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Subject: Wed.23.3.22 daily digest

Roderick

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Wed.23.3.22 Metro twitter
Flinders St: still with a lane closed for tunnel works? [reopened by July]
Pakenham line: All trains will not stop at Hallam until the last train of Sun 1 May (level-crossing work).
17.56 Pakenham/Cranbourne lines: Major delays due to an operational incident near Westall. This is mainly impacting citybound services. Check platform display screens and listen for announcements as services may be held or altered at short notice.
- 18.00 clearing.
Pakenham/Cranbourne lines: Buses replace trains Caulfield - Westall from 20.30 until the last train (works), adding 40 minutes.
Buses replace trains North Melbourne - Upfield from 20.35 until the last train  (maintenance works).
20.43 Pakenham/Cranbourne lines: Major delays (police near Dandenong).
- 21.00 Trains may terminate/originate at intermediate locations.
- 21.03 clearing
Craigieburn line: Buses replace trains Essendon - Broadmeadows from 21.00 until the last train (works).

Woman left with traumatic brain injury after alleged bus assault. Brooke Grebert-Craig March 23, 2022 Greater Dandenong Leader
Victoria’s top cop has described an alleged bashing of three women on a bus in Doveton as “cowardly” as police continue to hunt for the thugs.
Investigators have released an image of two males who may be able to assist with enquiries after three women were allegedly assaulted in Doveton. Picture: Victoria Police
Police are hunting for a group of eight men who were allegedly behind a “cowardly” attack of three women on a bus in Doveton.
It’s alleged three females were kicked and punched by the thugs on the 828 bus from Dandenong train station to Box St around 7.40pm on February 26.
One woman suffered a mild traumatic brain injury and a broken nose and the other two victims sustained bruising.
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton described the alleged attack as “cowardly” and “ridiculous”.
“It was actually a very serious attack,” Mr Patton said.
“For something like this to happen on public transport is just horrendous, obviously very disturbing.”
Mr Patton said police were still searching for the offenders after investigators released an image of two males who may be able to assist with their enquiries.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
More Coverage
Elderly man hospitalised after suspicious blaze
Peak-hour delays after person hit by train
<www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/south-east/woman-left-with-traumatic-brain-injury-after-alleged-bus-assault/news-story/e8fc06e90d3a4a685c75dcb599eff11e>

Melbourne hit-and-run blamed on Tesla Autopilot, could set legal precedent for new tech. William Davis 23 March 2022. 141 comments
A first-of-its-kind court case could establish legal precedent for the use of autonomous vehicle tech in Australia.
A hit-and-run incident in Melbourne yesterday could set a legal precedent for the use of autonomous driving technologies in Australia.
At approximately 6:30am in the south-east suburb of Armadale, 23-year-old P-plater Sakshi Agrawal (shown below) allegedly hit a pedestrian while behind the wheel of her Tesla Model 3 and subsequently fled the scene.
Two hours later she reportedly returned to where the critically injured victim was being treated, and turned herself into police – however, she allegedly attempted to diminish responsibility by claiming the car's ‘Autopilot’ system was responsible for the accident.
‘Autopilot’ is the brand name for Tesla’s suite of widespread driver assistance technologies, including lane-keep assist, autonomous emergency braking, and radar cruise control which combine for 'Level 2' assisted driving on motorways.
An optional 'Full Self-Driving' package includes additional functionality – available primarily in overseas markets – however neither system currently provides full vehicle autonomy.
While overseas authorities and industry analysts have previously argued these names are deceptive and may lead consumers to incorrectly assume the car is capable of driving itself, the manufacturer requires all users to accept responsibility for the vehicle’s control prior to use.
Drive understands yesterday's accident presents a legal minefield and could involve the interpretation of laws which are yet to be tested – potentially setting Australian precedent moving forward for driver culpability when using autonomous technologies.
David McCarthy – a former journalist and current consultant for automotive manufacturers – told Drive the incident and upcoming court case will be significant for two reasons: It will set a precedent for driver culpability in the eyes of the law, and will set a precedent for insurance companies paying out claims based on 'driver responsibility'.
“The comprehensive insurance on the car is unlikely to pay for the damage if she says she wasn’t in control of the vehicle … Further, to my knowledge there hasn't been a case in Australia involving the use of autonomous technology in an accident and it will be up to the court to determine liability here."
While the Model 3 Long Range and Performance models are listed as prohibited for P1 and P2 drivers in Victoria – given their power to weight ratio – the VIN number associated with the '00X' number plates suggests the Model 3 in question is a legal single-motor Standard Range Plus variant.
While Tesla is the only car maker to use the 'Autopilot' moniker, most marques offer a similar suite of technologies across their petrol and electric ranges. Drive understands several manufacturers and importers are following the case closely.
Drive has reached out to a spokesperson for Victoria Police for further information on the case, and this story will be updated with its response. A spokesperson for Tesla was also contacted for comment, however, the marque has a policy of not responding to media inquiries.
Sakshi Agrawal has been granted conditional bail, despite police protesting she poses a flight risk. She is due to next front the Melbourne Magistrates court on 14 June 2022.
The victim of the alleged hit-and-run – who The Age reports is a 26-year-old health worker – remains in a critical condition in Alfred Hospital, where she had been working at the time of the accident.
Photo Credit: Nine News
<www.drive.com.au/news/melbourne-hit-and-run-blamed-on-tesla-autopilot-could-set-legal-precedent-for-new-tech>

Tram passenger fighting for life after Tesla hit-run in Armadale.  Laura Placella, Brianna Travers, Genevieve Alison and  David McCowen. March 23, 2022
Tesla drivers are being warned about using “autopilot” in the wake of an alleged hit-run in Melbourne’s inner east.
video: 26 year old woman left fighting for life after horror hit and run in... A woman is fighting for life in Alfred Hospital after being hit by a Telsa while boarding a tram in Armadale, Melbourne.
Tesla drivers are being warned not to take their attention off the road when using “autopilot” in the wake of an alleged hit-run in Melbourne’s inner east.
A woman who works for Victoria Police has been accused of mowing down a pedestrian and fleeing the scene in a Tesla in Armadale.
A 26-year-old Armadale woman was struck by a light-coloured sedan travelling along Wattletree Rd about 6.30am on Tuesday.
Sakshi Agrawal, 23, appeared in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday evening charged with multiple driving offences.
She was granted bail, hours after allegedly hitting and critically injuring Nicole Lagos, who was boarding a tram in Armadale shortly after 6.30am.
The Melbourne Magistrates’ Court heard Ms Agrawal, a former computer science student, had her model 3 Tesla set to “autopilot” when she allegedly struck Ms Lagos on Wattletree Rd.
The court heard the Mount Waverley woman “panicked” and drove away before returning to the scene two hours later to hand herself in to police.
Ms Agrawal had previously been fined for speeding and works full-time as a loading dock manager contracted to Victoria Police, the court heard.
Police opposed Ms Agrawal’s release on bail, arguing she posed a flight risk as she was currently on a bridging visa.
Her student visa ended last year after she completed a Bachelor of Computer Science at Deakin University. The court heard she was now on her partner’s bridging visa.
Defence lawyer Greg Thomas told the court his client was a young woman with no prior convictions who had been “extremely cooperative” with police.
The magistrate agreed and granted Ms Agrawal bail.
“This is very serious offending, but taking those matters into account … I’m satisfied that compelling reasons exist and any unacceptable risk can be reduced or immolated to an acceptable level,” he said.
The court banned Ms Agrawal from driving and ordered her to report to police twice a week ahead as part of her bail conditions.
Police collect evidence from the scene on Wattletree Rd. Picture: Laura Placella
Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Jarrod Dwyer said the female driver “immediately panicked” after hitting the pedestrian and allegedly fled, before returning to the scene soon after to hand herself in.
Sergeant Dwyer said the driver was required to stop and give way to pedestrians as the tram came to a halt and opened its doors.
The driver’s partner, who brought her back to the scene, said she did not need to be convinced to hand herself in.
“She would have come back anyway,” he said.
Sergeant Dwyer said the driver expressed remorse when she was taken into custody.
The fact she returned to the scene to hand herself in reduced her “moral culpability”, he added.
“However, the fact that they didn’t stop to assist is an issue,” Sergeant Dwyer said.
“We appreciate that people will panic in a situation where they’re involved in one of those collisions, but it’s always best to stop.”
The crash victim was rushed to The Alfred hospital, where she is understood to be in a critical condition.
A blue face mask, believed to belong to the victim, could be seen lying on the road as police scoured the scene.
The 26-year-old woman works for Alfred Health, the same health service which is currently treating her, it has been revealed.
Local resident Sophie Gohl said she frequently saw the 26-year-old waiting for the tram on Tuesday mornings.
“I recognise her (as) the sole person that’s sitting at the tram stop,” Ms Gohl said.
“She had an Alfred Aged Care black shirt on.
A woman handed herself in after the crash. Picture: Laura Placella
“It seems like she actually works for the organisation where she’s getting care.”
The Alfred has its aged care ward at its Caulfield Hospital, 3km from where the victim was waiting for her tram.
Another local, Vanessa Sorensen, said she heard a “huge bang” as she walked past the tram on her way to yoga.
“I turned around, I went back and (the woman) was lying on the road,” Ms Sorensen said.
“I went over to her and she was barely conscious, lying on the ground with a terrible head wound and leg wound.”
She said she did not hear the sound of screeching brakes, nor did she see the car flee the scene.
Both Ms Gohl and Ms Sorensen, as well as an off-duty nurse, tended to the victim before an ambulance arrived.
This alleged hit-run is understood to be about the sixth the state has seen since the beginning of the year.
Ms Agrawal will return to court in June.
CAUTION OVER TESLA’S AUTOPILOT
The Herald Sun understands this is the first time a Tesla with Autopilot technology has been involved in a crash resulting in a fatality or serious injury in Australia.
Motoring expert and EV Central editor Toby Hagon said semi-autonomous driving technologies – or advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) – were “not perfect”.
“They’re basically there to assist the driver,” Mr Hagon said.
“They can avoid a crash. They can reduce the severity of the crash. But, at the end of the day, the driver is the one responsible.”
The crash victim is in critical condition in The Alfred hospital. Picture: Laura Placella
He said thousands of scenarios play out on our roads that would be extremely difficult for a computer to try to work out.
Tesla describes its Autopilot technology on its website as requiring “active driver supervision” and says it does “not make the vehicle autonomous”.
The technology enables the car to “steer, accelerate and brake automatically within its lane”.
In addition to Autopilot, a model 3 Tesla provides “visual and audible warnings” when there is a high risk of a frontal collision, and has automatic emergency braking.
However, Tesla’s Autopilot has been linked to the deaths of several customers overseas.
Many other crashes have also been linked to the technology, including 11 collisions with first responder scenes in the US.
Mercedes-Benz and Toyota have sent prototype vehicles to Melbourne to study how autonomous cars should interact with trams.
And Lexus joined a University of Melbourne study in Carlton establishing wireless communication between cars, trams and road infrastructure in 2021.
The study could lead to autonomous cars automatically stopping near trams, pedestrian crossings and red lights.
Anyone with information or dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
<www.heraldsun.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-victoria/tram-passenger-fighting-for-life-after-hitrun/news-story/5250a726f72fc64dd9da58c5adb3a583>

Free buses for Tasmanians initiative launched for five weeks to ease cost of living. David Killick March 23, 2022. 114 comments
Tasmanians tired of the rising cost of petrol have praised the state government’s free bus ride initiative, while others claim it is the worst ‘super-spreader’ idea yet. HOW IT WILL WORK >>
video: Carsales.com sees a profit boost during COVID Carsales.com CEO Cameron McIntyre says the inability to travel overseas and interstate was one of the reasons for the profit boost the online marketplace saw during the COVID-19 pandemic. This comes as its net profit lifted 22 per cent to about $75 million in the half year. Mr McIntyre told Sky News Australia "certainly" one factor is people seeking to buy cars to avoid public transport for health reasons. "I think the other elements to it are also closed borders, border restrictions, people can't take the interstate or the international holidays so they've gone back into cars, gone back into camping and all those other lifestyle things that people once used to do a lot more of. "So that's certainly been a driver as well."
Tasmanians tired of the rising cost of petrol have praised the state government’s free bus ride initiative, while others claim it is the worst ‘super-spreader’ idea yet.
ALL bus journeys will be free of charge for five weeks from March 28 to help ease the cost of living, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Michael Ferguson said on Tuesday.
The measure was intended to help cut offset rising petrol costs, to boost bus patronage and cut congestion, Mr Ferguson said.
Bus traffic in Elizabeth Street in Hobart. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE.
The five weeks of free travel will apply to public scheduled services provided by both Metro and private operators.
“The Tasmanian Government will foot the bill for this initiative, which has the dual purpose of supporting family budgets and encouraging commuters to switch from private car travel to public transport,” Mr Ferguson said.
Infrastructure and Transport Minister Michael Ferguson announces a five-week trial of public transport at the Executive Building in Hobart on Tuesday, 22 March 2022.
“While higher fuel prices are due to global fuel market uncertainty, we understand the impact it is causing on cost of living pressures.
“The Tasmanian Government heavily subsidises Metro and other private providers of public transport around the state.
“At this point, we see a temporary, highly attractive measure such as free bus travel as one option the Tasmanian Government can activate to ease cost of living pressures.”
Importantly, it also encourages Tasmanians who aren’t already in the habit of catching buses to give them a try and enjoy the convenience and price advantage.
Mr Ferguson said an adult travelling on a Metro urban zone 1 trip would save $5.60 a day, travellers from Sorell to Hobart could save $15.20 on a return trip, travellers from Westbury to Launceston would pocket a benefit worth $22.80 and Port Sorell to Devonport $27.80 for return trips.
What you think
Steve Denehey: Just like in Luxembourg. Such a progressive idea Dean Miles: I think the government needs to bring this in permanent for at least 6 months to help people cope.
Malcolm Merchant: No doubt the cost of car registrations will increase to cover the loss of revenue.
Ashley Gangler: I’ll definitely be using this service!️ It costs around $5 to the city anyway! So I’ll be saving $ Tammy GK: Such a super spreader idea and couldn’t be at a worse time with the new strain of Covid in our state. Bad idea.
Aisha Paulsen: Can’t believe people have bad things to say about an initiative like free transport.
I have dreamed of free public transport for over 20 years. Thank you to the government for creating opportunities for the public to keep moving during this fuel crisis. Next free dental!
Tim Brooks: So the Tas govt expects fuel prices to return to affordable levels in 5 weeks? Love their optimism
Month-long trial for free public transport
THE state government is expected to announce a month-long trial of free public transport on as part of a bid to offset the rising cost of living due to petrol prices.
The Mercury understands the measure will be announced as early as Tuesday.
Government-owned public transport operator Metro Tasmania provided free services between
March 2020 and July 2020 as a response to the pandemic.
Generic pictures of Metro bus in Hobart. Picture Nikki Davis-Jones
Minister Infrastructure and Transport Michael Ferguson said: “the Tasmanian Liberal Government continues to focus on matters Tasmanians really care about and as foreshadowed last week we are considering public transport options to alleviate the impact of current higher fuel prices on the cost of living.”
Metro Tasmania made $10.68m in revenue from ticketing in 2020/21 amid a slight decrease in patronage that was attributed to the pandemic.
Will you catch free buses? Yes No
<www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/monthlong-trial-for-free-public-transport-in-tasmania/news-story/b62cca5a4bc7d80f8bb951064dee4281>

Wed.23.3.22 Melbourne 'Herald Sun'.  'AUTOPILOT' TESLA IN HIT-RUN.  GENEVIEVE ALISON
A WOMAN who works for Victoria Police has been given bail after being accused of running into a pedestrian and fleeing the scene in a luxury Tesla car in Melbourne's inner east.
Sakshi Agrawal. 23. was set to be released from the Prahran police station on Tuesday evening, hours after allegedly hitting and critically injuring Nicole Lagos who was boarding a tram in Armadale shortly after 6.30am.
The Melbourne Magistrates Court heard Ms Agrawal, a former computer science student, had her Tesla Model 3 set to "autopilot" when she allegedly struck Ms Lagos on Wattletree Rd.
The court heard the Mount Waverley woman "panicked" and drove away before returning to the scene two hours later to hand herself in to police.
Ms Agrawal had previously been fined for speeding and works full time as a loading dock manager contracted to Victoria Police, the court heard.
Police opposed her release on bail, arguing that she posed a flight risk as she was on a bridging visa.
Her student visa ended last year. The court heard she was now on her partner's bridging visa.
Defence lawyer Greg Thomas told the court his client was a young woman with no prior convictions who had been "extremely cooperative" with police
The magistrate agreed and granted Ms Agrawal bail. "This is very serious offending. but taking those matters into account  I'm satisfied that compelling reasons exist and any unacceptable risk can be reduced or immolated to an acceptable level," he said.
The court banned Ms Agrawal from driving and ordered her to report to police twice a week ahead as part of her bail conditions. She will return to court in June.

Wed.23.3.22 Melbourne 'Herald Sun'.  Letters:
* ONE steam locomotive might look much like another to most of us, but not to the well-trained eye of a lifelong railway enthusiast.
As several train lovers pointed out, the smaller picture on our last Flashback Friday was indeed Heavy Harry, aka H220, but the bigger photo showed his mate, goods train engine C10.
* These float our boat. COLLEEN, from Cheltenham. spotted a clever boat name: "A Salt Weapon".
And John, from Pakenham. chuckled at one he saw: "C Gull".
* It doesn't cost $1.7m to install 28 bollards. That is not a cost blowout, that is a rort.
* TRANSPORT Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan claims the federal government has failed to give Victoria its fair share in transport project funding (HS, 22/3). Hard tojustify such a claim when Dictator Dan has generously given away $3bn of taxpayers’ money earmarked for the East- West Link and the West Gate Tunnel project - for zero in return.
* I TAKE issue with Jacinta Allan's comment (YV, 22/3), "Victorians voted for projects like Melbourne Airport Rail Link, North East Link, and the Suburban Rail Link" - we did not. These projects have been devised and approved by city- centric persons who have ignored rural and regional residents, community feedback, neglected to provide proper business cases,
and who are spending taxpayer dollars as if we all have bottomless pockets. Jacinta Allan and her party believe the state of Victoria ends at the West Gate Bridge, Pakenham and Mickleham.
* THE public deserves to see the cost analysis for the 28 bollards that are going to cost $1.7m. Is someone getting a kickback or are they having to employ three stop and go sign holders?

Wed.23.3.22 Melbourne 'Herald Sun'.  Bike lanes help city
BLAMING bike lanes for traffic jams is flawed logic. Traffic studies show more road space for cars leads to more people driving, making congestion worse.
If we provide safe and reliable travel alternatives, everyone benefits. For drivers, it means less time in traffic. For everyone else, the environmental and productivity benefits are huge.
The return to city offices is just ramping up but the Herald Sun’s recent traffic count shows cyclists already account for one in four vehicles on Melbourne’s streets. This compares to one in five cyclists prior to Covid-19 and one in 20 back in 2007.
Research shows safety is the No 1 barrier for people who are interested in cycling, but don’t. Council data recorded an 80 per cent jump in people travelling on protected bike lanes during February, compared with the previous month.
Combined with separated cycling corridors, we can get the city economy moving again by encouraging people safely back on public transport through cheaper bus fares and permanent off-peak travel discounts.
If we don’t make a change now towards safe and more reliable alternatives to car usage, our traffic will keep going in the wrong direction. And that will undermine the city’s revival.
Jonathan Spear. CEO. Infrastructure Victoria