Transport Systems Operation Data Project

Abstract

The Queensland Government in partnership with the Australian Government and the City of Gold Coast (City) is delivering Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3 (GCLR3), which will extend the current light rail network by 6.7 kilometres from Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads along the Gold Coast Highway. As construction activities have commenced, they are inevitably affecting the local community and overall transportation system, typical of major transport projects. To help mitigate these impacts, the City is supporting various measures, including the "Love Your Local" campaign. This campaign encourages people to support local businesses by promoting foot traffic and offering incentives and vouchers to customers who shop locally. The focus areas of the "Love Your Local" campaign are: • 'Get more from Mermaid' • 'Make Nobbys your next stop' • 'Keep Miami moving' • 'Keep Burleigh buzzing' Additionally, the City is closely monitoring the broader transport effects through its data program. By analysing real-time traffic data, such as volume trends, travel time reliability, travel speed, and parking occupancy, they can track visitation rates to the affected regions. Economic indicators, such as local spending, help identify changes in shopping habits. These leading indicators play a crucial role in detecting issues or emerging trends, allowing for timely intervention. This paper aims to provide an overview of the City's role in supporting the delivery of GCLR3, emphasising that it is more than just a transport project; it significantly contributes to the city's infrastructure development. Furthermore, the paper will discuss the methodology used to collect and analyse data, which proves instrumental in minimising the impact of GCLR3 and potential disruptions to the transport network, local businesses, and the community.