Rest Area Mass Action Upgrade Project

Abstract

Transport and Main Roads Rest Area Upgrade Project (RAUP) was established as a MASS Action Initiative. Mass Action is a state funded program to implement specific treatments targeting safety issues that improve the overall state-controlled network. The purpose of the RAUP provided new and upgraded rest facilities to encourage drivers to stop and rest which may decrease fatigue accidents. TMRs construction and maintenance branch RoadTek were engaged on behalf of TMR to deliver the project. The RAUP focused on two components: - Upgrading rest areas to increase desirability for motorists to take a break and manage fatigue. - Upgrading the accessibility of rest area facilities (including amenities, picnic tables and car parks) to ensure accessibility in alignment with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) requirements. The project was awarded in mid-December 2020 for works to begin on Tranche 1 in January 2021 with completion by June 2021. RoadTek were engaged early to work together with TMR regional teams to identify and scope possible rest areas that would benefit from these works. Initial scoping identified a total of 118 sites across the entire TMR regional network from the southern border to far north Queensland. The project team encountered and overcame several challenges in the early stages, including: - lack of current detail on rest areas amenities already on the network - understanding rest area requirements for type A, B or C rest areas - understanding the funding structure and what the funding could be invested in - equipment supplies expectations (toilets, shelters, tables, and chairs) - understanding DDA compliance and requirements. The project team focused on shortlisting products that would be used across all sites and identified local businesses for supply. Required products included DDA compliant toilets, tables, chairs, and shelters. Due to the short timeframes required, to reduce supply chain risks, RoadTek used multiple suppliers for each product. The team worked with suppliers to ensure the products designed and supplied used the same product sizing and layout. This ensured engineers could produce site designs faster and contractor consistency in pricing and installation. Because most of the works were repeatable and consistent across the sites, the team implemented the LEAN construction methodology to identify improvements and innovations. As a result, one toilet supplier was able to make production improvements and implement their lessons learnt to win a major contract to supply remote product to the Australian Defence Force. Other products have been taken up by the local regional council to use within their network. The project team also engaged with and used several indigenous business and trainees throughout the project. Most of the site works were delivered using local contractors. Regional works were split into packages consisting of seven to ten sites per contractor. This reduced delivery risk around timeframes and allowed for adjustment between contractors ahead of and behind schedule. The Rest Area Upgrade project has upgraded over 90 sites across the state and injected $30M into the local economy during the recent pandemic.