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The Not So Humble Footpath - A Fair Go For The Community
The South Australian branch of AITPM conducted its annual seminar for 2005 on 22 November in conjunction with the National Council meeting in Adelaide at the Stamford Plaza Hotel. The seminar ‘The Not So Humble Footpath - A Fair Go For The Community’ was sponsored by Best Pavers and SKM and we thank them for their support. The focus of attendance was local government and footpath users and 84 people attended.
Seminar attendees numbered 84 with most from Local Government
After a few words from the AITPM National President, Garry Mason, the SA branch’s new patron, the Hon Patrick Conlon MP Minister for Transport Energy and Infrastructure opened the seminar as his first official duty to AITPM. The Minister highlighted the importance of the footpath to the community and was presented with a plaque to mark the occasion by the National President.
Minister Conlon is presented with his Patron’s plaque
by National President Gary Mason
In South Australia footpaths on all roads are the responsibility of local government and it was pleasing to see a good representation from that area.
The Seminar proper then got off to a bright start with a presentation by the local Branch President, Jeremy Woolley, on the history of the footpath and its evolution over the ages supported by a quick trip around the world to learn what others are doing with their pedestrian spaces.
The Keynote Address was presented by the local roving reporter for the ABC who regaled us with his cynical observations of a layman’s perception of the footpath. The man in the red car who does the traffic reports and social commentary during peak hours was amazed to find, during his research for the topic of access for people with disabilities that there is a myriad of obstacles deliberately placed along our footpaths to increase the social exclusion of this sector of the community. Needless to say he became a convert to the cause for which he was rewarded with an honorary AITPM membership for 12 months. Hopefully the AITPM will be more involved with Tim when he covers traffic and planning matters into the future.
Tim Noonan is presented with a year’s honorary membership
by branch president Jeremy Woolley
Following morning tea the first technical session covered some of the requirements for facilities that need to be incorporated into footpaths. Tom Eldridge–Smith from the Public Transport Division of DTEI presented on Accessible Bus Stops. This gave the audience a look at the statistical demographical data used to work where and why we place bus stops where we do and unveiled the proposed layout for new bus stops which promote bus stop accessibility for all. Churchill Fellowship Prize Winner, Amelia Starr, presented on the current requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act in respect to footpaths.
Ben Stapleton from Sinclair Knight Mertz presented a paper written by a colleague on the challenges facing people who relied on gophers for mobility and it was a timely reminder that designers need to be aware of the parameters required for these types of vehicles.
Ron Somers, an epidemiologist from the Department of Health showed some data on injuries from pedestrian spaces. Ron taught a valuable lesson in that people do not always use spaces in the manner for which they were originally designed.
Ron Somers from the Department of Health provided an entertaining insight
into footpaths from an epidemiological perspective
Following Lunch, Pam Dean, a Senior Occupational Therapy Educator, conducted a hands on workshop session for all participants using case studies of footpath users who were intimidated by, or had difficulty using, footpaths. Participants, in small groups, were asked to consider how these problems may be overcome and present solutions to the other groups using the seven principles of Universal Design. The session became a bit controversial when the traditional engineering approach was challenged.
Following afternoon tea, the final technical session was designed to enunciate different perspectives about footpaths and the way they are considered by the various disciplines involved in planning and design. This was done through the eyes of a Social Planner, an Urban Designer and a Traffic Engineer.
Dr Lorraine Kerr, a Social Planner with the City of Salisbury provided an insight into the dilemmas facing planners in the provision of access for all. James Hayter, an Urban Designer with Oxigen, provided examples of how innovative design can enhance issues of access. Patrick Trimboli from the City of Salisbury looked at the issues from a Traffic Engineering perspective and challenged his peers to expand their traditional approach and become proactive in the provision of access for people with disabilities.
Overall the Seminar challenged whether enough was being done to improve access for people with disabilities and it made attendees aware of the need to do more for this group in our community. It is not good enough to say that there are no funds available to make footpaths more accessible to provide the important social contact that our less fortunate people need – we need to operate smarter and commit funds to develop facilities proactively rather than reactively.
Thanks must go to Patrick Trimbole for pursuing his idea of this seminar through to its successful realisation. Also, the support of the SA branch committee in performing all the background work, in particular: John Willbery, Bill Cirocco, Amber Semler, Edi Winkler, Jasmina Jovanovic, Nick Meredith and Geoff Manuel.