IMPLEMENTING NEW TRAM PRIORITY REGULATIONS IN MELBOURNE

New traffic regulations have been introduced in Victoria enabling trams in Melbourne to be given greater spatial priority over other road traffic. The regulations permit, in addition to competitive (ie, no priority) use of the tram track lane, two levels of priority: (a) exclusive use of the track area by trams (and buses, if desired) on a part- time or full- time basis; and (b) shared use of the track area with the onus on motor traffic not to delay trams. The method of designating spatial priority and its ramifications in relation to the scheme's flexibility in handling variations and trends in road usage in an environment of conflicting institutional pressures (such as the desire to preserve kerbside parking) is discussed. The authors' understanding of the strategy for configuring spatial priority is outlined. It embodies several important principles related to comprehension, compliance, enforcement, safety, flexibility and the performance of trams and other traffic; these principles are discussed (A).