This road sign, 'Velodrome park-and-ride', was designed by the Olympic Roads and Transport Authority (ORTA) to model the park- and-ride signage that would appear in Sydney during the Olympic and Paralympic Games. (Park-and-ride sites were designated areas where bus services connected spectator parking with Games venues.) The sign was displayed at the launch of the park-and-ride strategy at Bass Hill drive-in. Its design, a yellow aluminium plate with a blue coreflute attachment, was later modified to exclude the attachment and the Sydney 2000 trademark. (Though this trademark appeared on the majority of ORTA signage, it did not figure on park-and-ride signs.) Today, the sign is representative of the promotions and testing programs that ushered in the ORTA road and transport systems.

Established in 1997, ORTA was responsible for coordinating and operating transit services for the Sydney 2000 Games. This was an immense task that included the management of traffic and main roadways, the expansion and coordination of rail and bus services, and the recruitment and training of drivers and volunteers. Their services proved invaluable during the Games when the number of CityRail passengers increased by 80 per cent per day, and the number of bus passengers by 50 per cent. In addition, they developed a three- category signage system that served transport providers and the general public.

The first category, Olympic Routes, marked roadways between the Olympic Village, sports venues and major areas of accommodation. It contained four levels of signage that served primary and secondary routes, spectator routes and special purpose routes for security personnel. (Primary routes were the direct routes to and between sports venues, while secondary routes were reserved in the event of a major incident or traffic congestion.) It also indicated changed traffic conditions, such as extensions to clearways.

The second category, Venue Surrounds, indicated three types of parking restrictions around the Games venues. Special Event parking, Olympic Client parking (for ORTA vehicles) and Access Restrictions to prevent congestion at Olympic Park. During the Games, parking infringements attracted inflated fines of AUD$343.

The third category, Non-Competition/Other Signage, served public areas both in and around the city. Its five levels indicated park-and- ride sites, pedestrian thoroughfares in the city, transport interchanges, bus routes to and from the airport, and clearways for special events, such as the torch relay and marathons.

Designed by ORTA, the signage accorded with the 'Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices' and 'Road Signs - Specifications' (Australian Standard AS 1742 and Australian Standard AS 1743) that advised on the use of symbols, fonts and other design elements. This sign was designed to open outwards when the park-and-ride site was in operation, and fold shut when the site was closed.

Though the sign was developed as a model, it was probably manufactured by one of five companies that later made all signage for the Games. Hunter Valley Signs and DeNeefe Signs manufactured 90 per cent of signage, while RMS Signs, Artcraft Signs and Barrier Signs manufactured the remaining10 per cent. This sign is made from painted aluminium and

This road sign, 'Velodrome park-and-ride', was designed by the Olympic Roads and Transport Authority (ORTA) to model the park- and-ride signage that would appear in Sydney during the Olympic and Paralympic Games. (Park-and-ride sites were designated areas where bus services connected spectator parking with Games venues.) The sign was displayed at the launch of the park-and-ride strategy at Bass Hill drive-in.

Made for and owned by the Olympic Road and Transport Organisation and donated to the Powerhouse Museum after use in the Games.

Road sign, coreflute, yellow reflective background. Black directional arrow < on left hand side. Black text 'Velodrome / P + Bus'. 'Sydney 2000' logo in white text with blue background at base of sign.

Made: 2000

2001/84/550

2000

990 mm

2070 mm