Left turn treatments at signalised intersections presentation

Megan Gregory recently presented the findings of ViaStrada's white paper, Left Turn Treatments at Signalised Intersections: A Safety Review, at the Signals NZ User Group (SNUG) Workshop in September 2026.

The research examines the safety performance of various left-turn treatments at signalised intersections, with a particular focus on how these designs affect people walking and cycling. Drawing on international literature, current practice, and emerging evidence, the review challenges some long-held assumptions and explores opportunities for improving safety outcomes while balancing operational requirements.

The presentation generated considerable interest and discussion among practitioners from across New Zealand's traffic signals, transport planning, and road safety sectors. Attendees engaged actively with the findings and their implications for future intersection design and guidance.

Feedback from the audience reflected both the relevance and impact of the research:

• "At first, this felt like a breath of fresh air. But that doesn't give it justice. It was a stiff breeze!"
• "You must submit this as an item for the next edition of Roundabout."
• "Have you submitted this as an abstract for the Transportation Conference?"

The enthusiastic response highlights growing industry interest in evidence-based approaches to improving intersection safety for all road users. The discussion sparked by the presentation reinforces the importance of continuing to examine how intersection treatments influence risk and user behaviour, particularly as New Zealand seeks to deliver safer and more accessible transport networks.

The full white paper, Left Turn Treatments at Signalised Intersections: A Safety Review, is available here.