PEECE PROJECTS
PEECE
Pty Ltd has developed expertise in three project areas: regional transport
planning for local government, conducting research in north-eastern China and
providing consulting services in heavy vehicle regulation. Below are a
list of projects that PEECE has undertaken:
2011
Transport Research Paper on
Thunderbolt’s Way
PEECE prepared a research paper on
the transport drivers for the Thunderbolt’s Way linking Gloucester, Walcha,
Uralla and Inverell and a cost benefit analysis of a pavement rehabilitation
program to bring the route to a safe and reliable standard for tourists and
local industries. The paper will be used to support an application from the
five Councils on the route for funding from the Regional Australia Fund.
Business Case for Upgrading
the Coonabarabran – Mungindi Route via Pilliga
The road between Coonabarabran and
Mungindi via Pilliga and Collarenebri serves the interests of a prosperous
agricultural community and yet still has three unsealed sections. The
Walgett, Narrabri and Warrumbungle Councils engaged PEECE to prepare a
business case for upgrading the route to a sealed standard and to assist them
seek funding from State and Commonwealth sources.
Review of Heavy Vehicle Escort
Policy
PEECE undertook a review of the
heavy vehicle escort policy for the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority. The review was prompted
by the NSW Police indicating that it wanted to withdraw from their current
role of escorting oversize and overmass (OSOM) vehicles. The review proposed a two
stage implementation. The first was for the Police to only escort vehicles
exceeding 5.5m width and/or 35m length. The role of escorting vehicles up to
that limit would be filled by the private sector with suitably accredited
drivers. The second would involve the full accreditation of escort companies
to replace the Police when and if they withdrew from all escort operations.
2010
Co-operation Agreement with the
Jilin Provincial Communications Department (JPCD)
PEECE was successful in concluding
an agreement on 12 April 2010 when a JPCD delegation visited Australia. This
agreement is under-pinned by the support of the Queensland Trade, Queensland
Department of Transport and Main Roads, Centre for Pavement Engineering
Education, ARRB Group and TERNZ (a transport research company in New Zealand).
The agreement led to a commitment to
co-operate in three areas of research which was signed on 18 September 2010
when the PEECE delegation visited Changchun the capital of Jilin Province.
The three areas of research are (1)
comparison of pavement thickness design in different countries, (2) durability
of concrete in cold climates and (3) lines and signs practices in developed
countries and contracts were signed on 25 April 2011 and 14 June 2011.
PEECE submitted Inception Reports
for the three projects in August 2011. The projects will be completed by the
end of 2012.
Road Asset Management in
Heilongjiang Province
PEECE is providing specialised
sub-contracting services to a highway maintenance study in Heilongjiang
Province. The study is a Technical Assistance project linked to an Asian
Development Bank highway loan. The expertise being provided is in road asset
management modelling and involves auditing current practices in the Province.
Commenced in 2010, this is a long-term project.
2009
Feasibility
Study for a Heavy Vehicle Alternative Route for Tenterfield
The Group
undertook a feasibility study for an alternative route for the New England
Highway heavy vehicle traffic through the town of Tenterfield in the northern
New England Ranges. The study looked at three options on the western side of
the town from an engineering cost, safety, economic viability, community and
business support, environmental and financial viability perspectives. The
report will be used to support Council’s submission for funding.
Assessment
of a Number of Roads on the Moree Plains
The Group
undertook a study of five roads for the Moree Plains Shire Council to provide
an independent assessment of their relative priority. The assessment was
based on a multi-criteria assessment of engineering cost, economic viability,
community support, regional development and financial viability. One of the
roads (Boomi – Talwood) involved a section in Queensland for which the
Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads provided financial support.
2008
Corridor
Strategies for the Leichhardt and Carnarvon Highways in Western Queensland
PEECE
provided engineering assistance to Economic Associates who were commissioned
to develop road corridor strategies for the Leichhardt and Carnarvon Highways
in western Queensland by the Queensland Department of Transport and Main
Roads.
Feasibility
Study for the Warialda – Texas Road
The Group
undertook a feasibility study to upgrade the Rural Getaway Tourist Route
between Warialda in north-west New South Wales and Texas on the State border.
The study was undertaken for Gwydir and Inverell Shire Councils in an effort
to improve the existing sealed road which was showing signs of serious
deterioration.
2006
Submissions
for AusLink Funding
The Group
assisted Wellington Council, Narrabri Council, Tumut Council and the WA TIRES
Committee in preparing submissions for regional road funding from the
Commonwealth AusLink Program. These submissions were on behalf of a number
Councils in each region.
Feasibility
Study for the Wellington – Narrabri Road
The Group
undertook a feasibility study for completing the seal of the regional road
linking Wellington with Narrabri in north-west NSW. The road has two unsealed
sections which if sealed would increase tourist activity and improve transport
efficiency in the region. The link provides an attractive alternative to the
Newell Highway for tourist and light traffic traveling from the Orange and
Parkes regions and the NSW north-west and Queensland. The report was used to
support a submission by the Councils for funding from the Commonwealth’s
regional component of AusLink.
Feasibility
Study for the Coonamble – Bingara Road
The Group
undertook a feasibility study for completing the seal of the regional roads
connecting Coonamble, Narrabri and Bingara in north-west NSW. The road link
will make a significant contribution to tourism in the region and was a high
priority for the Coonamble, Narrabri and Gwydir Councils. The report was used
to support a submission by the Councils for funding from the Commonwealth’s
regional component of AusLink.
2005
A Regional
Transport Plan for Wellington
The Group
prepared a regional transport plan for Wellington highlighting the need to
seal MR353 as part of the regional development for Wellington as a regional
sub-centre. The regional plan included a financial analysis of how much
funding was needed from each level of government.
A Regional
Transport Plan for Tumut, Tumbarumba and Gundagai Councils
The growth
of the timber industries in the south-west slopes of NSW is placing increasing
pressure on the arterial and local roads in the region. A number of studies
had been taken to identify the road needs and the Group were asked to
consolidate these studies into a single regional plan that could be used to
argue the case for additional road funding. The plan was updated in 2006 and
attached to a submission for Commonwealth AusLink funding.
2004
Road
Classification Review for Tamworth Regional Council
The Group
undertook a road classification review for the newly amalgamated Tamworth
Regional Council and prepared a submission for the RTA Review Panel. The
submission made a case to retain existing regional roads and the inclusion of
an additional road in Tamworth.
Regional
Transport Plan for Wakool and Swan Hill Councils
The Group
prepared a regional transport plan highlighting the need to seal the Noorong
Road in Wakool Shire and establishing a local bypass around Swan Hill to
support the ethanol plant proposed for Swan Hill. The plan included
infrastructure, economic and financial plans to support investment in roads
that will be used by trucks supplying corn and grain to the ethanol plant.
Regional
Transport Plan for Lower Great Southern Region of WA
The Group
developed a Regional Transport Plan for the timber industry (including the
four local councils) in the Lower Great Southern Region of Western Australia
(2004). The report was used to lobby for an increased road funding for roads
servicing the timber from both the State Government (TIRES Program) and from
the Commonwealth. The plan was updated in 2006 and attached to a submission
for Commonwealth AusLink funding.
2003
Regional
Transport Infrastructure Co-ordination Project
This study
developed a regional transport planning framework for the 13 Councils in the
Great Southern region of Western Australia. It identified regional transport
issues for the Regional Road Group (RRG) to ensure a strong local government
voice in the region on transport issues. It also developed an asset
management framework for the RRG to take at the regional level and assessed a
number of options for redefining the role of the RRG to increase their focus
on regional transport planning.
Regional
Transport Plan for Parkes
The Group
developed a Transport Plan to support the proposal Parkes Inter-modal
Transport Hub for Parkes Council. A key feature of the plan was the need to
realign the Newell Highway to ensure that the traffic generated by the
Transport Hub did not conflict with the town.
Feasibility
Study for the Waterfall Way
The Group
undertook a feasibility assessment of the Waterfall Way for Coffs Harbour,
Bellingen, Pristine Waters and Armidale Dumaresq Councils. This involved
assessing the various options for upgrading the Waterfall Way in terms of
their benefits and costs.
2001
Feasibility
Study for the Renshaw McGirr Way
The Group
undertook a feasibility assessment of the Renshaw McGirr Way for Parkes,
Cabonne and Wellington Councils. This submission resulted in $10 million
being allocated by the NSW Roads Minister to complete the seal.
