More pedestrians in NewQuay

By Sunny Liu

Pedestrian numbers have been surging in NewQuay, according to the data from the City of Melbourne’s pedestrian counting system.

For the past two years, the number of pedestrians at NewQuay has been increasing by 20,000 each year, from 114,000 in July 2014 to 160,000 this July.  

The monitors detect the number of pedestrians during each hour of the day and send it to the pedestrian counting system, which generates data about pedestrian activities in various locations in Melbourne’s CBD, Southbank, North Melbourne and Docklands.  

Apart from two NewQuay monitors, there are three other pedestrian monitors in Docklands – Victoria Point, Southern Cross Station and Webb Bridge. 

The system provides valuable information about how people use the city and helps the City of Melbourne develop future plans for Melbourne’s infrastructure. 

It also gives data about pedestrian numbers during major events such as White Night Melbourne and the AFL Grand Final Parade. 

The surge in Docklands’ residential population may contribute to the increasing pedestrian numbers. 

However, the two NewQuay monitors were deactivated for more than two weeks in August this year, which the City of Melbourne says could be a result of building works in the area.

Southern Cross Station has the highest pedestrian numbers with a peak of more than 3000 per hour. 

An interactive pedestrian map is available on the City of Melbourne’s website, from which comprehensive data can be downloaded. 

“The data obtained by the pedestrian monitors could help decision makers carry out better plans on the city’s development and economy,” senior advisor at Victoria Walks, Duane Burtt, said.