Part 1 Western Sydney Light Rail Feasibility Report - Parramatta City ...

5.3 Strategic Merit TestA Strategic Merit Test (SMT) was undertaken on the 15 corridors shown in Figure 5.2. The purpose of theSMT was to define the higher priority corridors. All the links in the network were established as strategicallyimportant through the planning process outlined in the development of the Western Sydney Public TransportNetwork. This test assessed the corridors against seven criteria under the following headings:• Enhance the transport network:• City shaping:• Accessibility:addresses a gap in the networkimproves quality of transport connectionsupports identified dwelling and employment growth along corridorsupports identified dwelling and employment growth at destination centresconnects communities with education and healthconnects Parramatta with surrounding centresserves areas with significant existing population.The criteria were collaboratively developed and agreed between by the project team and are based on thetransport and land use related project objectives for this Feasibility Study. The assessments using the criteriawere made individually, with a common assessment confirmed by the project team thereafter.Figure 5.3 below highlights the five preferred corridors arising from the SMT:• Corridor 1: Castle Hill–Parramatta• Corridor 2: Macquarie Park–Parramatta• Corridor 5: Rhodes–Parramatta• Corridor 6: Burwood–Parramatta• Corridor 9: Bankstown–ParramattaThe proposed network has identified more potential corridors in the east than the west as the western studyarea is already served by mass transit such as the western line, South-West and North-West T-ways.18 Parramatta City Council Western Sydney Light Rail Network - Part 1 Feasibility Report