Future City plan drives proposal for nose-in parking

Rethinking the way Orange motorists use their cars is central to the Future City plan to transform the centre of Orange into a more walkable precinct.

Part of the plan is to slow cars down to make the area more pedestrian-friendly.

But, while slowing traffic down is safer for pedestrians, it is important to keep traffic flowing to avoid delays and frustration for motorists.

That’s why nose-in, angled parking has been proposed to replace rear-to-kerb parking and parallel parking in the CBD.

Austroads is the collective of Australian and New Zealand transport agencies, representing all levels of government.

The Austroads Guide to Traffic Management 2020 says angled parking can accommodate up to twice as many vehicles as parallel parking and nose-in angled parking is the preferred option in most situations.

In fact, it says, rear-to-kerb parking is illegal in a number of jurisdictions, such as South Australia.

Austroads prefers nose-in parking because:

• It keeps traffic flowing in a one lane traffic environment.
• Vehicle exhaust emissions face away from the footpath, pedestrians and outdoor dining.
• Vacant spaces are clearly visible and a motorist is able to slow down and move directly into a parking space causing little delay to following motorists.
• Motorists reversing out from the parking bay can select a time when passing traffic will not be disrupted.
• A stationary motorists about to reverse into the parking bay tends to disrupt passing traffic by trapping a vehicle behind.
• When parking, motorists can view high kerbs and footpath obstructions more easily.
• Motorists are not reversing into a pedestrian environment. Vehicle attachments such as tow bars and bicycle racks also pose a hazard to pedestrians when overhanging the edge of the kerb.

However, Austroads says rear-to-kerb parking has its applications, for example:

• When loading or unloading vehicles, because the rear of the vehicle is facing towards the footpath
• Reversing out of a nose-in parking space involves some of the vehicle protruding into the roadway before the driver can see oncoming traffic, affecting traffic and cyclist safety. A motorist about to drive forward from a rear-to-kerb space has a relatively good view of approaching traffic and cyclists.

Orange City Council encourages members of the community to share their feedback on the Future City plan.

Take our survey and let us know what you think.