- Network operations research needs
- Freight industry research needs
The aim of this project is to further our understanding of Fremantle container trade and its relationship to freight transport usage across Perth and Western Australia. A particular focus of the project is to assist in the analysis of intermodal freight activity and to inform government policy aimed at improving intermodal usage into the future.
Around the world, cities are embracing micromobility as an option for the freight challenge in cities – including lightweight vehicles such as e-bikes, e-cargo bikes, trolleys, and drones. This research project seeks to consider the applicability and potential for micromobility to assist with the last mile freight task in the Perth CBD and other built-up areas.
It will also explore issues related to applying micromobility freight solution to the last mile delivery in major activity centres in Perth by establishing baseline knowledge of micromobility and last mile freight from global case studies and test scenarios of potential micromobility solutions in the Perth metropolitan region.
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MRWA have a well-managed road network, handling high freight vehicle volume on some routes, such as Fremantle to Kewdale. Freight vehicles are slow to start when stopped at traffic signals, thus leading to slow moving traffic following it. A Freight Route Priority (FRP) system will be trialled with the aim of reducing the number of stopping and starting events for freight and improve the overall travel time of freight vehicles on the route. The purpose of this research project is to evaluate the trial, analysing data from the various systems involved as well as conducting a survey of road users to answer questions regarding the effectiveness of FRP solution in improving traffic performance along freight routes, as well as assessing the impacts of FRP on all road users, inclusive of heavy freight vehicle operators. Enabling FRP across key intersections is expected to yield significant benefits to both the Freight Industry and MRWA, including reduced congestion, stop/start noise, vehicle emissions, fuel consumption and improved safety for all road users. The research will provide an objective and analytical outcome to assist MRWA with their future planning and decision making with regards to FRP.
This research will provide insights into the transport infrastructure needed to ensure the road freight transport network can continue to support the substantial freight task in Australia’s North-West, now and into the future.
The project is intended to update freight movement forecasts with associated road freight network implications for Australia’s North-West, focusing on the Pilbara and Kimberley regions.
Given significant changes in the resources industry landscape since previous forecasts undertaken in 2011, there is a need to account for substantial increases in the inbound logistics demand due to growth in the iron ore sector and resulting construction-related activities, as well as future trends in commodities and renewable energy industries.
Accordingly, this research aims to understand current and future flows of freight, based on an analysis of future trends in mining, oil and gas and renewable energy industries, and impacts on the road freight network.
Analysing future trends of freight movement in relation to current capacity of the road system, this study will identify potential constraints on the network and propose strategic options to support planned development.
Current planning frameworks and guidelines for Perth/Peel focus on freight movement between ports, primary industries and industrial areas, inadequately addressing last kilometre freight. The nature of last kilometre freight and the character of Perth/Peel is changing planning design guidance for last kilometre freight.
This project undertakes a robust and systematic approach to define the last kilometre freight challenges and opportunities in Perth/Peel, specifically focusing on the food and beverage (F&B) sector.
Last kilometre freight opportunities can offer more sustainable forms of freight than what is currently available. The challenges need to be well-defined to identify the most appropriate opportunity. It is also crucial to consider practical issues (e.g. parking issues), potential demand (e.g. locations and safety) and other wider street and land use issues (e.g. implications to land use, street environment and other street users).