In Australia, as in many other parts of the world, concern is expressed about the effects of inappropriate traffic within residential areas. However, there are widely divergent attitudes within the community to the measures being proposed. Three cases in Melbourne are outlined to highlight the difference that the existing context, the motivation for change, and the nature of prior planning can make to the outcome. The objectives of local street management, and the results of a survey of the application in Australia of the techniques available, are discussed. It is concluded from the case studies that (a) the local community must perceive the advantages of street management, (b) it is better to act in advance of traffic problems, and (c) an agreed road classification must first be established, so that each road's acceptable function and the nature of traffic control over it can be specified. Greater consensus on objectives and evaluation criteria should then be possible. (A)
Samenvatting