction. We also welcome input on any additional elements that could further address the safety concerns at this location.
