Section 9 - Ground Transport Plan - Melbourne Airport

9. Ground Transport Plan
Ground Transport Plan :: 9
As Melbourne Airport grows, getting passengers, staff
and visitors to and from the airport precinct in a timely
and efficient way will become increasingly important.
With continued growth in aircraft movements and
passenger numbers, it’s critical that Melbourne Airport
has a vision and systems to manage the growth of
infrastructure and services to overcome transport
network congestion now and into the future.
The Melbourne Airport Ground Transport Plan 2013
replaces the Melbourne Airport Ground Transport Plan
2009 and is the first to be incorporated into the Master
Plan, in compliance with amendments to the Airports Act
1996 (Airports Act), and sets out Melbourne Airport’s
areas of transport focus over the next five-year period
(2013–2018).
9.1 Overview and Objectives
Melbourne Airport’s vision is for an interconnected
ground transport system that supports safe, efficient and
reliable journeys for all modes of transport. The Ground
Transport Plan outlines how this will be achieved.
Access to the airport is currently limited to road-based
public and private transport. Demand levels at peak times
result in congestion and queues on some roads leading to
the Terminal Precinct. The road network is well structured,
as the original airport development includes excellent
connectivity to state arterial roads and a sound internal
road network. The airport’s growth now calls for the
internal transport network to be reinforced to meet the
increased demand, as well as a renewed emphasis on
making greater use of high-occupancy vehicles, preferably
not just road-based. These initiatives must be supported
by reliable and efficient transport links between the
airport, the Melbourne CBD, the local region and the
wider metropolitan area.
Travel demand modelling shows that passenger numbers
will increase to approximately 64.37 million per year by
2033. To support this growth, the airport requires a
multi-modal ground transport system that can meet
the requirements of a 21st century capital city airport,
underpinned by 24 hours a day, seven days a week
access, efficiency, safety, sustainability, customer
choice and value for money.
It’s not just passengers who have to get to and from the
airport more efficiently. More than 14,300 people work in
airport-related jobs and that number is expected to grow
to 23,000 by 2033, making the airport a major centre of
employment and economic activity.
Exporters across Victoria also depend on reliable access
to the airport so they can transport their products to
interstate and overseas markets. Better transport
connections to the aviation gateway will contribute
to economic productivity.
The Ground Transport Plan provides an integrated
framework to improve transport access to the airport.
It is also linked with land use planning outlined in this
Master Plan.
Melbourne Airport is committed to working with
governments and the relevant authorities to implement
the Ground Transport Plan and jointly develop better road
and transport connections.
For the first time, this plan also outlines a long-term
solution to the ongoing congestion experienced in peak
periods. This includes developing the elevated loop road
and ground transport hubs.
DRAFT
The objectives of the Ground Transport Plan are to:
• improve ground transport access for all modes of
travel, including a rail link
• provide a transport network capable of meeting
projected demand over a 20-year period
• separate different transport modes to improve safety
and reduce congestion, which will involve separating
passengers and vehicles
• integrate the airport’s ground transport network
into the wider local and state-wide networks
• encourage a range of travel modes to provide
equitable travel for the airport’s users
• support safe, secure and sustainable transport solutions.
Reducing congestion in and around the airport will be
critical to the success of the Ground Transport Plan.
9.2 Existing Ground Transport System
9.2.1 External Road Network
Melbourne Airport relies on both internal and external
road systems. These networks are fundamental to
the airport’s operation and provide access for public
transport, shuttles, taxis, freight, aviation support vehicles,
emergency services and private vehicles. Table 9.1
describes the prominent arterial/access roads to
Melbourne Airport.
MELBOURNE Airport Master plan 2013 – PRELIMINARY DRAFT : : 103