"As a parent I can empathise with all the other parents for both schools involved with this project. One of the busiest roads in Sydney could be easily crossed by students trying to get to the bus stop or train station. Six lanes of fast moving traffic."
"It was great to see the local council not only install pedestrian fencing on the median but also the pedestrian bridge to keep the kids safe. Best of all it works for both schools on either side of the road"
ENCAT was contracted to supply a Type 5 Pedestrian Fencing run for the median that ran between Wiley Park Public School and Lakemba Public School in Sydney, NSW. King Georges Road is one of Sydney’s busiest main roads and at this site there were two schools as well as public transport in the vicinity.
Prior to the installation of the pedestrian bridge and walkway there was only a single traffic light crossing for the six lane main road. This would get very congested during peak school times and impatient students could be seen dodging traffic as they rushed to catch a bus or train on the opposite side of the road.
King Georges Road carries a lot of heavy vehicle traffic as it is the main corridor for trucks to get from the inner west suburbs to the M5 freeway or further south to the Pacific Highway to head south.
Why was Type 5 Pedestrian Fencing needed between these schools?
The local council and schools wanted to improve safety levels for the students and pedestrians who were all using this very busy footpath area either side of the road. As you can see in the top down map view there are shops, bus stops & the train station within a few hundred meters of the schools on either side of the road.
There is just one traffic light intersection servicing the area which just adds to the temptation for people to try and skip the traffic by trying to get across the road directly. The media strip makes this even more attractive as it provides refuge for the trip across the road.
Nonetheless it is a potentially hazzardous situation because of the high volume of vehicles passing by, the large number of pedestrians and the width of this main road with its six lanes of traffic. The council realised that installing the walkway bridge wouldn’t be enough so the planning began to install Pedestrian Fencing on the median as well.
What is the benefit of using Pedestrian Fencing near schools on main roads?
Improved safety for students
The most important benefit is improving student safety. We all know what it can be like when kids or teenagers decide to flout the rules and try and beat the traffic. A simple installation of safety fencing stops that immediately.
You can’t climb over Pedestrian Fencing
A picture tells a thousand words doesn’t it.
While it is a cliche you can see just how much of a visual deterrent the Pedestrian Fencing installation is on this media strip. The design of the Type 5 Pedestrian Fencing is quite simple to ensure there is maximum visibility for motorists & the panels don’t have areas that can be used to climb on or over. If standard guardrails were used then it might be possible to climb over them.
Traffic flow control
Immediately it deters people from trying to cross the road and will force pedestrians to look for alternatives. In this case it is the walkway over the road or the traffic light crossing. Nothing else is as effective other than a tall brick wall.
With the fencing run extended from the traffic lights to well beyond the other side of the walkway it means there are not even any shortcuts to be taken, you simply have to cross at the designated safe areas that have been created.
Cost savings
The other benefit is that it effects the flow of students from both schools so it adds to its value. Luckily there is the median strip which means costs are reduced as well because only one run has to be installed vs doing two runs in front of each school.
Type 5 Pedestrian Fencing for other locations
Type 5 Pedestrian Fencing can be used in lots of different applications whether it is on a median or a verge, straight road or corner, residential or even retail shopping area. No matter the location it can be used to change the flow of pedestrian foot traffic quickly.
Custom made Pedestrian Fencing installations
ENCAT regularly works with civil works contractors, local or state government departments to design, manufacture and install Pedestrian Fencing to suit unusual applications. We have been doing this since 1989
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