Speed Management in NZ - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Speed Management in NZ �������������������������������������������

The agenda� 1. Benefits of reduced traffic speed (10 min) 2. Speed Quiz (15 min) 3. Barriers to reducing speed (15 min) 4. Some ideas on reducing speed (15 min) 5. Workshop: Application for Nelson (15 min) 6. Conclusion (20 min)

30 km/h: less cycle facilities needed Wellington

30 km/h feels safe�

We love 30 km/h!

Better for business (Invercargill)

Higher property valuations (Christchurch)

Speed Quiz: 12 roads • [Change Powerpoint slideshow, 12 photos] • What do think the posted speed limit is for each photo? • Given the variety of potential users, what do you think the speed limit should be? • Answers for posted speed limit will then be given, the person with most correct wins the chocolate bar!

“Safe speeds” Safe speed Roads with possible conflicts between cars and 30 km/h unprotected road users Intersections with possible lateral conflicts 50 km/h between cars Roads with possible frontal conflicts between 70 km/h cars Roads on which frontal and flank conflicts with > 100 km/h other road users are impossible ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ��� � ��� ����������������������������������������������������������������������������� ��������� !!"#

Barriers to reducing speeds: 1. Lack of practitioner willingness 2. Will increase journey times 3. Traffic calming is expensive 4. The rules for reducing traffic speed limits are restrictive 5. Public don’t want reduced traffic speeds

1. Lack of practitioner willingness

“Roading Improvements”

2. Reduced traffic speeds will increase travel times (Auckland)

3. Traffic calming is expensive

3. Traffic calming is expensive

4. The rules for reducing traffic speed limits are restrictive Section 3.2(5), Setting of Speed Limits allows local councils relative freedom to set appropriate speed limits

5. The public don’t want reduced traffic speeds Strong support in Pt Chev, Auckland for permanently reduced speeds� • 90% agreed to 30 km speed limits around schools • 68% agreed with the idea of reducing the speed limit (only 25% disagreed) Queen St, Auckland� • 76% of respondents to public consultation agreed to 30 km speed limit

Residents in support�

“You see more at 30 km/h”

Welcome!..

Fast driver in Fast car on Fast road� �driving slowly!

Ideas • AreaEwide, lowEcost, community enhancing traffic calming • Access, Collector, Rural

Connecticut, USA

Connecticut Seattle, USA

Collector Roads

Rural Roads

“2 minus 1”

Workshop • AreaEwide, lowEcost, community enhancing traffic calming • Please choose an example in Nelson/Tasman, can be Access, Collector or Rural roads • Report back after 20 minutes

Conclusion Key messages: 1) The single most costEeffective tool to reduce frequency and severity of crashes, whilst also improving safety for vulnerable road users, is to reduce the speed of traffic 2) There is strong support for reduced traffic speeds from the wider community but not certain groups, eg: AA, Trucking and other transport lobbyists 3) The Setting of Speed Limit rules rating system is inadequate and thus should generally be ignored. The rules do also allow reasonable freedom to the RCA to set speed limits. 4) Best practice safe speeds are: • Possible conflicts between cars and unprotected road users: 30 km/h • Intersections with possible lateral conflicts between cars: 50 km/h • Roads with possible frontal conflicts between cars: 70 km/h • Roads on which frontal and flank conflicts with other road users are impossible > 100 km/h 5)Traffic Note 43 states that the average speed limit must be within 5km/h of the posted speed limit. This is largely irrelevant because our key concern is the 85th percentile speed. 6) Our challenge is that we have fast cars in fast cars on fast roads 7) Suggested approach to reducing traffic speed (at lowEcost) is to implement areaEwide, psychological techniques that also beautify the streets/enhance the community. Eg: trees to reduce sightElines, removal of centreElines, narrower traffic lanes, angle parking, raised pedestrian crossings, etc.