Research and publications

A good cycle path has no driveways crossing it unless there is ample unimpeded visibility between driveway users and the path. In practice, this means that a cycle path must be separated from the boundary (from where driveways emerge) by at least 7 m. Where a cycle path is close to the boundary, cyclists are unable to stop in time to avoid hitting (or being hit by) a car emerging from a driveway.

This paper from the 2003 NZ Cycling Conference reports on the development of the NZ Supplement. Both the Guide to Traffic Engineering Practice (GTEP) Part 14 and New Zealand's Manual of Traffic Signs and Markings (MOTSAM) are widely used in New Zealand to provide guidance for the design of cycling facilities. However, these documents provide conflicting advice in a number of areas. The Supplement attempts to reconcile these issues and provide "best practice" design guidance for New Zealand conditions.

This presentation about the Development and Delivery of a Technical Training Course was given to the 2003 NZ Cycling Conference at the in North Shore.

Axel Wilke attended the Velocity Conference in Paris in 2003. Reporting back to an audience at Christchurch City Council, he presented some of the major impressions from the conference.

This paper summarises research undertaken for Transfund New Zealand (now Land Transport NZ) by MWH New Zealand Ltd in Christchurch between October 2001 and May 2002 to evaluate automatic bicycle counting technologies. A comprehensive report of the research findings has been published as Research Report No. 230 entitled “Evaluation of Automatic Bicycle Counters in New Zealand”.

A literature review and consultation with key staff in road controlling authorities were undertaken to select the types of equipment to test. Rigorous testing was performed on two commercially-available pneumatic rubber tube traffic counting machines. Tests were undertaken both off-street (to simulate conditions in parks and on cycle paths) and on-street in mixed traffic, to simulate typical conditions for cyclists, where cycling data are typically unavailable. Other types of equipment were not tested and may be satisfactory for counting bicycles.

This remit was given to the Traffic Management Workshop (TMW) at the 2002 annual meeting in Rotorua. It draws the following conclusions:

• Transfund has approved funding for development stage
• Funding for delivery stage yet to be secured
• First course possibly in April 2003

This remit about the project evaluation manual (PEM) was given to the Traffic Management Workshop (TMW) at the 2002 annual meeting in Rotorua. It draws the following conclusions:

• Transfund now provides funding for cycle projects
• Simplified procedures based on estimating cycle AADT
• Author can make spreadsheet procedure available on request

A consortium has been formed to develop a technical training course for traffic and roading engineers who want to learn more about how to plan and design for cyclists. A grant application was put to Transfund, the Government funding agency for transport projects, in April 2001. This paper, from the 2001 NZ Cycling Conference, reports on the progress to date.

Presented at the 2001 NZ Cycling Conference, the author believes that the research will enable to judge more accurately the impact of different types of roundabouts on the safety of cyclists, but also on other road users. It is hoped that definite recommendations can be made with regards to safer roundabout design. As a result, road-controlling authorities may have to apply more stringent checks before commissioning new multi-lane roundabouts. It is also possible that current design standards may have to be changed.

This paper compares the functional road classification systems of Christchurch and Toronto. Both systems have local, collector, minor arterial and major arterial roads, but Toronto has expressways as well. The classification systems have a number of common criteria used to classify roads. In addition, each city has some requirements not used by the other.

This paper makes a case for reviewing the country’s road classification systems and then reviewing the classification of individual streets, jurisdiction by jurisdiction, based on commonly-agreed criteria.