Projects

ViaStrada undertook research both domestically and overseas to produce a major discussion document for the New Zealand Transport Agency.

The "think-piece" looks at ways of optimising New Zealand's road transport network. Seven themes are explored through a literature review, five overseas case studies and 30 New Zealand "best-practice" examples.  The themes are:

ViaStrada researched continuous cycle counting technology for the New Zealand Transport Agency. By "continuous" we mean counts of a few months duration or longer. Shorter-term counts (days or weeks) are probably best done by conventional rubber tube cycle counters, although this decision may best be made based on value for money of the various options. The aim is to provide road controlling authorities and others in New Zealand with information on the effectiveness and availability of these tools.

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:

This study built on previous work by ViaStrada with assistance at different stages by Beca and MWH. The premise is that a cycle route provides a certain level of service to potential users if it lies within a certain distance of them, whether they be residents at their homes, school or university students at their schools or people at work. Cycle routes should be provided first in areas of highest "demographic density" to achieve the "best bang for the buck".

ViaStrada was engaged by ARTA to develop a tool to convert short-term manual cycle counts to "annual average daily traffic" (AADT) estimates of cycle traffic. The methodology used standard pneumatic traffic counters with softer than normal rubber road tubes for detecting cycles.

Cycle traffic was counted at five sites around Auckland, with counts undertaken continuously for up to two weeks. In addition, manual counts commissioned by ARTA and undertaken by Gravitas during March 2007 were used to verify the reliability of the automatic counts and to help develop the tool.

Within the 4 Avenues (Central City) of Christchurch there are a considerable number of loading zones and short term parking restrictions. The City Council receives numerous requests for new loading zones, removal and alterations to existing loading zones. A comprehensive review was required so that the Council can make informed decisions.

A University of Canterbury research team (Susan Krumdieck, Andre Dantas and Shannon Page) commissioned Traffix (now ViaStrada) for the peer review phase of their LTNZ research project. The topic is fascinating – researching the interaction between energy risk (i.e. oil supply) and urban form.

An interesting read for the Traffix team and a client with lots of valuable feedback. That’s what’s called "win – win".

The work has been published as Research Report 311 by Land Transport NZ.

Christchurch City Council commissioned ViaStrada to undertake a queue and delay study on the Lowther Street approach to Main South Road (SH73A), where the main road is subject to queuing back from the Sockburn Roundabout.