Dundee Active Freeways

In 2023, the Dundee Active Freeways project looked at six main roads in Dundee, including Arbroath Road and Lochee Road, to see if these roads could become more sustainable routes supporting improved cycling and walking infrastructure. The Dundee Active Freeways project found it possible to create these routes, which will make travel easier and more accessible.

Tayside Bus Partnership Fund (BPF) Appraisal Study

The Tayside Bus Partnership Fund (BPF) Appraisal Study evaluated various bus priority measures along the Arbroath Road and Lochee Road corridors. These measures included dedicated bus lanes and signal priority at key junctions. The study focused on reducing delays and enhancing the reliability of bus services, making public transport a better and more viable option. The proposals aimed to reduce congestion at key points and improve bus journey times, encouraging the use of public transport over private cars.

Information from this previous work has provided background to the current DSTC initiative. By combining the findings from the Dundee Active Freeways project and the Tayside BPF Appraisal Study, the DSTC project aims to deliver solutions that enhance both public transport and active travel infrastructure, ensuring a balanced and sustainable transport network for Dundee.

Study Approach

To ensure the improvements planned for Arbroath Road and Lochee Road are practical and beneficial, we are carrying out a thorough feasibility process. Here’s a simple breakdown of what we have done so far and what we’re doing next:

1. Understanding the Area: We started by studying the current conditions of Arbroath Road and Lochee Road. This included looking at existing footpaths, cycle lanes, and bus stops, as well as how people typically travel along these routes.
2. Identifying Problems and Opportunities: Next, we looked at areas where improvements could be made. This included looking at traffic patterns, road safety issues, and how accessible and user-friendly the transport options were.
3. Collecting Data: We gathered data on walking, cycling, public transport use, and accident spots. This helped us see where improvements were most needed.
4. Exploring Solutions: We used the collected information to explore ways to improve the corridors along Arbroath Road and Lochee Road. We considered things like new cycle paths, better pedestrian crossings, bus priority lanes, and more efficient bus stops.
5. Consulting with the Community: Engaging with local residents and stakeholders is a crucial part of our process. We want to know what people want and need from these transport corridors, so that we can make the design more attractive and tailored to the community’s preferences, ensuring it meets their needs and is effective.
6. Evaluating Options: Each option will be carefully considered. It will be evaluated on how effective it will be, how much it would cost, and how well it will work alongside the existing infrastructure.
7. Planning the Project: Finally, we will develop a detailed plan that outlines how we will make the improvements. This plan will include timelines, budget estimates, and specific actions to be taken.

By following these steps, we will ensure that the proposed changes are practical, sustainable, and meet the needs of the community. We are excited to move forwards with these improvements and make Dundee’s transport corridors safer and more efficient for everyone!

Provision Options

A number of proposals are made throughout both the Arbroath Road Corridor and the Lochee Road Corridor – please refer to the relevant project pages. The following images provide a typical cross-section of each of the provision types which are discussed through the project pages.

Bi-directional cycle track – The first image shows a typical layout for a bi-directional cycle track. There are two-way cycle tracks next to carriageways which are separated from road traffic via a buffer zone. The cycle track and buffer zone sit between the footway and road. This level of segregated cycling provision will be the preferred option throughout the corridors, as it provides the highest level of safety for all users.

Shared use footway – The second image shows the proposals for footway which is shared between pedestrians and cyclists. In areas where space is limited, this option may be considered as it segregates cyclists from road traffic. However, cyclists are not segregated from pedestrians.

Low traffic street – The third image shows a low traffic street, where pedestrians remain on footways and cars and cyclists share the road. This is a great option in locations where there is low traffic volumes and speeds. In addition, traffic calming measures such as speed humps and build outs will be considered to further slow traffic speeds and increase safety for pedestrians and cyclists.

Bus lanes – Bus lanes are special road lanes reserved mainly for buses to help them move quickly and stay on schedule. They reduce traffic congestion, encourage public transport use, and lower emissions by making bus travel more efficient. Some bus lanes may also allow taxis and bikes.