Cycle counting in NZ

This project consisted of two components:

• an internet-based survey of road controlling authorities (RCAs) and regional councils about their experience and interest in counting cycle traffic, either manually or automatically, and
• a literature review of traffic-counting technology able to detect and monitor cycle traffic on a continuous basis.

The survey of councils and Transit offices found that:

About half of the RCAs and regional councils that responded to the survey have counted cycle traffic in recent years:

• Two-thirds of those that reported counting cycle traffic use manual counts only.
• About two-thirds of respondents have cycle infrastructure projects in their forward works programmes.
• Most of the 11 agencies that count cycle traffic automatically use MetroCount 5600 or 5700 series counters.
• Half (18) of those agencies that do not count cycle traffic use MetroCount counters to count motor vehicles. These counters are capable of counting cycles. A further 12 agencies count cycle traffic manually but not automatically, although they use MetroCount counters to count motor vehicles. Thus, there are 30 agencies that could count cycles automatically with technology they already use.
• Two-thirds of the agencies that count cycle traffic have been doing so for three years or less.
• Only three agencies count (or have recently counted) cycle traffic continuously (for months or more at a time).
• Some respondents reported difficulty in getting MetroCount counters to count cycle traffic successfully, while others noted that care is needed to get reliable counts.

The review of continuous counting technology recommended that Land Transport New Zealand:

• obtain a Bicycle Recorder and a ZELT counter for testing in New Zealand
• commission a pilot study of the equipment – counts should be done with both counters simultaneously in a variety of locations, including both off-road and on-road sites (the counters should be calibrated against manual counts and existing loop detectors, where feasible)
• publish a report summarising the findings and recommending a counter or counters for use in New Zealand for continuous cycle counting, in both off-road and on-road situations.

The project team included Andrew and Megan. The research report is available on the NZTA website or the ViaStrada website. We subsequently undertook further research on counting technologies.